Ordinary People, Extraordinary Organizations - Part Two: Fostering Innovation and Respect

Mid-Iowa Community Action Inc. became convinced that organizations that work with at-risk people had to stop doing things for them and start showing them how to do things for themselves. Eight organizations that met criteria for excellence were examined to see how they applied 2 important keys to success: 1. innovation, and 2. respect for the people they serve. The environment for innovation was characterized by, among other things, leaders asking for innovation, innovators being recognized, and risks being shared. In the organizations studied, respect and commitment were demonstrated in a number of specific ways, among them: 1. Clients are partners. 2. Clients are not blamed. 3. Client self-esteem is built.