the growth instinct adapted for rotary clubs by dr. jimmie d. brewer 1 the “dna” of growth clubs
TRANSCRIPT
THE GROWTH INSTINCT
Adapted for Rotary Clubs by Dr. Jimmie D. Brewer
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The “DNA” of Growth Clubs
The DNA Markers
Why do some clubs consistently grow and others do not?
Are there “systemic” differences? Are there “growth genes” in the DNA of growth
clubs? I believe there are two DNA markers in growth
clubs: Marker #1 – The New Growth Cycle “Gene” Marker #2 – The Expandable Capacity “Gene”
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PART 1THE NEW GROWTH CYCLE
“GENE”
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Every Living Thing, System, & Organization has a Natural Life Cycle.
Every Living Thing, System, & Organization has a Natural Life Cycle.
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BIRTH DEATH
The Life CycleThe Life Cycle
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Three Phases of the Life Cycle
Growth CyclePlateau CycleDecline Cycle
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PotentialPotential
The Growth Cycle Begins at “Birth”The Growth Cycle Begins at “Birth”
Purpose and VisionPurpose and Vision
Constant Care & ProtectionConstant Care & Protection
BIRTH
GROWTH BEGINS
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Early Growth PeriodEarly Growth Period
BIRTH
GR
OW
TH S
PEED
S U
PLots of CelebrationLots of Celebration
ProgressProgress
Energy and ExcitementEnergy and Excitement
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Mature Growth PeriodMature Growth Period
BIRTH
GROWTH SLOWS
POSITIVEPOSITIVE
VitalityVitality
HealthHealth
StrengthStrength
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The Plateau Cycle – Stable YearsThe Plateau Cycle – Stable Years
BIRTH
STABILITY – GROWTH STOPS
AccomplishmentAccomplishment
PredictabilityPredictability
FulfillmentFulfillment
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Identifying Clubs WITHOUT the New Growth “Gene”
Have an autoimmune disorder. The immune system mistakenly can attack
healthy cells and tissues—and fails to shut off an attack (pathogens).
What are the pathogens? Plateau Virus Decline Virus
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Plateaus Virus - Believe They Can Stay in Plateau Cycle ForeverPlateaus Virus - Believe They Can Stay in Plateau Cycle Forever
STABILITY – NO GROWTH
Living Happily Ever After - Only in
Fairy Tales!
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Plateaued clubs tend to —
Hold on to the past successesBecome resistant to changeBelieve they can stay level foreverLose the drive to growEmbrace that they are just the right size
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Fall Into the Plateau TrapFall Into the Plateau Trap
We Have Reached Our “Right Size”No More Chairs – Just Us
We Have Reached Our “Right Size”No More Chairs – Just Us
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It is the nature of non-growth clubs to deny the decline as long as possible, to underestimate the decline, and then to under respond.
Declining clubs tend to —Ignore the club “cold”Treat club “pneumonia” with aspirinEmbalm with penicillin
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Decline Virus - Ignore or Minimize the DeclineDecline Virus - Ignore or Minimize the Decline
Ignore the SignsIgnore the Signs
FearFear
DenialDenial
ParanoiaParanoia
ConflictConflict
AnxietyAnxiety
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NEGATIVE GROWTH
“Prepare” for Death
DEATH
Life-Threatening Decline
Serious Decline
THREE STAGES
Early Decline
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Clubs WITH a New Growth Cycle “Gene”Clubs WITH a New Growth Cycle “Gene”
Respond when Plateaued:
Seek input from membersSeek input from members
Leadership addresses issuesLeadership addresses issues
INTROSPECTION - Open and HonestINTROSPECTION - Open and Honest
“Ignite” a new growth cycle“Ignite” a new growth cycle
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Clubs with New Growth Cycle “Gene”Clubs with New Growth Cycle “Gene”
Take Action IF Decline Begins:
Early – Greater decline = Greater ChallengeEarly – Greater decline = Greater Challenge
Accurately – Do not make excusesAccurately – Do not make excuses
INTERVENEINTERVENE
Aggressively – Decline = first stage of deathAggressively – Decline = first stage of death
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“Ignite” a new growth cycle“Ignite” a new growth cycle
New Growth Cycle “Gene” IgnitedNew Growth Cycle “Gene” IgnitedNEW
GRO
WTH
CYCLE
Lots of CelebrationLots of Celebration
ProgressProgress
Energy and ExcitementEnergy and Excitement
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IT IS THEIR INSTINCT TO GROWTHEY HAVE AN “IMMUNITY” AGAINST PLATEAU
AND DECLINE VIRUSES
PART 2EXPANDABLE CAPACITY
“GENE”
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The Concept of “Social Space”
SOCIAL SPACE AND HUMANS• People have social space capacity• Often social space is referred to as “emotional room”• This is not what is known as “physical space”• Social or emotional space capacity – defines the size
of our network
SOCIAL SPACE AND ORGANIZATIONS• Organizations have the same dynamic• A natural “disposition (programming) for social space• Growth clubs have a greater capacity for social space
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Clubs with an Expandable Capacity “Gene”
Grow from a sense of purpose
Organized in small parts to make space for all
Group heads trained to integrate new members
Club embraces diversity – in a wide range
Stable board and trained leadership
Playbooks for active committees
Club president - an administrator and motivator
Growth by expanding smaller units
Unlimited growth by expanding social space
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The Expandable Capacity Express24
Identifying Clubs WITHOUT the Expandable Capacity “Gene”
Again - have an autoimmune disorder. The immune system mistakenly can attack
healthy cells and tissues—and fails to shut off an attack (pathogens).
What are the pathogens? Clan Virus Giant Amoeba Virus
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THE CLAN VIRUS
Often seen more in smaller clubs (under 30)
But “pockets” can exist in any size club
Careful who they “let in” their group
Often sit together at “their” table
Often influenced by “matriarchs/patriarchs”
More conservative and “inward” focus
Sometimes engaged in “friendly fire”
This limits the club’s social space capacity
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NO ROOM LEFT – IN THE VAN27
THE GIANT AMOEBA VIRUS
Often seen in larger clubs – up to 70
But this virus can infect any club size
One big cell that promotes life like a “village”
President like a village chief
Big enough for action – but too big to operate like a “committee of the whole”
Lack of intentional organization – often leaves new member uninvolved – except all club events
This limits the club’s social space capacity
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NO ROOM LEFT – ON THE BUS29
PART 3PERSPECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC CHANGE
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CHANGING THE “DNA” OF A CLUB
Unlike people, clubs can change their DNA
Must be intentional and proactive
Must realize that it is not about a new tactic
Must understand that to alter a DNA – change must occur at a systemic level
Must develop new perspectives – which can create a new DNA:
• NEW GROWTH CYCLE GENE
• EXPANDABLE CAPACITY GENE
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The New Growth Cycle “Gene”The New Growth Cycle “Gene”
NEW
GR
OW
TH C
YCLE
Lots of CelebrationLots of Celebration
ProgressProgress
Energy and ExcitementEnergy and Excitement
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Perspectives for Creating a New Growth “Gene”
1. Growth is the normal state of a healthy club.
2. A plateau is a time to regroup for a new growth cycle.
3. A plateau lasting for more than 3 years is the first stage of decline.
4. Decline is first stage of death.
5. A plateau lasting longer than 3 years – or a decline is addressed aggressively.
6. Mindset – If our club is not growing – it is dying.
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The Expandable Capacity “Gene”34
Perspectives for Creating an Expandable Capacity “Gene”
It is our civic duty and mission as a Rotary Club to grow – therefore we are
passionately committed to:
1. Finding and adding new members
2. Making “space” for all members
3. Creating opportunities for all members
4. Engaging and involving all members
5. Respecting the contributions of all members
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PART 4BRINGING THE NEW “DNA”
INTO REALITY
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How To Penetrate a Club with a New “DNA”
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Everett Rogers, “Diffusion of Innovations”
Doing the Math – Club Size of 40
Innovators/Early Adopters (16%) or 6 people who totally “buy in”
Next – this group “penetrates” the Early Majority (34%) or 14 more people with new perspectives
Now ½ of the club is on on-board – tipping point or critical mass
Next – ½ of the club penetrates the Late Majority (34%) or 14 more
Now the club has 85% of members on-board
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Do Not Get Side Tracked – Stay with the Diffusion Principle
Do not try to sell the whole club at the start
Forget the nonsense of “each Rotarian bring in a new member” until you have reached a tipping point or critical mass
Do not waste time on Laggards
Stick to your message and plan
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Why Do Some Ideas/Plans Penetrate and Others Fail?
In his book, “Start with Why,” Simon Sinek states that we spend too much time on “how” and “what” – but only the core WHY can penetrate into and beyond the Early Majority
Why did Apple and Martin Luther King succeed?
Because people bought into what they believed – their “WHY” – a passion.
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The Right “Why” for a Rotary Club
When launched from new DNA:
• Can cure the “plateau” and “decline” viruses
• Can cure the “clan” &“giant amoeba” viruses
• Can ignite a club into a new grow cycle
• Can enable a club to crossing the tipping point
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So – What Do You Believe? Your Passion – Your WHY?
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THE GROWTH INSTINCT
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This presentation can be downloaded at:
JDBrewerConsulting.com(Resource Page)
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