The principles of Applied Wisdom are available in several formats. Here is a menu / overview of what's available.
There's no one place to start and no one right resource. Jump in anywhere or start with the first principle and work through all eight with your team, board, or just for yourself.
How to Use This Guide
How to Use This Guide
This guide helps nonprofit leaders bring the eight Applied Wisdom insights to their teams — one at a time, at your own pace, in whatever format works best for you. Use it in a staff meeting, a team retreat, a book club, a one-on-one conversation, or as a self-guided learning tool.
Each insight includes:
A podcast to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course videos and 1-minute leadership tip clips for discussion.
Exercises that each take 10-15 minutes
You don’t need to work through these in order. Pick the insight most relevant to your team right now and start there.
The Eight Insights
Culture · Insight 1
Cultivating Culture
Culture matters. It’s a core organizational asset.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
Short clips from nonprofit leaders — good discussion starters.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Culture · Insight 2
Respect and Trust Your People
Respecting and trusting your people is the foundation of all good management.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
Short clips from nonprofit leaders — good discussion starters.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Culture · Insight 3
Bad News is Good News
Always listen for and even seek out signs of trouble. Bad news is good news if you do something about it.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
A short clip from a nonprofit leader — good discussion starter.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Planning · Insight 4
Develop Court Sense
Develop “court sense” to see everything that’s happening around you, and to rapidly adjust to changes.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
A short clip from a nonprofit leader — good discussion starter.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Planning · Insight 5
The Whole Job
Commit to doing “the whole job.” Investing in organizational capacity contributes to excellence and impact.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Planning · Insight 6
Prioritize and Focus
With limited time and resources, it’s essential to prioritize and then focus.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
A short clip from a nonprofit leader — good discussion starter.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Implementation · Insight 7
Book It and Ship It
Planning is essential but success comes from implementation. “Book it and ship it.” Make a decision and manage the consequences.
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
Short clips from nonprofit leaders — good discussion starters.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Implementation · Insight 8
Who’s Got the Monkey?
To create a culture of accountability, reinforce individual ownership of problems. Always ask, “Who’s got the monkey?”
Podcast
An overview of this insight to listen to on your own or with your team.
Course Videos
1-Minute Tips
A short clip from a nonprofit leader — good discussion starter.
Exercises
Available in the companion PDF workbook, or download directly:
Additional Resources
Go Deeper on Any Insight
For each of the eight insights, you’ll find additional resources at
, including:
Tip sheet
Audio version of the book chapter for that insight
Conversation starters
Digital text version of the book chapter for that insight
Exercise worksheets
Situation Solver
Facing a leadership challenge? Choose your role and what you’re experiencing. The Situation Solver offers possible explanations, practical approaches, and related Applied Wisdom resources to help you decide what to do next.
