Creative Tension

Just returned from the "bidders conference" for the 4th Investment cycle for Social Venture Partners Cincinnati (SVP Cincinnati)  The investment cycle is the process (May - November) where the Partners come together to select a non-profit in Greater Cincinnati to both grant money and provide "free" consulting to improve that non-profit's capacity to do good. 

Talking with my fellow partners afterwards, I used G.L.'s statement to me after a tension filled POG (Portfolio of Good) meeting last year -  "Tension is good - it means we are getting to the heart of the issue.  Creative Tension means we are stretching ourselves and improving". 

Even though conflict can be uncomfortable, it is the exchange of diverse ideas that can mold a better solution than one person's approach.  We don't even think twice about tension and stress when it comes to sports.  Athletes challenge their bodies capacity and stretch their personal limits to improve their performance. 

Too often the non-profit world avoids tension with group dynamics.  Needing to please everyone can become the default solution.  Board dynamics can become a process of avoiding decisions awaiting complete consensus - or completely avoiding an issue in order to minimize any tension.

S.Z was quick to say that SVP Cincinnati has no fear of this occuring as long as Garen is a Partner.  :)