Strategic Fund Development: Building Profitable Relationships That Last, Third Edition

Defining Your Philosophy

You decide. But decide you must, I think.

Beyond the body of knowledge and all that learning, there’s your own philosophy. Your philosophy about philanthropy, your philosophy of work, and your behavior as a professional. I suspect that most truly committed professionals—in any field—ask themselves: Why do I choose to do this work rather than some other work? How does my approach to this work reflect my life’s values and beliefs?

Given my philosophy, what kind of workplace do I seek? What do I expect from myself and my colleagues in that work environment? Where are my lines in the sand, those boundaries I cannot cross because of my philosophy? And with all this, what levels of risk am I willing and able to take: to live my philosophy, engage others in this journey of questioning and self-definition, and make changes if I must?

Is this still too vague, this philosophy thing? I’ll use myself as an example. Here’s just a portion of my professional philosophy that I try (and sometimes fail) to live out, whether speaking, consulting, writing, or volunteering.

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

—John Wooden, American basketball coach and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame (www.coachwooden.com)

• Encourage conversation even when it makes people uncomfortable.
• Ask cage-rattling questions even though I know it makes people uncomfortable. ...