Randy Dirks - 3 Indispensable Skills

Gil Perry is probably one of the most preeminent development consultants out there.

And she talks about three skill sets that are essential in order to have an effective development operation in a nonprofit.

So we're going to look at those today.

The first one that she says is the ability for deep listening.

You know, often in the nonprofit world, we think of development specialists that are skilled in talking.

You know, they can talk on a dime to anybody on any particular subject.

They're just extremely effective in communicating.

Well, that is valuable.

It is not the most important skill set.

The most important skill set is simply the ability to listen, but to listen well.

And by that, I mean, as you listen to an individual, you begin to understand some of the deeper values and interests that they particularly have.

And so you start asking some insightful questions.

So, for example, here's a question.

As I got to know you and I could say something like this, say, John, so glad that you've been a part of our nonprofit organization.

I would really be interested.

Would you be able to share with me what first drew you to our nonprofit? And so that gives you an opportunity to start sharing.

What was it that you valued about the nonprofit I serve? And then a follow-up question could be something like this.

You know, John, I'd love to know one value that you hold on to that you believe is being expressed in your charitable giving to our nonprofit.

You see, these are questions that are fairly simple, but they're getting to the core of what somebody is about today.

And it's all based on the ability to listen well and ask insightful questions.

So that's the first skill set, deep listening.