Description

Even the best projects can fail because of lack of communication. This week's guest, Thomas Woiwode teaches us how to reach out to all stakeholders and adapt to meet their needs.

Thomas Woiwode is the Director of the Greenways Initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. The GreenWays Initiative was developed with several years of input from more than 70 organizations and agencies, as well as the encouragement and support of a group of community leaders committed to building greenways. Recent projects include the Dequindre Cut and the Midtown Loop Greenway.

Sponsored by:

QUOTE IT

"I think they started to get the vision and understand exactly what this could do for the community" (12:15)

"We knew that we were working on something that was truly unique and we wanted to make sure the public understood that as well"  (13:15)

"The public has to own and appreciate the value"(13:45)

DIG IN

• (5:30) Nontraditional solutions require us to listen to others. Your initial approach that we know may not be correct. Enjoy and pay attention to what others are saying.
• (7:40) What does your major asset connect to in your community?
• (11:15) Sequential thinking helps to put individual steps into a coordinated effort.

Tip of the week:

Practice your strategic thinking. Diagram your professional or organizational assets and how are they connected. Keep this diagram as a constant reminder to keep you focused.

(Ex. the Dequindre Cut connects the riverfront to the Eastern Market and thus to the neighborhoods. The Dequindre Cut became the connector, allowing the population access to the riverfront, and its many activities and benefits.)