Managing for Impact

Individuals need to work together to implement and use the management systems and processes established. This requires paying equal attention to the “people processes” and developing an environment and culture that builds trust and gains commitment and ownership. In some cases this environment may evolve naturally. However, more often than not it needs to be cultivated. To do this, the team and, in particular, leaders need particular knowledge and skills to create spaces for open dialogue between the different groups. They need an understanding of how learning occurs at different levels, how to facilitate this learning and how best to deal with conflicts if and when they arise. Unless there is there is an environment that enables individuals to openly share their views and opinions, the information and data collected through M&E, for example, will not be able to be reflected on in order to give rise to sound decisions.