Adopting a care-filled approach to developing organisations.
The Better Org was established in response to the many management challenges and leadership failures in the social change space that have come to light over the past few years.
Having worked within the social change space for a number of decades, within programmatic, campaigning, funding, policy development and research organisations, across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, we recognise that mission-driven and purpose-led teams and leaders operate within particularly challenging environments which can often stand in the way of actualising well intentioned commitments to organisational development and improvement, and which in some cases can create cultures and environments of harm.
As a majority People of Colour team that is also Black Woman Led, and with cultural and ethnic roots in a number of Global Majority countries, we also recognise and relate to the particular challenges those from oppressed, marginalised, and under-represented groups experience in social change organisations, and we recognise the urgency and necessity of transforming organisations from environments of oppression and harm into spaces where all staff, but particularly staff from marginalised backgrounds, can thrive and flourish.
Our mission at The Better Org is to build culturally competent organisations with care, commitment, and connection at their core. Our practice is values driven and informed by the following principles:
- We approach all our work with care and compassion.
- We are human-centred and holistic in our practice.
- We adopt an intersectional lens, focused on identifying any issues of imbalance or inequity wherever they arise.
- Everyone we work with can be assured of our independence, sensitivity, and commitment to confidentiality.
- We recognise that the journey towards change is oftentimes a non-linear one with unexpected outcomes, and as such, we adopt a flexible approach to this work.
- We are proudly anti-racist and liberatory in our approach and as our practice is informed by lived experience, we will work with organisations to create authentic spaces which honour lived experience, safe spaces where sensitive issues can be discussed and voices can be heard, and brave spaces where intentional and impactful actions for change can be created.
What makes a Better Org?
At The Better Org, we don’t advocate for organisations to be perfect, rather we support organisations to to become better versions of themselves through intentional and incremental transformation.
We believe organisations can become better prepared and positioned to make structural and sustainable change by focusing on strengthening key collective competencies:
The Bold organisation is ambitious, risk confident, and future ready.
The Effective organisation is outcomes focused.
The Transparent organisation is accountable to all stakeholders.
The Teachable organisation centres learning in everything they do.
The Empathetic organisation is thoughtful and aware of their responsibilities within the wider ecosystem.
The Resilient organisation is adaptable in the face of uncertainty.
