We are in a time and place where more families and family foundations are reflecting on their role in society and examining how their philanthropic presence can or should be growing, adapting and evolving to better address societal changes.

At TCC Group, we work with families and foundations of all shapes and sizes and are often called upon to help facilitate these conversations, which require a unique set of skills and techniques to ensure that conversations remain respectful, thoughtful, and most of all, productive.

Clients often come to us because they feel that they are at an impasse.  They typically fall into two categories: 1) they are pushing through what feels important to a small set of stakeholders without consensus or input; or 2) they are avoiding facing challenging decisions altogether and continuing to work in the same, often unproductive way.  In our experience, an open and honest dialogue about what matters  is what is necessary to help them move forward. We help carve out a balanced, neutral space – one where everyone brings their desires and opinions to the table with the goal of achieving a small step forward or even possibly, a great change. While there may be no “secret sauce” to navigating challenging conversations, there are certainly some key elements that can help move to a successful and satisfying conclusion.

The first and most critical step is to align on what the invested parties or individuals want to achieve – this can be as straightforward as agreeing to simply discuss a challenging issue with an open mind and willingness to hear and listen to other points of view or to commit to a model of shared decision-making in the future.  Our preference is to allow for a dynamic and iterative process that is anchored on mutually agreed upon rules of engagement.  We focus on respect, empathy and patience as key tenets that establish a safe, productive, and collaborative environment.

Read the full article about family philanthropy by Erica Weinberg and Maritza Guzman at TCC Group.