Organization Builder

Organizational development (OD) is a critical and ongoing process that focuses on enhancing an organization's effectiveness, adaptability, and overall health. It involves a strategic approach to growth, aligning the organization’s goals with its internal capabilities and external opportunities. Being intentional and strategic in strengthening an organization ensures that growth is not just reactive, but planned and sustainable. This approach requires a deep understanding of the current talents, assets, and structures within the organization, while also identifying areas for improvement and expansion. By leveraging existing strengths and capitalizing on opportunities for growth, organizations can navigate challenges, improve efficiency, and foster innovation. Intentional organizational development positions the organization to be agile in a rapidly changing environment, ensuring long-term success and resilience.

Culture Assessments

Is performance equity driving down employee engagement? Are you seeing high turnover? Is the workplace culture unstable and resentful? A culture assessment can identify areas where you can increase belonging in your organization, driving loyalty, co-creation, and, most importantly, innovation.

Embarking on a culture assessment is a powerful first step for organizations ready to transform their culture and build a foundation of belonging and inclusion. At Civic Canvas, we understand that creating a culture of equity requires more than just intentions—it demands a deep understanding of your organization’s current state, its history, and the lived experiences of your employees and stakeholders. We are committed to helping you navigate this journey strategically and intentionally.
Our comprehensive approach includes:
Survey Assessments: We conduct both internal and external surveys to assess the current organizational culture, identifying strengths and areas for growth.
Listening Sessions and One-on-One Interviews: Through these direct engagements, we gather valuable, qualitative insights from staff and stakeholders, ensuring that every voice is heard and understood.
Learning Exchanges: We facilitate learning sessions designed to enhance understanding and competence around equity and inclusion, empowering your team to lead the way.
Data Analysis and Historical Review: By analyzing existing data, historical documents, and stakeholder feedback, we paint a full picture of your organization's cultural landscape.
Thematic Consolidation: We synthesize all collected information into clear themes, guiding the creation of a sustainable framework for change.
Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan: Finally, we deliver a detailed strategic framework and an actionable implementation plan that outlines the steps your organization will take over the next 2-3 years to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable culture of belonging.                                                                                                                      

Embarking on a strategic planning process is a crucial step for organizations looking to shape their future with intention and clarity.
 At Civic Canvas, we recognize that effective strategy requires both adaptability and forward-thinking. Whether your organization needs a rapid response to emerging opportunities or a comprehensive long-term plan, we offer flexible options tailored to your needs. 
Our approach integrates scenario planning through a foresight framework, ensuring your strategy is both agile and resilient.
From Single Strategic Sessions to Comprehensive Engagements
Single Strategic Sessions: Ideal for addressing unique, time-sensitive opportunities or mitigating current challenges with future-focused strategies. These sessions provide organizations with quick, actionable insights and forward-thinking approaches to capitalize on emerging opportunities or solve pressing issues.
Comprehensive 3-6 Month Engagements: For organizations seeking a more in-depth exploration, our strategic planning journey spans 3 to 6 months, allowing for a thorough understanding of your current conditions and the mapping of your organizational vision for the next 3 to 5 years. This approach ensures a well-rounded, sustainable strategy that aligns with both immediate needs and long-term goals.

Our Strategic Planning Process
Survey Assessments: We gather internal and external input through surveys to assess your current organizational landscape, pinpointing strengths and areas for strategic development.
Listening Sessions and One-on-One Interviews: Engaging directly with leadership, staff, and stakeholders, we collect insights that reveal organizational dynamics, needs, and future aspirations.
Learning Exchanges: We facilitate interactive sessions designed to build capacity around strategic thinking, foresight, and adaptability, empowering your team to anticipate and respond to future challenges.
Scenario Planning Using Foresight Framework: Leveraging a foresight-based scenario planning process, we explore multiple future possibilities, helping your organization visualize different futures and build strategies that can withstand various potential disruptions or opportunities.
Data and Historical Analysis: We analyze existing data, historical trends, and external factors, creating a comprehensive understanding of your organization’s current state to inform future planning.
Thematic Consolidation: By consolidating all input, scenario insights, and research, we identify key strategic themes, guiding your organization’s priorities and focus.
Strategic Framework and Implementation Plan: Finally, we deliver a detailed strategic framework and actionable implementation plan for the next 2-3 years, ensuring your strategy is grounded in current realities and positioned for future success.

Whether through a single strategic session or a comprehensive 3-6 month engagement, Civic Canvas ensures that your organization is equipped with a forward-thinking strategy that embraces future uncertainties, drives growth, and achieves long-term success.

Developing strong, adaptive leaders is essential to the long-term success and resilience of any organization. At Civic Canvas, we offer flexible leadership development opportunities designed to meet the unique needs of individuals and teams, whether you’re looking for focused, one-on-one coaching or a series of in-depth leadership workshops for groups. Our approach combines practical tools, such as StrengthsFinder assessments, with tailored guidance to empower leaders to thrive in today’s dynamic work environments.
1:1 Coaching to Cohorts of Leadership Sessions
One-on-One Leadership Coaching: Tailored for individual leaders looking to refine their leadership style, navigate challenges, or capitalize on growth opportunities. These focused sessions offer personalized guidance, helping leaders unlock their potential, develop key leadership skills, and build confidence in decision-making.
Cohorts of Leadership Development Sessions: For organizations seeking to develop leadership across teams or departments, we offer cohort-based programs that consist of a series of leadership workshops. These sessions, which can be conducted over several weeks or months, create a collaborative learning environment where leaders can explore concepts such as adaptive leadership, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

StrengthsFinder Integration
Our leadership development programs often include the StrengthsFinder assessment, a tool designed to help leaders identify their natural strengths and understand how to apply them effectively. By integrating StrengthsFinder into one-on-one coaching or group sessions, we help leaders:
Gain insight into their personal leadership style and strengths.
Learn how to leverage these strengths to lead teams more effectively.
Develop a customized leadership growth plan based on their unique abilities and areas of opportunity.
The Leadership Development Journey
Individual Assessments: Whether through StrengthsFinder or other leadership assessment tools, we begin with a clear understanding of each leader’s strengths, areas for growth, and leadership goals.
One-on-One Coaching: Our personalized coaching sessions provide leaders with tailored support to help them overcome specific challenges, build resilience, and refine their leadership approach.
Cohort-Based Leadership Workshops: For organizations developing leadership at scale, we design and facilitate a series of workshops that foster collaboration, build leadership competencies, and create alignment around shared leadership goals.
Learning Exchanges: Interactive sessions designed to promote peer learning and growth. Leaders engage in discussions, case studies, and real-world applications to enhance their leadership capabilities.
Strengths Application: Throughout both individual and group programs, we guide leaders in applying their identified strengths to real-world scenarios, fostering growth that is practical, sustainable, and aligned with their roles and responsibilities.
Actionable Leadership Development Plan: At the end of our leadership programs, whether through individual coaching or cohort workshops, we provide each leader with a personalized development plan. This plan outlines concrete steps they can take to continue growing their leadership skills and apply what they’ve learned within their teams and organizations.

Our leadership development offerings can be tailored to your organization’s needs, from a one-time coaching session to a series of leadership workshops spread over several months. Whether developing individual leaders or entire teams, Civic Canvas is here to support your organization's leadership growth, equipping your leaders with the tools and insights needed to excel today and in the future.