Achieving excellence does not happen by accident but requires a systematic approach. Over seven years, Second Baptist School more than doubled its operating budget, enrollment, and annual fundraising following this five-step process; 5Ps of Performance: Philosophy, People, Programs, Places, and Philanthropy. This model provides a comprehensive guide for building and sustaining high-performing organizations. We will briefly explore how each element contributes to organizational success.
1. Philosophy: Defining the Core
A clear and compelling philosophy is the foundation of a high-performing organization. This includes the mission, vision, and values that drive the organization forward.
Mission: The mission statement articulates the organization's purpose and the impact it aims to achieve. It provides direction and focus, ensuring all efforts align with a common goal. The mission statement of SBS was our Portrait of a Graduate and focused on the outcomes we desired to develop in students. This focus on student impact informed everything we did including our hiring, program development, building projects, and fundraising efforts.
Vision: The vision statement describes the future the organization aspires to create. It is an inspiring declaration that motivates stakeholders to work towards a shared dream.
Values: Core values are the guiding principles that shape the organization's culture and behavior. They set the standard for decision-making and interactions within the organization.
By establishing a strong philosophy, organizations ensure that every member understands their role and the overarching purpose of their work, fostering unity and commitment.
2. People: Building the Right Team
The success of an organization hinges on its people. Successful organizations attract, develop, and retain employees who are humble, hungry, smart (EQ), positive, and loyal. Lencioni (2016) emphasizes the importance of each employee being humble, hungry, and smart in building a cohesive and effective team. These three are core to an ideal team player. I add positive which is the grease that keeps the engine running smoothly and loyal which is the glue that binds the team together.
Humble | Hungry | Smart | Positive | Loyal
Focusing on these traits helps organizations build a capable and aligned team, which is essential for achieving high performance.
3. Programs: Aligning Efforts with Philosophy
Programs are the mechanisms through which a school’s philosophy is actualized and students are forever changed. High-performing schools design and implement programs that align with their mission, vision, and values, leveraging their strengths for maximum student impact. By aligning programs with their core philosophy and utilizing their strengths, organizations maximize their effectiveness and impact.
4. Places: Creating Environments for Success
The environments where students learn and programs are executed are crucial for performance. High-performing schools invest in creating physical and virtual spaces that facilitate collaborative learning and well-being. The danger in misaligning these steps is that you can raise money and build a beautiful space that is not utilized or effective because you are missing a compelling philosophy, the right people, and effective programming.
Physical and virtual spaces should be designed and created after a school has clearly defined its philosophy and hired champions who can develop and lead compelling programs.
5. Philanthropy: Securing Resources for Excellence
Excellence requires resources, and philanthropy plays a vital role in securing the resources needed for sustained high performance. High-performing organizations engage in strategic fundraising and build strong relationships with donors and sponsors.
Effective philanthropy involves a clear vision, effective execution, and strong relationships with key stakeholders. Dr. Ed Young of Second Baptist Church often reminded me that your vision will never be greater than God’s resources. If your organization follows this five-step process donors will appreciate and support your thoughtful approach to organizational growth.
Conclusion
The 5Ps of Performance—Philosophy, People, Programs, Places, and Philanthropy—offer a comprehensive framework for achieving and sustaining high performance. Organizations can achieve remarkable success and impact by clearly defining their core philosophy, attracting and developing the right people, aligning programs with their mission, creating conducive environments, and securing necessary resources. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of the organization is geared towards excellence, paving the way for a bright and sustainable future.
References
Lencioni, P. M. (2016). The ideal team player: How to recognize and cultivate the three essential virtues. John Wiley & Sons.
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