What do you do if your strategic thinking skills are put to the test in a community organizing interview?

When strategic thinking skills are put to the test in this way - it's important to recognise some of the core principles of successful community organising and community design. Before even venturing into the world of strategic build we have to ask the question: What is the common purpose that unites everyone? This is a core principle of community organising. If a community is successful it is self evolving and supporting - for it to be this, everyone must be aligned to a purpose that is greater than us all.

This is a thought provoking article. My MBA brain is shouting leverage established methodologies and frameworks and make the case with past experience, but my systems thinking sustainable development brain is urging me to put forward a different view. It's clear that many communities are failing. High streets becoming empty, volunteering rates down, citizens with polarising views etc. I believe that now is the time to put forward some radical new theories for the change we want to see and the best way I know to do that is through backcasting and storytelling.

Stakeholder mapping and an engagement plan is a must. RACI a useful additional tool as you need to understand who are the key influencers. It is important to develop a solid understanding of the policy area including challenges and opportunities. Overlaying this with the local political dynamics. Find yourself a key sponsor. E.g CEO / leader. I always have a phase 1 and phase 2 stakeholder plan as need to review and re-focus, particularly if addressing multiple stakeholders. E.g., Local Authority & Integrated Care Service. You need to both raise profile and provide clear evidence of impact. Be prepared to change emphasis from one party to another as engagement bites and you build allies. Finally, work on your USP & sales pitch.

Having the core information (as described by @Mel Ross above) is an essential start. Demonstrating any skill through previous experience is always a good interview technique. Needless to say, evidencing your (genuine!) claims is important and how you applied your own CT skills to the particular community's challenges. Remember that "negative results" can be equally valuable, providing you have reflected on them and can demonstrate the learning derived - and, ideally, later tested and validated.

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