Strategic Planning That Breathes: Moving from Rigid Planning to Reflective, Emergent Direction-Setting

Traditional strategic plans can feel like a straitjacket—binding documents that quickly become obsolete. “Strategic planning that breathes” is about creating a living strategy that adapts and evolves with your organization. Rather than fixating on rigid five-year predictions, emergent planning embraces change: it’s guided by a clear intent and vision, but acknowledges that specific outcomes can’t be fully predicted in a complex world. Change is constant, so our plans must be fluid—more like breathing organisms than stone tablets.

Key Insights:

• Embed Adaptability: In practice, this means building in regular reflection points and feedback loops. Successful organizations now “institutionalize reflection sessions” and continuously monitor their environment to refine priorities. A plan isn’t a one-time product; it’s a process of learning and adjusting.

• Keep Strategy Alive: Think of your strategy as a living, breathing guide rather than a static report. One consulting approach describes creating a plan that gives the board a clear sense of direction while allowing the executive team freedom to execute and adjust course. In short, hold your goals tightly, but your methods lightly. (I know - easier said than done!)

Less Prep, More Presence: adrienne maree brown, quoting Bruce Lee, urges us to “be like water.” Over-planning can trap us in strategies that no longer fit. The best moves often come from what’s happening right now. As leaders, our job is to stay open, responsive, and fully present.

Reflection: Is your strategic plan breathing? Consider scheduling a quick reflective pause at your next staff or board meeting. Ask your team: What’s changing in our ecosystem, and how should we respond? By treating planning as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-off task, even small nonprofits can remain aligned with their mission amid change.

This emergent, responsive approach turns planning into a source of organizational resilience and creativity. Inhale insight, exhale adaptation—and watch your strategy come to life.

As always, take what resonates, test what fits, and reshape the rest—wishing you luck as you make this practice your own!