Organizational Strengthening with Maliasili

By John Merishi, Head of People and Culture.

People are the heart of any organization, and this principle is at the core of our strategy for 2024-2026. Understanding that a skilled and well-equipped team is essential to achieving our objectives, we have identified team capacity building as a key focus for the coming years. Aligned with our broader organizational strategy, we believe that investing in the development of our team will cultivate a workforce that is more effective, innovative, and collaborative. This will, in turn, strengthen the performance and culture of Lion Guardians.

Strategic Importance of Capacity Building

Our dedication to capacity building is embedded within one of the four core goals of the Lion Guardians strategy: Ensure Lion Guardians is Locally and Sustainably Run. This goal underscores capacity building as a cornerstone of the organization’s long-term success. A well-equipped team not only elevates daily operations but also fosters a positive, resilient organizational culture—ensuring that our mission remains impactful and sustainable for the future. It is within this framework that we are committed to building a dynamic, results-driven team capable of adapting, innovating, and leading within the conservation sector.

Organizational Assessment

To guide our capacity-building efforts, we conducted a comprehensive organizational assessment in August 2024, in partnership with Maliasili, an expert organization in strengthening local conservation initiatives. This in-depth review involved the full participation of the Lion Guardians team, including our directors, allowing for a thorough examination of our operations. The assessment evaluated 14 critical areas relating to our organizational structure, processes, performance, and culture.

The assessment provided valuable insights into our organizational strengths and areas for improvement. The findings highlighted key aspects of our internal processes, structure, team dynamics, and overall culture. With these insights, we now have a clearer understanding of where we are excelling and where targeted interventions are needed to optimize our operations, increase team effectiveness, and maximize our organizational impact.

February 2025 Senior Management Workshop

In response to the assessment, we organized a two-day workshop for the Senior Management Team in February 2025. This session, facilitated by two expert trainers from Maliasili, allowed the leadership team to delve deeper into the assessment findings, offering a holistic perspective on the organization’s strengths and challenges. The workshop encouraged open dialogue, brainstorming, and collective decision-making, allowing us to prioritize areas requiring attention based on the assessment rankings.

Next Steps and Continued Partnership with Maliasili

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving organizational effectiveness, we will continue our partnership with Maliasili to further strengthen the areas identified in the assessment. This collaboration will provide the necessary support for implementing targeted interventions that drive sustained growth.

To ensure continued progress, we plan to hold follow-up workshops, which will allow us to dive deeper into specific organizational elements. These sessions will be crucial for refining our strategies and enhancing team efficiency. We are confident that these efforts will significantly improve our organizational capacity, enabling us to deliver on our mission with greater effectiveness.