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Patton’s Picks: Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Leadership Resources for the Philanthropic Sector
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Big goals don’t require big leaps - they require small, intentional tests.
In Tiny Experiments, Anne-Laure Le Cunff makes a compelling case for replacing rigid goal-setting with continuous learning. Instead of asking “What’s the plan?” she encourages leaders to ask “What’s the next experiment?”
Why this matters for nonprofit leaders:
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Strategy is rarely linear - experimentation beats perfection
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Small tests reduce risk while increasing learning
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Progress comes from curiosity, not certainty
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or paralyzed by long-range plans, this book is a refreshing reminder: momentum is built one experiment at a time.
Leadership takeaway: Design your next quarter around learning goals, not just performance goals.
About Patton McDowell:
Dr. Patton McDowell, CFRE, MBA, is the creator of the innovative PMA Mastermind Leadership Program, a unique offering designed to elevate nonprofit leaders through comprehensive training and peer collaboration. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, and host of the weekly podcast with the same name, available here. Since founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, Patton has strategically guided over 300 nonprofit organizations to achieve their fullest potential. A Certified Fundraising Executive and Master Trainer for AFP Global, he serves as Executive in Residence at Cornell University's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and as Director of the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership.
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