If your goal is to just scratch through an item on your to-do list and move on to the next, then maybe a shortcut is worth the risk… but if it’s something that matters... think twice. Shortcuts always have consequences. Pursuing a shortcut for a quick result is an acceptance up front that something is lost long-term. A shortcut is an exchange – inevitably trading opportunities, capacity-building, even effectiveness for short-term gains. Opting for a shortcut shortchanges yourself for short-term results.

“What do you want to talk about?” This question is one of our favorites at NCPI. It’s often accompanied by a giant grin on the face of the person asking the question. It’s often received with laughter. And it always marks the beginning of something exciting.