What Is Generative Thinking
- Colin Winter
- Oct 21
- 1 min read
What is generative thinking?
Generative thinking is about seeing patterns, identifying key questions, and looking at situations from multiple viewpoints—not just approving plans or monitoring performance. It is about continually reassessing the current environment and asking how that affects the organization’s future.
Boards use generative thinking to clarify organizational identity, values, and priorities. The goal is not to produce solutions immediately, but to frame issues in a way that surfaces the most meaningful challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit.
Examples of generative questions to ask:
What headline would you most like to see about this organization?
How would we operate differently if we were a for-profit organization?
What parts of our current operating model are viable long-term?
How do we need to change as individuals for this to succeed?
How should we make decisions in an uncertain environment?
