Active Listening and Feedback: Start by actively listening to both the organization's practices and the community's values. Align Goals: Find common ground by aligning organizational goals with community values. Transparent Communication: Maintain open and transparent communication with all stakeholders. Flexibility and Adaptation: If there's a disconnect, be open to adjusting organizational practices. Leadership and Role Modeling: Leadership must demonstrate a commitment to this balance by modeling inclusive behaviors and fostering a culture that values both organizational success and community well-being.

Too often, organisations show up with pre-made solutions, assuming they know what’s best. But if you’re not hearing the heartbeat of the community, you’re just guessing. As a senior youth and community professional, I’ve learned that alignment doesn’t come from policies – it comes from conversations. You spend time. You build trust. You ask the questions no one else bothers to ask. And when the answers come, you act on them. It’s not about ticking boxes, it’s about co-creating something real. If a practice doesn’t sit right with the community, it’s my job to challenge it. Sometimes that means being the person in the room asking the uncomfortable questions. But most of the time, it’s stepping back and letting the community lead.

I'd really want to understand this dissonance. If the focus of the organisation is social behaviour change then understanding community values and norms will be at the heart of our strategy.

What we do in the organization may not directly serve the community we are working in. The products or services may not typically address the communities need but they have other desires or priorities as a community. Learning and understanding what they need, our organization shall dischage the social responsibility by addressing those community needs strategically. Approaching the local leaders and greeting clarity on what they need should be a priority and helping them to achieve those needs would creat smooth alignment with the community. Though the values are different, our organization is helping the community addressing their need. So there will be a win win situation to everyone.