--- title: The Latest | Chris Thompson description: Chris Thompson is president of Civic Collaboration Consultants, LLC. Chris Thompson’s goal is to help others achieve enduring, positive community change. He has worked in dozens of communities to bring change to such complex civic systems as economic development, talent development, education, health care and food security. For nearly a decade he worked for the Fund for Our Economic Future, an unprecedented collaboration of philanthropy serving Northeast Ohio. --- [![20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Administration/Tamarack%20Logos/20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png?width=200&height=47&name=20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange.png "20yrLogo-2_WhiteOrange")](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) # The Latest Contribute. We love to hear your thoughts, your musings and your latest work. Please share with us! 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Chris Thompson’s goal is to help others achieve enduring, positive community change. He has worked in dozens of communities to bring change to such complex civic systems as economic development, talent development, education, health care and food security. For nearly a decade he worked for the Fund for Our Economic Future, an unprecedented collaboration of philanthropy serving Northeast Ohio. ### Recent Posts [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Two%20business%20people%20shouting%20in%20megaphones%20at%20each%20other%205%203.jpeg) ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/3-lessons-for-funders-from-collaborating-with-the-enemy?hsLang=en-us) ### [3 Lessons for Funders from “Collaborating With the Enemy”](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/3-lessons-for-funders-from-collaborating-with-the-enemy?hsLang=en-us) Posted by [Chris Thompson](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/chris-thompson) on October 10, 2017 If anyone knows his way around solving wicked, persistent problems through collaboration it’s [Adam Kahane](https://reospartners.com/reos-management/adam-kahane/). The Canadian change-agent has facilitated collaborations that have catalyzed peace in South Africa, Guatemala, Colombia and beyond. And I thought my work to support a workforce collaboration was tough… [Read More](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/3-lessons-for-funders-from-collaborating-with-the-enemy?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/Photos/Image%20Library/Young%20businessman%20having%20a%20serious%20discussion%20with%20two%20female%20co-workers%20as%20they%20stand%20together%20discussing%20a%20hand%20written%20flip%20chart.jpeg) ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/civic-leadership-and-community-based-leadership-programs?hsLang=en-us) ### [Civic Leadership and Community-Based Leadership Programs](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/civic-leadership-and-community-based-leadership-programs?hsLang=en-us) Posted by [Chris Thompson](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/chris-thompson) on July 6, 2017 Wicked, persistent problems that diminish the quality of life in our communities often frustrate leaders accustomed to achieving change within their own organizations and institutions. While they know that homelessness, blight or hunger cannot be addressed as quickly as the strategic challenges they resolve within their company, hospital or university, they understandably wonder why progress on civic challenges is so elusive. And if these leaders travel or talk with colleagues from across the globe, they may also wonder why some communities make progress on wicked, persistent problems and others don’t.  [Read More](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/civic-leadership-and-community-based-leadership-programs?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/idea%20wisdom%20spark%20lightbulb.jpg) ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/with-wisdom-from-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) ### [Wit and Wisdom from Collective Impact 3.0](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/with-wisdom-from-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) Posted by [Chris Thompson](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/chris-thompson) on May 15, 2017 Spending three days learning, thinking and talking about collaboration and Collective Impact can make your brain hurt. Thankfully, when the three days are curated by the wonderful people at the [Tamarack Institute](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) you can also spend a lot of time laughing, reflecting and growing in your understanding of how to achieve enduring, positive community change. [Read More](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/with-wisdom-from-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hubfs/collaboration%20feedback%20input.jpg) ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/six-tensions-of-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) ### [Six Tensions of Collective Impact](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/six-tensions-of-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) Posted by [Chris Thompson](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/chris-thompson) on May 15, 2017 Tension is inherent in collaborative efforts. Tension is created when different stakeholders bring different values and expectations to the collaboration process. During the wonderful Collective Impact 3.0 Conference hosted by the [Tamarack Institute](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/?hsLang=en-us) and [Ontario Trillium Foundation](http://www.otf.ca/) in May several tensions surfaced repeatedly throughout the workshops and keynote presentations. [Read More](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/six-tensions-of-collective-impact?hsLang=en-us) [![](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%205.55.18%20PM.png?t=1484328860841&width=250&name=Screen%20Shot%202017-01-10%20at%205.55.18%20PM.png) ](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/collaboration-not-coblaboration?hsLang=en-us) ### [Collaboration, Not Coblaboration](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/collaboration-not-coblaboration?hsLang=en-us) Posted by [Chris Thompson](https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/latest/author/chris-thompson) on January 13, 2017 Champions of a cause often are eager to convene a collaboration to catalyze change. However, convening stakeholders without first assessing whether the conditions are right and the essential elements are in place is a recipe for coblaboration. The evil twin of collaboration, coblaboration only results in redundant meetings, assignment of blame and little change. 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