GS839 Comprehensive Review #2
"In fact, the quality of our attention determines the quality of other people's thinking. Attention, driven
by deep respect and genuine interest, and without interruption, is the key to a Thinking Environment.
Attention is that powerful. It generates thinking. It is an act of creation." That is from Nancy Kline. Who
else in this course would be likely to agree, or to say similar things?
I. Carl Rogers
II. Otto Scharmer
A) I only
B) II only
C) Both I and II
D) Neither I nor II
The correct answer is C. Rogers is the ultimate source for much of the best contemporary writing on
reflective or generative listening. Scharmer makes similar points. Karoff does as well, coming from the
perspective of a poet. Palmer arrives at similar views, drawing on Quaker circles.
"Philanthropy, says Peter Karoff, "is private action in a public space." A strange saying? All of the
statements below draw out the implications of Peter's remark, EXCEPT
A) Philanthropy is passionate and often deeply personal.
B) In philanthropy, the donor can bring into the public sphere aspects of the self that might otherwise be
private.
C) Philanthropy grows from identity, which can mean political identity, racial or ethnic identity, gender
identity, sexual identity.
D) Philanthropy is a strategic. It is a way of getting results.
The correct answer is D. Philanthropy can, indeed, be a way of getting results, as Tom Tierney stresses,
but that is not what Peter Karoff is getting at in his evocative remark. He wants us to see that
philanthropy, not unlike poetry, is a private gesture in a public setting. That is, in giving we may stand up
for and express aspects of ourselves, our deeper commitments, that it may feel inappropriate to bring
into a normal business setting.
,As taught in CAP, what would a good discovery/agreement interview accomplish?
I. Gift planner and donor/client become clear as to relevant facts.
II. Gift planner and donor/client become clear as to goals.
A) I only
B) II only
C) Both I and II
D) Neither I nor II
The correct answer is C. A gift planner working for a nonprofit may not get "all the facts," but working
with advisors they can participate in a process in which all the relevant facts and goals are elicited and
addressed in a balanced and effective way.
Bill has found his "through line" as an advisor to a family with complex needs and complex family
dynamics. Which statement or statements below reflect(s) his new found direction?
I. He feels a connection to the heart and soul of the family
II. He understands how best to gain the family as a client
A) I. only
B) II. only
C) Both I. and II.
D) Neither I. nor II.
The correct answer is A. The through line is a term taught to actors. They are told to find their through
line in a scene to connect emotionally with the dramatic situation and with their audience. Given that
family is all about "drama" terms from drama make a great deal of sense. We are actors in a family
scene. We had better find our through line.
Per a survey by US Trust cited in this course, which of the statements below is (are) true?
,I. The biggest reason that high net worth clients say that they do not give more to charity is that they do
not feel connected to the charity
II. The biggest reason that advisors think their clients do not give more to charity is that the clients fear
not having enough for themselves.
A) I only
B) II only
C) Both I and II
D) Neither I nor II
The correct answer is C. Both statements are true. This is one of several "advisor donor disconnects"
documented in the study. Generally, advisors believe that clients are more concerned than they actually
are about the financial impact of the gift on the donor and the donor's family. Tax issues, too, loom
larger in advisor minds than in the minds of donors. Generally, donors are mainly concerned about
whether their gift will be used wisely by the charity; they want to know more about the charities they
give to and want to feel more connected to them; and they are concerned that if they give, then they will
be solicited again and again.
Hannah, age 16, lives in elegant home in Grosse Pointe. On her way to school, she passes through the
burned-out neighborhoods surrounding Detroit. When she comes home, she says at the dinner table,
"Mom and Dad, why do we have so much, when others have so little? I saw a girl today my own age, and
she has so little. Why do we have so much?" Jack works with Wall Street clients, hedge fund managers.
Jack's clients are aggressive, adrenalized, focused on results, minute-by-minute. Yet, when Jack sits with
his best clients, he begins by asking questions like, "What principals have guided your wealth planning to
date?" With respect to Hannah and Jack, which has shown moral imagination?
I. Hannah
II. Jack
A) I only
B) II only
C) Both I and II
D) Neither I nor II
The correct answer is C. Moral imagination is the ability to see life through the eyes of another person,
and to see it feelingly. Moral imagination is related to empathy, or "walking a mile in another's
moccasins."
, Per a survey by US Trust, which of these is the #1 reason that wealthy donors say they don't give more?
A) Unable to use full tax deduction
B) Don't feel connected to the charity
C) May reduce inheritance to children
D) Not sure they can afford it
The correct answer is B. "Don't feel connected" and "Fear the gift may not be used wisely" were the top
two reason donors say they don't give more.
Which statement or statements about Tom Tierney, co-author of Give Smart, are correct?
I. He was highly successful at a young age, in a business consulting firm
II. He spent five years "testing the waters," by starting a nonprofit doing philanthropic consulting while
continuing to do his "day job" in business consulting
A) I only
B) II only
C) Both I and II
D) Neither I nor II
The correct answer is A. He was very successful as leader of Bain Consulting. Unlike Bob Buford,
however, he did not "double track," continuing his old job while starting a new nonprofit initiative on the
side. Instead, Tom explored his options, quit the old job, and began the nonprofit venture (Bridgespan).
It must have taken great courage!
With respect to collaboration across the planning disciplines, which of these indicates a need for
teaming?
I. High net worth