Flemish Autism Association
After a turbulent period, the Flemish Autism Association had to change course. It needed new leadership, a new focus, and new energy. We found all three, so the team is once again ready to tackle its challenges with determination. The organization is well on its way to becoming a strong and reliable point of contact once more for anyone with questions about living with autism.
"Appointing an interim manager was the best decision the Board of Directors of the Flemish Autism Association could have made. Together, they set to work to address the crisis within the organization. As the new director, I am now reaping the benefits of that. I can rebuild from scratch. At the same time, I’m still on good terms with Frederic and can turn to him if I run into any problems. That gives me confidence.”
Linda Sonck - Director of VVA
The customer
The Flemish Autism Association aims to inspire and empower our society so that people with autism and those around them can be themselves, building on their strengths and taking their specific needs into account.
By providing information and fostering dialogue, they aim to increase mutual understanding. They do this through a basic course, as well as discussion evenings and meetings with people with lived experience. The organization advocates for the interests of people with autism before the government and works to improve public perception in the media.
The question
The VVA has gone through a turbulent period. Turnover in the organization’s leadership caused its operations to become disrupted. The feeling of being in constant crisis mode weighed heavily on the team. People dropped out, and the organization found itself in a vicious cycle of understaffing and a lack of direction. When the VVA approached S&L, the organization was looking for a new director, as well as a clearer direction and the stability needed to rebuild its foundations.
The impact
We needed a fresh perspective from the outside, so we brought in someone to serve as an interim leader right in the heart of the organization. The goal was to identify the pain points from the inside and help lay the groundwork for sustainable solutions.
Through discussions and by working closely with all employees, we identified their skills, concerns, and aspirations. It became clear where we could gain energy and where it had previously been wasted. A new strategic plan was drafted and submitted. The organization found a new director, who is currently hitting the ground running.
We efficiently completed short-term projects, then shifted our focus to sustainable long-term solutions. We introduced new systems and processes: the organization now manages its membership dues and newsletters more smoothly using a comprehensive CRM system. A successful move symbolizes a fresh start, and a new culture of open communication ensures that inevitable friction doesn’t throw a wrench in the works.
The challenge
To turn things around, you need energy—and that can sometimes be in short supply among a team that has kept things afloat during a long period of chaos. So we sat down with them. What are the things that systematically drain energy? And where do you actually get that energy from? How can we better support you in your day-to-day tasks, so you have more time to focus on the bigger picture?
The second condition for sustainable transformation: focus. That, too, was lacking. Piles of unfinished tasks and just as many opportunities for collaboration meant that no one knew where to start. So we set aside the short-term urgencies and began working on a clearly defined list of priorities. At the top of the list: systems that provide greater peace of mind and structure in the long term.
The collaboration
When you temporarily take over the leadership of an organization, the support of the board and the team is crucial. And that support was definitely there: everyone at the VVA was available to listen and provide valuable input. Despite the difficult period the team had just come through, everyone was ready to roll up their sleeves and tackle the necessary changes.
Does this case appeal to you?
We'd be happy to listen to the specific needs of your organization. We'll come as a pair to listen to your request and make an initial proposal. Based on the feedback and further co-creation, we'll provide a final proposal.
