Our Work

Supportive Environments for Effectiveness (SEE)

By making even small changes, nonprofits can achieve meaningful impact.

Our Framework scroll

We define environment to include not only physical settings, like the work space, but also social environments and virtual contexts. Environment encompasses the situations and circumstances where we interact with basic information – seeking it, making sense of it, and sharing it. When the environment supports these information needs, people feel less overwhelmed and more motivated to collaborate, communicate, and contribute ideas.

Model Building

Need to Make Sense

Humans have a need to understand and explore the world around them. We build and rely on mental maps—models—about our surroundings so we can engage with and expand our understanding in new contexts.

Being Capable

Need to Feel Capable

Using our knowledge competently is an important way humans engage with the world. We need to be clear-headed enough to find information, learn it, share it, and use it.

Meaningful Action

Need to Make a Difference

Humans thrive on opportunities to do things that matter. We want to know that our contributions are valued and used.

SEE gets to the core of how people function best.

Human beings hate being confused. Have you noticed? When people lack clarity about what’s expected of them or what’s going on around them, they feel uncomfortable and maybe even frustrated or demoralized. Interpreting the world around us is something we do all the time. When we don’t have enough information to form a clear picture – or mental model – of the environment we’re in and the role we play in it, we cannot be our best. Having a shared vision that supports understanding, exploration, and engagement is essential to creating a supportive, productive environment where people can be their best.

Here's what we mean

SEE isn't just a theory. Here are the specific ways it helps people and organizations thrive.

SEE helps us understand and communicate.

SEE gives us a language for identifying the ways our environment supports or depletes us. This can help clarify why someone is feeling confused, frustrated, or unmotivated and what’s required to feel more clear-headed, calm, and inspired. The three domains of SEE—Model-building, Being Capable, and Meaningful Action—provide a framework to help us understand, empathize, and respond appropriately.

SEE supports greater awareness and well-being.

Pushing ourselves to our limits impairs our ability to focus our attention and energy purposefully. No matter how well-rested, interested, or engaged we are, we will fatigue throughout the day. Honoring this limited human capacity goes a long way toward fostering reasonableness. We all know this intuitively; SEE is built on the scientific evidence that supports the need for restorative moments to renew energy, creativity, and perspective.

Why is SEE effective?

Few habits or processes are changed overnight. The SEE framework often reveals simple solutions hidden in plain sight that support change that’s actually achievable. SEE encourages taking small steps, each an experiment, so you can adapt as you move forward with greater efficiency, productivity, kindness, and overall satisfaction. That makes more effective and long-lasting change possible while infusing the workplace culture so it becomes easier to anticipate needs and address challenges that arise in the future.