How we work at The Geneva Learning Foundation

We work differently because the challenges we tackle demand innovative approaches.

Our methods may be unconventional, but our results speak for themselves.

  1. We give everything we have got to the communities whose learning and leadership we support through our programmes. Local knowledge drives sustainable solutions. We recognize that learners in the Foundation’s programmes are practitioners, "credible knowers" alongside academic experts.
  2. We care for each other and ourselves by supporting each other. We recognize that our wellbeing is fundamental to our mission's success. We balance intensity with recovery, ambition with sustainability. We are attentive to each other’s needs, giving and receiving constructive feedback as we work.
  3. We are united by purpose. Every task, no matter how small, is a step towards our vision of a world where learning knows no boundaries and leads to innovative solutions for our most pressing problems.
  4. We deliver results, not excuses. We take ownership of our work, seeing tasks through to completion with meticulous attention to detail. Excellence is our standard, not our aspiration. When there is a problem or failure, we focus on how to fix it, not who to blame.
  5. We transcend boundaries. We collaborate across disciplines, sectors, and levels of health systems to foster holistic, systems-level change.
  6. We embrace the power of small. There is no dead weight - every role is crucial. Everyone matters. Our lean, agile team structure allows every member to have direct impact.
  7. We reject the tyranny of meetings. Our default mode is asynchronous, leveraging digital tools to collaborate effectively across time zones. When we do meet, it's for focused sprints with clear objectives.
  8. We thrive on challenges. Rapid adaptation is our norm. We see every obstacle as an opportunity to innovate and grow.
  9. We learn constantly, we improve relentlessly. Our culture demands continuous learning and adaptation. We view every task as a chance to get better at what we do.
  10. We are masters of our own time. We trust each team member to manage their work autonomously, focusing on outcomes rather than hours logged. Flexibility is our strength.
  11. We communicate with purpose. Our interactions are clear, concise, and always aimed at driving our mission forward. We favor written communication that includes every project team member, documenting processes and procedures that are not already codified, as we work..
  12. We embrace productive discomfort. We push ourselves out of our comfort zones, knowing that's where true innovation happens. We're not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom.
  13. We are all leaders here. Leadership in our organization is not about position, but about initiative and impact. We encourage leadership at all levels.

This is how we work at the Geneva Learning Foundation.