Grasp

Grasp is an acting tool created by actor, director, teacher Constantin Stanislavski at the beginning of the twentieth century. In practice it refers to a state when you are experiencing, as Stanislavski put it, "an emotional state and you can make others, with whom you are in communion, do the same."

Let's break it down in a way that speaks to nonprofit askers.

When we share our words, expressions, gestures, and movements, we expect them to impact others - our fundraising prospects. If this were not the case, why would we share words, expressions, gestures, and movements at all with anyone?

The impact we're looking to make will vary from one exchange to the next. You may want to garner sympathy, provide laughter, evoke fear, cause tears, or move to act. Whatever the impact you’re looking to create, you are making an ask. This ask, a specific type of energy exchange with a prospect, in addition to being seen and heard can be felt.

The feeling generated by this ask energy may be subtle, in everyday ordinary asks. On the other hand it may be rather overt and obvious as is the case in nonprofit fundraising.

By the way, just as you expect your words and actions to impact others, others expect their words and actions to do the same to you. When both honor the impact the other is creating during a prospect visit, grasp occurs.

Once grasp is established, paving the way for thoughts, ideas, and words to flow freely and effortlessly, you and your prospect have not only connected physically and mentally, you've connected spiritually.