
Common Challenges
We
Help Solve
These scenarios reflect the types of challenges we’re equipped to help organizations navigate. They are not pulled from specific client cases, but are grounded in real patterns and pain points we’ve seen throughout our careers.
The challenges below reflect common situations we help organizations address. Whether you're navigating something similar or facing a unique issue, we're here to help.
Scenario 1: Misconduct Allegation in a Mission-Driven Nonprofit
The Challenge:
A well-regarded nonprofit receives a serious misconduct complaint involving a senior leader. With close-knit staff and board relationships, an internal review is viewed as potentially biased and too fraught to pursue in-house.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would conduct a discreet, impartial investigation—interviewing key parties, reviewing communications and policies, and assessing credibility without disrupting daily operations. Our process would prioritize discretion, procedural fairness, and institutional integrity.
The Outcome:
The board would receive clear, fact-based findings to support informed, defensible decisions. Staff would regain trust in leadership’s commitment to accountability, and the organization could implement policy improvements that strengthen safeguards going forward.
Scenario 2: Culture Challenges at a Public-Facing Startup
The Challenge:
A fast-growing startup experiences high turnover and declining morale. Anonymous feedback points to favoritism, blurred roles, and inconsistent accountability—but few employees feel safe raising concerns internally.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would lead a confidential climate assessment, combining interviews, thematic analysis, and a review of workplace norms. We would identify root causes, surface patterns, and deliver clear, actionable recommendations grounded in best practices.
The Outcome:
Leadership would gain insight into disengagement drivers and receive a roadmap to restore team health. With clearer roles and improved trust, the company could reduce attrition, increase transparency, and strengthen its leadership pipeline.
Scenario 3: Disciplinary Conflict in a Private School
The Challenge:
A student discipline case sparks division among staff, students, and parents. The situation escalates into broader concerns about fairness, communication, and community trust.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would conduct an independent review, meet with involved parties, and facilitate restorative dialogue where appropriate. We would also advise school leadership on clarifying policies and strengthening future response protocols.
The Outcome:
The school would reach a fair, well-documented resolution and foster stronger alignment across its community. By reinforcing transparency and trust, leadership would reduce the risk of future escalation and build lasting confidence.
Scenario 4: Independent Fact-Finding in a High-Stakes Harassment Case
The Challenge:
A law firm defending a corporate client in a harassment lawsuit needs a credible, independent investigation to assess the facts, manage institutional risk, and demonstrate a commitment to accountability.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would conduct a neutral, fact-based investigation that meets legal and regulatory standards. We’d coordinate discreetly with outside counsel to clarify scope and ensure efficient communication—without compromising our independence or investigative integrity.
The Outcome:
Counsel would receive well-documented, defensible findings to inform decision-making. The organization could show it acted responsibly, and the investigation itself would stand up to external scrutiny, reinforcing trust in the process.
Scenario 5: Chronic Performance Issues in a Small Team
The Challenge:
A small organization is grappling with a long-standing performance issue involving a well-liked team member who consistently fails to meet expectations. Prior informal attempts to address it have stalled, and documentation is limited.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would conduct a confidential review—interviewing stakeholders, assessing performance history, and identifying communication and process gaps. We would clarify the core issues and guide leadership toward next steps that are fair, defensible, and aligned with organizational values.
The Outcome:
Leadership would gain confidence in how to proceed—whether through a performance improvement plan, role adjustment, or separation. By addressing the issue with clarity and documentation, the organization would reset expectations, reduce team strain, and reinforce accountability.
Scenario 6: Reorganization at a Mid-Sized Agency
The Challenge:
A mid-sized public agency is preparing for a significant restructuring, including leadership changes and potential workforce reductions. Leaders are concerned about declining morale, miscommunication, and the risk of perceived unfairness during the transition.
Our Approach:
Faro Point would partner with senior leadership to anticipate and mitigate risks to culture, communication, and trust. We’d assess workforce impacts, advise on clear and empathetic messaging, and provide behind-the-scenes guidance to managers navigating tough conversations. Where appropriate, we’d also support policy or structural changes to reinforce accountability and consistency.
The Outcome:
Leaders would move forward with greater confidence, knowing they’ve accounted for both operational and human impacts. Employees would feel more informed and respected, helping preserve morale and institutional credibility through the change.
Scenario 7: A Misconduct Complaint from the Soccer Field
The Challenge:
A youth sports organization received a misconduct complaint involving inappropriate sideline behavior during a game. A coach’s spouse was targeted by a parent from the opposing team, and several spectators witnessed the incident. Although the individual involved wasn’t officially affiliated with the league, the conduct raised concerns about safety and the organization’s responsibility to act.
Our Approach:
Faro Point conducted a structured, impartial review of the incident, including interviews with witnesses and an evaluation of the league’s code of conduct. We helped the board assess risk, clarify its authority, and determine a defensible path forward. We also provided recommendations to strengthen sideline expectations and response protocols moving forward.
The Outcome:
The board took action aligned with its values and reinforced behavioral standards for all participants in league activities—not just players and coaches. The organization emerged with stronger policies, more confident leadership, and a renewed commitment to safety and respect on and off the field.
Wondering how we’d approach a challenge you're facing?
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