Flickr Photo: Vermin IncOn Wednesday, the kind folks at Russ Reid allowed me to invade a little think tank they held with some clients about social media and its applications in the nonprofit organization. I was lucky enough to listen to three organizations talk about their excitement, frustrations, challenges, and successes with social media all day.

We spent the last part of the day talking about the hard part of social media: the organizational challenges and obstacles. Despite all the challenges -- the fear of change, the lack of time, and even the lack of real ROI at this point -- each organization is firmly committed to staying the course with social media.

This led me to wonder: what's in the DNA of each of these orgs that allows them to embrace change and experiment?

Today, I was lucky enough to moderate a talk with Beth Kanter and Seth Godin on the topic of innovation. (Shout out to Roxy Allen for making it happen!) Since I was hanging out with a couple hundred smart people at that point -- that's right audience, you had an amazing chat going on! -- I asked everyone, "What do you think organizations that embrace innovation have in common?"

Seth was quick to answer: they have a changemaker. Organizations that innovate have that one person, be it CEO, middle manager or bottom of the org chart, who is willing to stand up, declare the need for change, and then "put on a show" about it until people fall in line to follow.

The answer was fantastically entertaining and empowering for the changemakers on the call. But is it enough? I've been thinking a lot lately about Forces for Good.  They take a dozen high-impact nonprofits and ask, "What do these organizations have in common?"

So I ask you: Do you think organizations that innovate have something in common? Is it enough to say that they have changemakers? Or is there something more? 

Let me know in a comment, or share your two cents in the Facebook discussion.