Leadership is hard
As we discovered in the latest nonprofit leadership report, leadership is hard. There are competing demands on us. And unclear expectations. Even our own expectations of ourselves can be unclear. Most of our life, we've had someone else set the agenda and tell us what...
The magic question to ask to hire the right Millenials
Traveling around the country, I'm constantly asked for the secret to hiring Millenials. Leaders tell me, "They don't stay in the job. And when they're here, it's hard to tell what they're working on." First, a warning For starters, let me just say that we need to stop...
New Hartsook Centre leadership study shows which leadership behaviors promote strong nonprofits
A new study by the Hartsook Centre for Sustainable Philanthropy suggests nonprofits are completely unprepared to face looming leadership changes. The report seems to show that most nonprofits aren’t even trying. Researchers estimate that over 67 percent of current...
Are you leading from the Inside Out?
So often, leaders look for external cues and systems to validate their leading. They want manuals or a curriculum. But these can fall flat. Or worse, have no lasting impact. It's not until leaders start working from within, that lasting change gets made. We just...
Where are you on the journey to becoming a focused leader?
Leaders often get stuck because they don't know where they're at on the journey. In our work with leaders, we find that a lack of confidence is actually a growth step - a movement toward grounded confidence. We call this The Leader's Journey and give a brief...
A message of hope for nonprofit leaders despite the tax bill
The recent tax bill is spreading fear and despair among nonprofit leaders around the United States. Last week, I recorded this message of hope. Since it's recording, the President has signed the bill into law. So the message of hope is needed now more than ever. This...
New research about nonprofit leadership
How do you behave as a leader? Do you know what your preferred management style is and how it contributes to your success? I'm pleased to announce that it's time for the 2nd Nonprofit Sector Leadership survey! This year The Concord Leadership Group is partnering...
Allow your team to test
Speak to people skilled at nonprofit programs or marketing or fundraising and you'll hear that they know what works because they constantly test. But promote those people to leadership, or elect them to a board of directors, and they get "risk averse." They stop...
Afraid to follow up? Use this phrase. #FollowUpFriday
I just finished a brand new book called Exactly What to Say by Phil Jones. He shares a couple dozen phrases to use in sticky situations. Some of the most helpful are in the context of following up. Think about a person you've asked to do something. Maybe you've asked...
