“Leadership” – Articles

Ready for Change: The Role of a Board of Directors

Ready for Change: The Role of a Board of Directors

The role of a Board of Directors has remained the same over the years...for the most part. A board sets the direction, raises funds, provides financial and program oversight, and ensures all laws and regulations are followed. However, what has changed is the level of...

Nonprofit Leadership: The 11 Characteristics You Need for Impact

Nonprofit Leadership: The 11 Characteristics You Need for Impact

Is Your Nonprofit Leadership the best it can be?  In my experience in working with leaders, there are a few characteristics that I have found to set a great leader apart from the rest, as well as predict their likelihood of success. I call these the 11 Characteristics...

Great Nonprofit Leadership: Do You Have What it Takes?

Great Nonprofit Leadership: Do You Have What it Takes?

Great Nonprofit leadership comes into play in every aspect of your day, as it's essential to your team's success. When I took on a role as CEO, it seemed my team frequently faced some important and complex matters. Many of these involving our clients, team, or...

Step 1 in Leadership Development: Know Yourself

Step 1 in Leadership Development: Know Yourself

When we think Leadership Development, we often think of others first... But sometimes we over look a critical element -- knowing ourselves... When I first became the CEO of an organization, I was very excited and confident. I knew what needed to be done and was quite...

2020: New Year, Bigger Nonprofit Impact

2020: New Year, Bigger Nonprofit Impact

Will 2020 be a success for your agency? With 2019 quickly coming to an end, most of us are tying up loose ends and putting the finishing touches on our 2020 plans, goals, and budgets for nonprofit impact. Maybe you're even making a couple of last minute phone calls...

Are Giving Trends Changing?

Are Giving Trends Changing?

I recently read an article about giving trends in Giving USA stating that 2018 donations fell by an inflation-adjusted 1.7% over 2017. Without a doubt, $427.71 billion is still a whole lot of money for charity. However, no one wants to see backsliding in our levels of...

Nonprofit Governance: What Is It and Why Does it Matter?

Nonprofit Governance: What Is It and Why Does it Matter?

Why are some nonprofit agencies so successful, how do they run so smoothly, and how does the board and staff work so well together? It begins with mutual appreciation and respect for one another, as well as excellent communication within the agency. In addition, the...

Is a Board of Directors Really Important?

Is a Board of Directors Really Important?

Board of Directors Role: What Exactly Should Your Board Be Doing? Throughout my time with nonprofits, I’ve noticed that a board, along with its directors ability to fulfill their roles and responsibilities can be the difference between a high impact agency, a low...

Does Your Leadership Style Matter?

Does Your Leadership Style Matter?

If you're like most nonprofit leaders, you've likely gone through your fair share of leadership skills training such as marketing, budgeting, goal setting, etc. However, you may never have made it a priority to look within...

Four Ways Board Training Can Help Your Nonprofit

Four Ways Board Training Can Help Your Nonprofit

Why do some boards demonstrate a culture of excellence year after year, while some seem to struggle with getting directors to show up for meetings or to make important decisions?  Why do some agencies have a waiting list of board candidates, while others (maybe yours)...

I’ve Written a New Book!

I’ve Written a New Book!

IT'S HERE!! It is with great excitement that I announce the arrival of my second book! This book focuses solely on nonprofit leadership, with the ins and outs of how to successfully achieve and maintain a leadership position. I really wanted this book to be different!...

10 Characteristics of Effective Nonprofit Leaders

It’s no secret we’re living in a world of increasing turmoil. Violence is escalating. Hate is rising. Lines are being drawn and redrawn every day as portions of our country band together to oppose others. Culturally and politically, we are as divided as we ever have...

6 Things Nonprofit Leaders Learn the Hard Way

6 Things Nonprofit Leaders Learn the Hard Way

If you're like me, the best lessons you learn are the ones you learn the hard way.  • Cutting corners usually comes back to bite you • Eating a big breakfast so you can cut down on your lunch and dinner-not so much • Cramming for a test the night before-good luck with...

Want to be a Better Leader?

Want to be a Better Leader?

Switch to this type of Leadership.  Leadership used to be simple and straightforward. The boss decided what had to be done, told someone, and that person or committee got working on it. Clear, simple, quick, and efficient. It was called top-down, or positional...

How to Make Better Decisions

How to Make Better Decisions

Decision making season is here. We're closing in on the end of 2018 and that can only mean one thing. For better or worse you probably have some tough decisions to make. Are there changes you need to make in your organization? People you need to let go, or new ones...

10 Ways to Deal With Difficult People in Your Nonprofit

10 Ways to Deal With Difficult People in Your Nonprofit

On the surface, leading a nonprofit might look like a piece of cake. You assemble a group of people passionate about the mission, point them in the right direction and get out of their way. For the most part, there are no ego problems, no hidden agendas, and no one...

Will End-of-Year Fundraising Be Risky For Your Agency?

Will End-of-Year Fundraising Be Risky For Your Agency?

Nonprofit leadership is challenging. And it's no secret that fundraising -- especially end-of-year fundraising - can easily top the list of stressors. Can you really count on all those pledges to come in at year-end? What if they don't? It's Fall of 2018 and once...

Could Serving on a Nonprofit Board Help Your Career?

Could Serving on a Nonprofit Board Help Your Career?

Does Board Service Help? We all have a LOT going on. Work commitments, family obligations, the never-ending list of things to do. We're already pulled in a dozen different directions, likely trying to steal time from wherever we can get it. So why would you pile one...

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