There is an urgent need to rethink how we support nonprofits, and to question outdated beliefs that limit their potential. It’s important to invest in nonprofit infrastructure and talent, similar to for-profit companies, to solve complex societal issues. Here’s how to understand how changing our approach can enhance the impact of nonprofits.

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Coaching relationships are sacred spaces. In these relationships, the person being coached trusts the coach to: See them in moments of great vulnerability without judgment Hold their thoughts, hopes, and struggles as they process and plan Provide accurate, honest, and firm feedback when warranted Respect that the choices they make and consequences they’re willing to face are their own As a coach, I must: Accept what is shared with me as the truth in that moment Ask probing, relevant questions that expand thinking Coach the person in front of me now, not the person I hope them to be Be…

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No matter where you sit politically, it can be a challenge to have open, heartfelt discussions while still maintaining connection and trust. Navigating Challenging Dialogue® (NCD) is a proven tool for having tough conversations while maintaining connection. Connection is essential for our existence and sustainability as a species. See here how the NCD Mantras serve as anchors while you engage in dialogue with those who you might not agree with.

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Leadership development is a primary concern for the sustainability and growth of all organizations, but especially in the nonprofit sector. Most, not all, nonprofit leaders are “home grown” meaning you have grown up in the organization or field you now work in. In the process of promotion, what is frequently missing is support for developing these new leaders in the art of leading humans. This development is essential because the skills, habits, patterns, and strengths that raised you to do the work well are not the same ones that will serve the organization well from a leadership and sustainability standpoint.

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After I’d worked with a leadership team for several hours, a participant very courageously spoke up. “I’m not convinced that when we are working together, we are all rowing in the same direction.” If I let the that statement drop, with no acknowledgment or further engagement from their peers, the lesson of the day would have been, “Don’t be courageous. Don’t risk speaking the truth. Because it isn’t safe to do so here.” I knew my job was to acknowledge the uncomfortable but truthful statement while bringing the group back to the concern about team alignment and accountability.

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Social enterprise is a sustainable financial growth model that promotes philanthropy through profit generation. Possibly the biggest challenge to launching this type of model is that it requires is a shift in nonprofit thinking. The first step is to begin with …

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Often the work we do is hard, sometimes even heartbreaking. The ability to solve complex social issues and to make change, in both public and private organizations, can take time and patience. Sometimes that leads to feeling overwhelmed, which can lead to focusing only on the hard parts, and having less space for joy. Here are some steps that may help you get closer to feeling joy.

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Being invited into an existing team is an acknowledgement of your skills and potential. It is one step forward as you develop your leadership presence. But not all teams know how to effectively integrate someone new. Here are some steps you can take to facilitate your own smooth entry to an existing team.

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Building sustainable long-term trust is essential for anyone who manages, leads, or hopes to lead people. Building that trust begins not with others, but with our own actions and behaviors. In times of uncertainty and rapid change, it is critical that leaders are aware of the ways in which they demonstrate their trustworthiness. And it’s equally important to be aware of the ways in which they demonstrate being untrustworthy.

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The world is hard to take right now, so I seek out ways to find joy, laugh, and be inspired. One way I do this is by turning off the news and listening to something uplifting that releases oxytocin, known as the bonding or love hormone. Lately, I’ve been listening to Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ podcast “Wiser Than Me” where she talks with older women she respects. She invites their stories and reflections with great curiosity. I always feel good after listening.

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