NONPROFIT LEADERS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE
I am increasingly struck by the highs and the lows, and the rewards and challenges of nonprofit leadership. Having been on the “outside” for a number of years, working with nonprofit leaders in a consulting capacity, it is clear to me how HARD leading a nonprofit organization is (I must have forgotten!). The highs are high and the lows are low, and this seems to be particularly true today. I want to take a moment to reflect on the tough job Executive Directors have and suggest something that we know can be effective. Because WE see you!
I recently read this article on “Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2022."
Here’s what “trends” we can expect:
The mental health crisis in our country, compounded by COVID, isn’t going away
The impending recession = inflation, cost of living, housing insecurity, and ongoing supply chain issues
Continued racial injustices coupled with a lack of meaningful response by our country’s leaders
The "great resignation" as it's called and high staff turnover
To say this article left me feeling overwhelmed and discouraged is an understatement! Where does all this leave nonprofit leaders? No wonder we are seeing such burnout among our CEOs. And you might feel alone with all of this, but you're not. We see you and we know that you are fighting every day for your community, your staff, and yourself.
The author of the Forbes article referenced the African proverb, “it takes a village [to raise a child].” The proverb teaches us that it takes many people to provide the safe, healthy environment that children need to develop and flourish and realize their hopes and dreams. The same applies to adults/professionals. To do the work we do, it takes all of us to come together and lean on each other, share resources, ideas, tools, and create safety where it feels like there is none. In a very small way, Richard and I provide this through our monthly Leader’s Circle. We create a safe environment for nonprofit leaders to connect each month to commiserate/vent, learn, share, and support each other.
It is easy to forget that our circumstances are usually not unique. In fact, when someone in our Leader’s Circle brings up an issue that they are struggling with, at least 4-5 others members are grappling with a similar issue. Experiencing this and knowing that you are not alone is transformative. This is why being part of a supportive community is so powerful.
Why not engage your peers and collaborate, share resources, and build a mutually supportive and trusting community? It will help you to tackle the hard stuff. You could create your own informal peer group, or join a more formalized, established group such as our free monthly Leader’s Circle. Another option is provided by Community Shares here in Colorado. They offer several peer learning circles for EDs, leaders of color, young nonprofit professionals, etc. https://www.cshares.org/executive-leadership-institute.html (.)
Given that we are halfway through 2022, the current trends have likely already impacted you. I don’t want to minimize the current crises, but there will always be challenging circumstances and tragic events that add to the burden of our professional roles. Instead of facing them alone, join forces with others and face them together. It actually does take a village!
“Despair shows us the limit of our imagination. Imagination shared creates collaboration, and collaboration creates community, and community inspires social change.” – Terry Tempest Williams