Dear Brittany: Congratulations on your new job. Today is the beginning of an opportunity and a challenge for you. The good news is there has never been a better time to work for a nonprofit. You are so creative! I bet that showed in your interviews. You have ideas and experiences that will help the …
Author Archives: merlebenny
My grief & my purpose
I’m returning this week, finally able to put thoughts into words. Two weeks ago, my brother-in-law Jim died suddenly. Life was challenging for him, yet he was full of love and laughter. It was around the same time my mother began receiving hospice care. Last Wednesday I sat with my mom for the last time. …
Are you boring or engaging?
When I gather with a group of nonprofit leaders and ask them to introduce themselves, I hear one person after another talk about the work they do. They use jargon, insider-speak, buzz words. They talk about the boss, a challenge they are facing, and find a variety of ways to describe their day-to-day work. My …
The Lonely Model
The Executive Director (sometimes called Chief Executive Officer, like their for-profit counterparts) is isolated. As the sole leader of an organization, they are stuck between the board and the staff. Yes, stuck. Who can they talk to? Share ideas with? Take risks with? Exploring, and even failing, are essential parts of leadership. But in a …
Start small, dream big
It’s time again to think about how we gather. We’ve gotten so used to virtual meetings, we may have forgotten the joy of being in a room together. But, no matter how you are doing it, great meetings are the place to turn dreams into reality! Let’s explore the power of coming together with purpose …
Build a Better Board
Every organization needs a good board. Yet new organizations seem to have trouble figuring out why the need them and where to find them. Even established organizations struggle to have an active board. I’ve seen all kinds of board members – rich, poor, arrogant, meek. Some work hard, really hard, to make the organization a …
Crisis Brings Opportunity
The past year has given us a new perspective – and new challenges. These changes remind us that with crisis comes opportunity. Big leaps forward have historically come from crisis. Twenty years ago there was a financial crisis and one result was the gig economy. Prior to that you wouldn’t have thought of paying to …
use your words.
Communication drives success. Think about your heroes. What do they all have in common? Throughout history our most respected and memorable heroes are great orators, or great writers, or both. Whether they are founders, philosophers, politicians, scientists, religion, artist, or business leaders, the most influential are also the best communicators. Orators traditionally used the stage …
What’s your leadership style?
Not all leaders are the same. In fact, the only thing they all have in common is a willingness to step forward and make something happen. When you are planning to run a meeting, facilitate a workshop, or chair an event, it helps to think about your style first. Think of yourself as a Leader …
It’s not someone’s job, it’s everyone’s job.
Imagine how much more powerful your organization would be if you multiplied the number of people who felt prepared and empowered to talk about the organization’s vision! The more people spreading the word, the more donors, volunteers, and advocates you have. Simple math says it makes sense. Why don’t organizations work this way now? Change …
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