“Great leaders must have two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate that vision clearly.” Simon Sinek Communication is the basic element of your success. Think about your heroes. What do they all have in common? They talk, they tell stories, they get your attention through …
Tag Archives: Merle Benny
Onboarding: An Action Plan
I read about a 3rd grade teacher, I’ll call her Ms. Smarts, who took an unusual approach. At the start of each school year she put aside the lesson plans. She ignored the usual curriculum. Instead, for the first three months she worked at nurturing her students. Ms. Smarts cared about their self-esteem, teamwork, and …
Becoming a Nonprofit Champion
Juliette Low inspired Merle to become a Nonprofit Champion
Lessons from the lectern, becoming a great speaker
I’ve made every public speaking mistake. At one big event, I forget the words I had memorized and stood there like a dummy with my mouth open and nothing coming out. Embarrassing! I’ve been boring, talked too fast, and read every word. It took practice to get better. I had to take chances, get honest …
Continue reading “Lessons from the lectern, becoming a great speaker”
Communication: 4 reasons it matters today
Building an organization of communicators is more urgent every day. There has never been more urgency for nonprofits to step up their communications. Each and every employee and volunteer should be empowered to speak for the vision and mission of the organization. Why now? Here are four reasons why it matters every day in 2022 …
Continue reading “Communication: 4 reasons it matters today”
Leader @ the Center
I loved Suzi the first time I met her. She was a new employee and the youngest person in the room. Yet, there was something about her. Wherever she was things were happening. As I worked with her on several different projects, I began to see what it was that made her so special. Suzi …
Step 1: Be a Great Conversation Starter
Think about your heroes. What do they all have in common? They talk, they tell stories, they get your attention through words. Communication is the basic element of all success. Throughout history our most respected and memorable heroes are great orators, or great writers, or both. Whether they are founders, philosophers, politicians, scientists, leaders in …
Great Nonprofit Leaders Tell Stories, Here’s Your Secret Formula
Stories are magical. Everyone is hard-wired for stories, you enjoy them, you are influenced by them, and you react to them. When you become a great storyteller (and I’m about to give you the secret formula), you get more of what you want. Nonprofits have many stories to share. In fact, you are making new …
Continue reading “Great Nonprofit Leaders Tell Stories, Here’s Your Secret Formula”
A Letter to Brittany
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 …
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 …