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 model where everyone else is who the ED reports to (the board) or who reports to the ED (the staff), it’s hard to be an explorer.
The last thing a nonprofit organization needs is to stifle creativity.
In the book Forces for Good: Six Practices of Highly Effective Nonprofits, the authors make the case for shared leadership, “strong leadership doesn’t only exist at the very top of high-impact nonprofits; rather, it extends throughout the organization.” They go on to say that the successful organizations they studied use leadership to empower others.
The successful leader of fast-growth organizations should seek to inspire, rather than control. They should create space for creativity and innovation rather than protect their “turf.”
When everyone has opportunities to grow, share, lead, and connect, the the organization is stronger. Don’t count on one person. Open up the possibility for growth, diversity, and sustainability by giving everyone a voice.