Leadership

What Leadership Issues Face Nonprofits Today?

Nonprofits need to understand the changing dynamics of leadership in the nonprofit sector. In recent decades there has been an unprecedented growth in the sector. With so many new nonprofits, the sector offers new opportunities for leaders – and faces critical challenges resulting from demographic and socio-economic shifts. These opportunities and challenges are not just for new organizations; mature organizations gain new leaders, and veteran organizations must change with the times. With ever-growing needs for services provided by nonprofits and ever-tightening resources, effective leadership in our sector is needed now, more than ever before.

• Daring to Lead: a national study of nonprofit executive leadership. (Source: CompassPoint)

Where Can Nonprofit Leaders Find Training?

Whether you never expected to be a nonprofit leader, or have always planned to be one, connecting with your State Association of nonprofits is a great way to start. Your State Association will keep you and your nonprofit connected to issues that impact your mission, your funding, and the policy environment in your state that enables your nonprofit to thrive.

Many State Associations of nonprofits offer leadership training opportunities especially designed for nonprofit board and staff leaders. Some offer awards programs that celebrate but also educate nominees about leadership skills needed to effectively manage a nonprofit today. Find your State Association here. Leadership training opportunities are also available through universities, colleges, and other organizations that regularly provide training for nonprofit professionals.

You can use this Leadership Self-Assessment Tool offered on the website of the National School Boards Association to conduct a self-assessment to determine what aspects of leadership training might be most helpful to you.

Important topics for nonprofit leaders:

• Challenges shared by over 300 nonprofit executives are reported in Daring to Lead 2011. (Source: CompassPoint)
• Setting Priorities and Delegating Duties. One of the biggest challenges for nonprofit leaders, is knowing what fire to put out first. The report, Leadership Priorities: What Facets of Management Shouldn’t You Delegate? (Source: Bridgespan) argues that aligning staff around the organization’s strategic priorities, and developing its next leaders, should never be delegated.
• Knowing Your “Leadership Blindspot." We all have them. Beware Your Leadership Blindspots, suggests tips, including getting 360-degree feedback, to help leaders "improve their leadership eyesight." (Source: Bridgespan)
• Strategic Alliances: In these tough times, efficiency and effectiveness can often be improved through strategic alliances. (Source: First Nonprofit)
• Developing Next Generation Leadership. Tips for working with Millenials.
• Diversity: Developing a nonprofit workplace for the 21st Century.
• Coaching: Resources on coaching as a strategy for developing and supporting leadership. (Source: CompassPoint)
• Planning for Leadership Succession. Read more information about both planned and emergency leadership transitions from the Council of Nonprofits’ resources on Leadership Succession.
• Interim Executive Directors. Why and how to hire an interim director. (Source: North Carolina Center for Nonprofits)

Other Resources

• Evaluating the Executive Director - Your role as a Board Member (First Nonprofit Foundation)
• There are many useful publications focused on the subject of leadership. One favorite of the team at the National Council of Nonprofits and State Association leaders is The Leadership Challenge, by James Kouzes & Barry Posner (2007). See the following resources for additional information on leadership:
• What Helps Leaders Grow: Highlights from the Fund for Leadership Advancement, James Irvine Foundation (2009).
• The Council of Nonprofits' Bibliography of Leadership Resources is a collection of "oldies but goodies" on this topic.
• In a 2009 report entitled, The Sustainability Formula: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Thrive in the Emerging Economy (TCC Group), the authors conclude that effective leadership is the strongest predictor of nonprofit sustainability.
• Many State Associations and other organizations offer nonprofit leadership awards.

This link will take you to other texts on leadership featured in the Council of Nonprofits' online bookstore.