Newsletter &
Blog

Weekly inspiration for building your nonprofit leadership skills.

First Assistant

It’s useful to think of yourself as “first assistant to” your direct reports. You want people at every level to understand the organization’s goals and objectives and make decisions that align with th

You are Never too Young to Lead

I’ve often noted that one of the most valuable experiences a young, ambitious person can have is to work for excellent managers. And the reverse can be equally true: one of the most valuable experienc

Problem-Solving and the “Let’s Do” Attitude

The ongoing dysfunction in Washington in both the House and the Senate highlights the importance of effective problem-solving. Nonprofits are constantly faced with making difficult decisions toward so

Your Say/Do Ratio

Regular readers of my newsletter and my books know that my cornerstone saying and belief is that respecting and trusting your people is the foundation of all good management. The character of your org

Ask Simple Questions

Continuing on the theme of staffing from the last two newsletters, I want to share some insights prompted by an article that David Brooks wrote in the New York Times a few years ago titled “Nine Nonob

When It’s Time for Change, Don’t Start with the Staff

I talked recently about the hiring challenges that nonprofits face, and shared a tip for finding new prospects to join your team. Let’s look at staffing from another angle. When a nonprofit struggles

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