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Blog

Weekly inspiration for building your nonprofit leadership skills.

Nonprofit Boards and Bad News

Some chief executives use board sessions to do a lot of cheerleading and pointing to all the accomplishments they’ve presided over. Since the chief executive serves at the pleasure of the board, it’s

Mission Statements Reinforce Organizational Values

Here are a few mission statements from prominent nonprofit organizations: The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Make a Wish America: Toge

Number One or Two—Or Not at All

Experienced strategic managers learn that if an organization cannot be number one or two in its “market” then it should evolve elsewhere. Below that level is a difficult place to sit. I call organizat

Succession Issues

When it is time for a CEO to leave, succession issues become pervasive within a nonprofit. The process of grooming possible successors can be divisive, often creating a distraction. Senior staff tend

Interacting

Everywhere I worked I enjoyed interacting with people, whether they were ranked well above me or they performed entry level jobs. I have no tolerance for anyone who lords their position or power over

Sometimes a Decision is a Good Decision — Until it’s no Longer a Good Decision

With shifting social and economic cycles, things happen unexpectedly that can help or hurt an organization. I’ve talked in the past about “facing the elevator door,” as a way of thinking about opportu

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