During these times of turbulence and uncertainty in Washington, and around the world, nonprofit leaders and nonprofit staff can feel buffeted by forces beyond their control. The news cycle churns with unsettling headlines. Constant policy shifts create anxiety about funding and programs, and team members struggle to maintain focus amid the distractions of events. Trying to assess driving forces has never been more challenging. Yet this is when your organization’s mission and impact matter most.
The key is to create stability within your organization while acknowledging the storm outside.
Initiate honest conversations with your team about how external events affect them, and then guide these discussions toward what we can actually influence. Your nonprofit’s daily work — whether feeding families, supporting education, protecting the environment, or advancing the arts — continues to make a real difference, regardless of the shifting political currents.
Take deliberate steps to sustain your team’s wellbeing and their effectiveness for the long haul. This isn’t a sprint to get through until things “calm down” — it’s a marathon that requires pacing and mutual support. Be flexible about mental health needs while maintaining enough structure and routine to keep people grounded. When team members seem overwhelmed by national events, help them refocus on the tangible impact they’re making within their community.
Clear communication is vital. Share what you know about how policy changes might affect your nonprofit’s work, but avoid speculation and catastrophizing. Instead, emphasize how you’ll navigate changes together, drawing on your organization’s mission, vision and values. Your nonprofit has weathered storms before and its work will continue to matter, regardless of the daily news cycle.
- Is the turbulence in the U.S. and around the world disrupting your organization, directly or indirectly?
- How do you adjust your approach to management at times like these?
Watch this video about embracing change within your organization.