10 Things I Know About... Leading A Nonprofit
10. Servant First
The 6th century B.C. Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu taught that leadership embodies selflessness and that enlightened leadership is service. This, in my opinion, is the greatest truth concerning the act of leading.
9. Core Values
Values serve as a set of beliefs that help govern our actions and serve as the guideposts from which we define and judge ourselves.
8. Character Counts
If a leader covets power for self-serving ends, that is what his/her life will be known for. If a leader values the respect and friendship of others and pursues a life of benevolence toward others his/her life will be so remembered.
7. Visionary Visions
A leader must be able to gather a great deal of information, analyze it, and project tendencies before they occur. However insight is not enough. A leader must also posses “entheos” — or enthusiasm — to pursue with determined resolve a desired future.
6. Make Friends
A leader is not an island or a rock. A genuine leader values and dignifies those who are led.
5. Actions Speak
Lead ethically. A leader witnesses to others—in deeds, behaviors, and expressed values—the nature of who they are.
4. Look Inward
It is a good practice for every leader, from time to time, to reflect honestly on one’s life.
3. Laser-Like Focus
Be prepared to be the last to turn off the office lights at the end of the day.
2. Win, Lose Or Draw
Nonprofit leaders need to attract people who complement their strengths and weaknesses and share the successes achieved with everyone. Failures however, are all yours!
1. Innovation
Successful nonprofits are led by men and women who are obsessed with the process of searching for innovative ideas and opportunities.
Jordan is president & CEO of the Seven Hills Foundation in Worcester. He is also an adjunct professor at Clark University and is an assistant professor at the Medical University of South Carolina.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments