Are the required skills for nonprofit leadership changing? We explored this provocative question with nonprofit leaders at a recent MANP Capacity Builders Toolbox session and asked the opinion of a number of executive directors with whom we work. There is no official answer waiting at the end of this article, so join us in the exploration. Do any of these thoughts resonate with you? 

• Having a passion for a specific issue is not enough. You need programmatic skills and also nonprofit administrative experience.

• The skills needed are drastically changing as the culture of nonprofits has totally changed. Leaders need great vision and also an extensive range of skills

• This is the first time we have four generations in the workplace. The generations communicate differently and have different expectations of their workweek. Because of this and other factors, leaders have to continually re-invent the nonprofit.

• The essential skills are not changing. There are tried and true skills that great leaders have always needed.

• In all honesty I don't know if the skills required of nonprofit leaders are changing.  More focus on fundraising due to the lame economy and social injustice in the economy? More need for good governance skills to help board members to be more effective fundraisers?  I really don't know if these are new concerns or not.  

• Leadership is changing as we continue in this time of uncertainty. It is necessary to adapt, to hone in on what is mission-critical, and to embrace change -in the spirit of Change as the Mother of Invention - to determine where the needs are highest and what programs should be kept, to strategically replace lost funding streams, and to look at staffing patterns. And, it is particularly important not to get caught up in doing more with less. These times demand a level of openness and communication that allows staff, board, and volunteers to share in that uncertainty.

Here are a few of the shifts leaders are dealing with: moving toward value-raising (showing a return on investment); the need for the board to partner with the executive director to form a team; retirees bringing significant skills and experience and wanting to make a difference; the need to develop leaders throughout an organization and to have succession plans in place for all leaders; identifying what leaders can take off their plates in order to focus on the big work; paying attention to self care throughout the organization; playing on a national scene; having less tolerance for petty behavior or issues; the imperative to raise significant funds and create strategic collaborations.

What is your perspective on this question?

NEWS FLASH!!!  Bangor executives start date for a Paddling the Rapids group is January 23, 2012.  3 places remain.  Contact us. 

Deb and Carol facilitate high quality leadership development for the nonprofit sector.  Since 2002 over 100  executive directors have taken part in Paddling the Rapids peer consultation groups and rave about their experiences.  

Does the idea of meeting with your peers in a confidential environment pique your interest?  This group of 8 executive directors will dive into topics that are difficult to discuss in other arenas.  Come away feeling inspired, renewed, re-focused, and more able to tackle your challenges while also experiencing the joys of being a nonprofit leader today.  

"It has been really good to have a place where I can come and admit that I don't know everything and realize that others have similar feelings as executive directors.  This is one of the places where I get reinforcement about a group working together being smarter than individuals struggling alone." 

~ Executive Director, participant

INTERESTED? Want more information?  We would be glad to call you or put you in touch with a past participant.  Your peers have said this is one of the best quality professional development opportunities they know of.  Contact us. 

CURIOUS?  Go to www.paddlingtherapids.com for details, testimonials and information about additional services offered.

SOME DETAILS:  meets monthly for 8 sessions, $800, time and place decided by participants.  A group in Bangor will begin in January.

Use Reflective Practices for Workplace Learning

"Cheshire Puss,' she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. `Come, it's pleased so far,' thought Alice, and she went on. `Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'

'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.

`I don't much care where--' said Alice.

`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.

`--so long as I get SOMEWHERE,' Alice added as an explanation.

`Oh, you're sure to do that,' said the Cat, `if you only walk long enough."

--Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland