Based on the current economic situations that the nonprofit industry is facing, I want to share a few things I think are the basics that we need to get back to as leaders and fundraisers in the nonprofit sector.
- Relationships are key – One thing that stands the test of time is relationships (if we maintain them). Well maintained and healthy relationships based on a win/win mindset almost always stand the test of time.
- Communication is a must – The only way to rid away the uncertainty and uneasiness of the people you lead is to consistently communicate to them. Always emphasize that you understand the tough times going on right now and remind them you’re doing your best to lead them out of it.
- Expect the best from your people – When budgets are shrinking and you’re looking for ways to save money, the sole responsibility doesn’t rest on you as the leader. As one person you can only do so much. When times are tough you need to rely on the people you lead to innovate and come up with new ideas to save money and increase efficiency within your organization. Many folks in the nonprofit sector call this, “running lean.”
- Focus on your #1 – Jim Collins, author of Good to Great stresses the idea of creating a ‘stop doing list.’ The stop doing list consists of everything that is not 100 percent productive and efficient for you and your organization. One of the keys to running lean is to focus the majority of your energy and attention on doing your number one activity. If there is anything that you’re doing right now that doesn’t serve people in need the most, then it’s time to get rid of it. This can be a very hard decision for leaders in the nonprofit sector because we always see a need in the community and we do everything that we can to fill that need. We feel that if we don’t fill the need then no one else will. So we do everything that we can to serve the people that need help, regardless if we know how to do it, or if we can do it very well. Instead, find ways to collaborate with other organizations to do the same work and work together to serve those people in need.
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