I’m not sure why, but I happen to love transportation metaphors when it comes to working with nonprofit leaders. Those of you who’ve read my book know that I consider a thriving nonprofit like a twin-engine jet.
I’ve also been known to talk about the turbulent waters and stormy seas of the nonprofit sector and small nonprofit organizations like small boats wishing they had better windshield wipers.
In November, my colleague Joi and I tried to come up with a holiday gift for friends, partners, and clients. I have a tendency to be a little silly (remind me to tell you about the talking gifts I sent one year), and Joi keeps me in check to ensure that I lean more in the ‘classy’ direction.
This year, she talked me out of seat belts.
I had this idea to go online and buy vintage seat belts as holiday gifts. The metaphor could not be more obvious – get something clients really, really need to navigate 2026.
Joi exerted veto power, and I went with succulents instead.
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that a seat belt solves the symptom – keeps you in your seat during rough patches, but doesn’t address the real issue.
You get through rough patches because it matters that you do.
You get through rough patches because the destination matters.
You get through rough patches because you have a why.
I can’t take credit for this concept – Simon Sinek is the go-to on this concept. His Ted Talk and his book are definites for leaders in any sector
Sooooooo…
On New Year’s Eve, I jumped into the vibrant Village of changemakers in the Nonprofit Leadership Lab – consider joining us! – and suggested that the most important thing they needed to carry with them in 2026 – not just to get ‘through’ 2026 but to motivate, innovate, and thrive – was their why.
Welllll…
It turns out that reading their ‘whys’ fueled ME. The diversity of their motivations, their eloquence – put gas in my tank (oh dear, more transportation).
And I thought that as you start this year, I would share some of them with you – they were a gift to me, and so I thought they would feel like a gift to you (and definitely better than seat belts).
Here goes. We received so many; I picked some of the most powerful ones and any that choked me up.
- “Because I’m a believer in people, in justice, and that we should care for/look out for each other.”
- “Because of the incredible families in the Down Syndrome community. I’d do anything for them.”
- “All people, including those with disabilities, deserve the opportunity for employment and for businesses to understand that it’s not charity, it’s good business with real benefits.”
- “For the passion and joy of it.” (Note from Joan: remember this one on the hard days!)
- “Positive individual impact with a global ripple effect.”
- “Our work fuels my soul and my community.”
- I do this work because society accepts the dire outcomes of foster care as normal. These outcomes are not inevitable
- Community. Love. Joy. Agency.
- “Because I can.”
- Because I believe in a better tomorrow. My current work to advance early childhood education is my opportunity to make a lasting impact on people I will never know personally, but who matter a great deal to me and my community.
- My religious beliefs as a Jewish person. I believe that it is my obligation to help repair our world, to make it a better place. I don’t have the weight of the world on my shoulders–I don’t have to complete the job–but I have to do my part.
- Because we can do better than this.
- Because it is an honor to make an impact in someone’s final days.”
- Because we need art everywhere – it reminds us of our humanity and the beauty of our world.
- “Because we rise by lifting others.”
Here goes. Can I ask you a favor?
- Go back and re-read them. And stop after each one. Hear in these WHYS, the voices of leaders, of people who understand that we are all neighbors. People who are not looking for others to solve problems but feel, as one member put it, “If not me, then who?”
I would like to end by saying…
I love being in the company of our members, deeply committed to their work (through their WHYS) and people who know that a continuous learning journey among a community of kindred spirits is essential to lifting our clients, our community, and our sector up for the world to see.
