Nobody Warned Me About the “Executive Director 20”!
Ever hear of the “Freshman 15”? You know, the 1st year of college when you put on 15 pounds due to pizza, beer, and stress? Did you know there’s an “ED 20”?
Board Retreats Done Right
Think about your last board retreat. You’ve invested all this time and money. Your board members gave up a Friday night and full day on Saturday. And yet, just months later, they can barely even remember the agenda, much less any outcomes. Wow. This is NOT OK! Here’s how to do a whole lot better.
How Effective is Your Board? Here’s a Simple Test
Most boards are dysfunctional because board members don’t know any better. They don’t know what ‘functional” looks like. Here’s a simple board assessment tool you can use to help you figure out how to fix the dysfunction.
It’s Time to Hire Your First Development Staffer
Congrats! Your nonprofit is ready to make its first development hire. Who exactly should you be looking for? My downloadable job description should help.
The Roles and Responsibilities of the Board Chair and Executive Director
Let me break it down for you: The roles and responsibilities of the Executive Director, the board chair, and the grey area where you need to work together.
Is It Ever OK to Micromanage Staff?
Are you a micromanager? And is it always such a bad thing to micromanage? Maybe not. Here are some ways to tell the difference and some antidotes if you are micromanaging your staff.
Do You Need a Coach, a Mentor, or Both?
The life of a leader can feel lonely. Today I’d like to explore the distinction between a coach and a mentor and offer some advice on how to find a mentor.
10 Truths Every Board Member Should Know
You’ve just joined a nonprofit board. You love the work the organization does. But you’re also not sure what exactly you got yourself into. Some advice…
How to Know When You Are Overdoing It
I recently attended a 2 week “health bootcamp” and want to share some lessons I learned. Some are personal. Most are unflattering. All are educational…
How to Be a Great Board Member
Gloria is a former board chair. She wants to be a GREAT board member. But unless she changes her approach, her board will never get its act together.
How to Fire Someone
You have folks who are rockstars. Some you’re not sure about. And those who really just need to get off at the next stop. Here’s how to kick ’em to the curb.
Lessons on Creating a Legacy
Kari’s and Todd’s stories can help us make sense of those times when we ask ourselves: How can I make sure that some good comes from this tragedy?