Imagine this: It’s time for your annual gala, and someone asks for a free ticket. You know they shouldn’t get one, but you struggle to say no.
I’ve faced this situation many times as a nonprofit leader. In this episode, I talk with Glennda Testone, who led the LGBT Community Center of NY and is now at the helm of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. She understands how tough it can be to handle these kinds of requests diplomatically.
It might seem like a small issue, but saying no is an essential skill for nonprofit leaders. First, you need the courage to say no, and then you need to learn how to do it diplomatically.
Glennda and I share our experiences, the challenges we’ve faced, and the lessons we’ve learned. I think you’ll see yourself in our stories. Join us to learn from our years of experience and pick up some tips that will serve you in your journey to ever-improving your leadership.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- You Are Not Alone: Leverage the strength of your team and avoid making tough decisions in isolation.
- The Importance of Saying No: Nonprofit leaders often find it hard to say no, but learning to do so is crucial to avoid overcommitment and inefficiency.
- Managing Programs Effectively: Glennda shares a difficult decision she made at the LGBT Community Center that was essential for the organization’s sustainability.
- Handling Staff and Board Dynamics: Clear communication and setting expectations with staff and board members are key to ensuring alignment and preventing conflicts.
- Dealing with Donors: Learn how to balance donor relationships with the practical needs of your organization.
QUOTES:
- “Nonprofit leaders are strong and fierce most of the time, except when they’re not.” – Joan Garry
- “I have made an explicit decision about who I was going to not please and be okay with that.” – Glennda Testone
- “If you keep saying yes to the end, you’re spending money you don’t have.” – Joan Garry
ABOUT GLENNDA TESTONE:
Glennda Testone is the CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. She’s a nonprofit leadership expert who spent 14 years as the Executive Director of New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Over the course of her tenure at The Center, she tripled the organization’s budget, strengthened its programs, and completed a $9M capital building renovation to transform the LGBTQ community’s home on West 13 Street. Additionally, she partnered with Google to launch the virtual reality experience of Stonewall Forever, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, and helped lead a racial equity transformation of the organization.
Testone previously served as Vice President at The Women’s Media Center and Senior Director of Media Programs for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).