Founder, 4MyCiTy Inc. Passionate about creating a more equitable world by reducing food waste and hunger.
Leading a nonprofit is both an honor and a burden. Nonprofit leaders are blessed with the ability to make real positive change in their communities, but to do that, they must bear the burden of juggling multiple responsibilities while resisting the pull of compassion fatigue and burnout.
If you are currently in a nonprofit leadership role or hoping to attain one, these five key traits should be on your radar. If you have them, nurture them. And if you don’t have them yet, work to develop them, because these traits can be the difference between thriving and surviving in a leadership role.
1. Empathy
Empathy is perhaps the most important quality a nonprofit leader can possess. This is because a nonprofit and all it accomplishes is built on empathy, from serving a community that is struggling to persuading donors to “give from the heart,” empathy is at the center of it all.
Empathetic leaders are also more likely to inspire trust and cooperation in their teams. This can lead to a more pleasant and productive work environment that’s also more productive.
Developing your own empathetic powers starts with curiosity about others. Think deeply about what the people around you and those you serve experience on a daily basis. Here are some exercises that can help you develop more empathy.
2. Effective Communication
The cornerstone of getting things done in any organization is effective communication. Nonprofit leaders who are able to competently communicate with stakeholders, staff, volunteers, donors and the public are more likely to meet their goals. From earning grants to raising funds from private donors to finding and addressing the needs of the communities you serve, effective communication paves the way to great results.
Effective communication is key to our operations at 4MyCiTy. During Covid-19, we coordinated food distributions across 18 states, which was a complicated, multi-state undertaking with countless stakeholders and deadlines. With clearly defined guidelines for our truck drivers, volunteers, site administrators, leaders and police personnel, we were able to deliver on our promises. Without effective communication, it would have been practically impossible to be successful with such an intricate and wide-reaching operation.
To improve your communication skills, focus on being clear and concise, be mindful of non-verbal communication such as posture and gestures, and make sure to listen deeply to the other person. Harvard University offers some easy tips to improve your communication skills here.
3. Strong Boundaries
Any driven professional can tell you that strong boundaries between work and home are necessary to prevent burnout. Passionate nonprofit leaders who are driven by the desire to help others often find themselves working all hours of the day and night because their drive to “do good” is so powerful. That’s a noble characteristic, but it can lead to burnout.
We have a “no-work policy” for weekends and holidays at 4MyCiTy. I firmly believe family time for my team is important because it keeps them connected to their loved ones, which keeps them connected to the foundation of why we do the work we do—to help others.
Make sure you set strong boundaries that protect your resting time, including strict office hours, not checking emails on weekends and committing to working only a certain number of hours each week. Remember, you are your best tool for success. Treat yourself like the valuable asset you are, and give yourself permission to rest.
4. Resistance To Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue happens when people become emotionally overburdened by the suffering of others. Symptoms of compassion fatigue include depression, fatigue, decreased productivity and feeling on edge. As a nonprofit leader, it’s easy to develop compassion fatigue because your days are full of discussing, addressing and thinking about the pain and suffering of others. Left unchecked, it can destroy your motivation and productivity.
You can get ahead of compassion fatigue and stop it in its tracks by learning to recognize the signs and knowing when to take a step back for some self-care. Time away from your work can help, as well as mindfulness training, meditation and creating a healthy work-life balance.
5. Resourcefulness
If you want to be successful in any endeavor, resourcefulness is required. Nonprofit leaders who want to maximize their organizations’ impact in the world often use every resource available to help them meet their goals. That can include community partners, personal relationships, other nonprofits, social media, donors, supporters, local businesses, volunteers and more.
To me, resourcefulness comes down to passion. How much do you want to reach your goals? Are you willing to keep going even if you believe the odds are not in your favor? Passion fuels resourcefulness.
As they say, your network is your net worth. Learn to build a resource arsenal of people and organizations that can lend a helping hand when you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use the resources at your disposal with pride, because one day you may be asked to do the same for others.
Nonprofit Leadership Is Rewarding When You Have The Right Skills
Leading a nonprofit can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life if you have or develop the skills to do it right. Work on developing these key traits of a successful nonprofit leader, and you are more likely to achieve the positive impacts you aspire to in your community.
Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
