Transform Your Leadership Impact with a Trusted Thought Partner
Ask any nonprofit executive director: it can be lonely at the top. Even if you have the best team and the most supportive, high functioning board in the world, there are some days where it all comes down to your ability to make the right decision, juggling competing interests and a complex network of potential consequences.
In my 40+ years as a nonprofit executive director, I faced many such decision points, including a merger of two nonprofit alumni organizations, reallocating staff in the face of severe budget cuts, renaming and rebranding an organization, and more.
A turning point for me was gaining access to experienced thought partners – safe, knowledgeable sounding boards – who helped me navigate some of the toughest issues I faced.
What is a thought partner?
This blog describes a thought partner as a “trusted confidant a business leader can turn to for guidance.” The piece goes on to explain that a thought partner “helps the leader by challenging the leader’s assumptions and thought processes. A thought partner helps the leader examine the issue from all sides. The thought partner may point out some aspects of the problem facing the leader that the leader had not considered before.”
Keeping a nonprofit running can land even the best of us in the weeds. A good thought partner can help us see the forest, without losing the trees.
Why do even the most talented, experienced executive directors and CEOs benefit from thought partners?
An executive director or CEO is the most senior professional for most nonprofits. In many cases, they are one of the few paid professionals at the organization. Due to budget constraints, other staff members often lack high-level expertise in marketing, fundraising and/or technology, making the executive director/CEO the de facto senior professional in many of these areas. As a result, they spend a good amount of their time advising junior staffers around nonprofit best practices and strategies for effectively managing their respective areas. These junior staffers, in turn, don’t have the experience to provide counsel on leadership-level matters.
This can leave top executives feeling exposed and expected to have all the answers no matter what the problem. These professional leaders need a safe place to seek advice and counsel, and to noodle new ideas without placing themselves in a vulnerable position with either their boards or staff.
Why aren’t board members ideal thought partners?
While board members are often leaders in their own professions, serving as a trusted advisor to the executive director or CEO can lead to role confusion and even a conflict of interest. Also, in most cases, board members are not experienced in nonprofit leadership, which differs in many ways from corporate leadership roles.
What can executive directors accomplish through thought partnership?
Executive directors and nonprofit CEOs, and the organizations they lead, can benefit from establishing relationships with external professionals who can provide a neutral, experienced perspective. Thought partners/advisors offer the following benefits:
Knowledge and experience. An ideal advisor/thought partner has a deep knowledge of nonprofits, and specifically the role and responsibilities of an executive director or CEO. In many cases, they have “lived” the role. Based on their own experience, they can offer examples of how an executive director might handle certain situations and what the probable outcomes of each scenario would be. For instance, misalignment between the top executive leader and board president is a challenge many nonprofit executives face. An external advisor who has experienced similar situations can be a valuable partner in working through possible solutions.
Providing a sounding board for new ideas. Advisors help executive directors work through new ideas and significant organizational changes without fear of criticism or retribution. For example, an idea that might challenge the traditional mindset of a program director could be vetted and developed, as well as evaluated for pros and cons, before being brought to the team for consideration. Free and open brainstorming often results in more innovative programs.
Offering a safe place to discuss sensitive issues. Executive directors/CEOs are often placed in the position of dealing with highly sensitive issues, including disagreements among staff members. An objective, external advisor can help the leader talk through the issues and develop a plan of action that works for all parties involved.
Serving as a professional development resource. An advisor can provide one-to-one professional development, enabling busy nonprofit executives – who often don’t have time to attend conferences or seminars – to assess their strengths and weaknesses and make positive changes.
How can nonprofits afford thought partnership resources?
First, let me assure you that supporting a nonprofit executive director or CEO through thought partnership or advising is not a luxury item; it can bring invaluable benefits. Fortunately, thought leadership/advising services are available in many different formats and at many different price points, including one-to-one coaching on retainer or by the hour.
I have helped nonprofit leaders deal with issues like building new staffing models, evaluating national expansion strategies and conducting an in-depth review of financial processes. These are projects that have enormous, long-term impact on organizational growth and efficiency. Access to thought leadership resources can also enhance the longevity of executive directors who feel supported and experience the satisfaction of regular professional growth.
Now may be the right time to consider engaging a thought partner for your nonprofit’s executive director or CEO. Whether your organization is reeling from the impact of recent federal budget cuts, or your team is unsettled by the chilling effect these changes are having across the sector, an experienced, trusted advisor can help your executive leader keep the ship upright and moving in the right direction.
When executive leadership has the tools to be successful, your nonprofit will benefit and your community will feel the positive impact.
“Is there a better way?” – Vicki Burkhart is committed to helping nonprofits and their leaders think beyond the traditional and reimagine the status quo. With more than 40 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Vicki can help you think differently about how to manage your nonprofit organization so that you achieve real impact. For more information on strategic advising and thought leadership, schedule a consultation with Vicki.