Why do executive directors need to change? Really, it’s nonprofits that need to change under the leadership of executive directors. 

According to Seth Godin and others, “because the work they are doing is far too important to play it safe.  Risk, fail, try, risk, fail, succeed.”

If you want to grow as a leader, change your nonprofit and yourself, read on for strategies and ideas that you can adopt over time. 

Look around you at great executive directors who you know or respect.  What do they spend their time doing?   

They are infused with drive, passion, vision, commitment, and energy.  They walk through the world dissatisfied with the status quo. 

They talk to anyone who will listen about the change they want to see in the world. And they build a team and an organization that is empowered to make that change.

Ask yourself this: how important is the problem you’re trying to solve? 

Donors of all ages want to see solutions to problems, not just band-aids.  Solutions take many attempts to discover, refine and implement.  In between solutions are failures—lots of them.

Most nonprofit leadership is remarkably risk-adverse.  Never is this fear of being “different” more on display than in their efforts in fundraising. 

Read on for ways to overcome obstacles and take the leap. 

3 Strategies to Changing Yourself and Your Nonprofit

Adopt a forward thinking mindset

Do you believe that you’re doing everything in your power to provide the best programs possible given the limitations of your organization?

I know I did early on in my career. I meant well, and I did good work.

But I operated day to day and stayed in my comfort zone. I let the excuses of not having enough time or money drive my behavior.

It’s widely accepted that the real problem (with overcoming obstacles) is a negative, limiting mindset. Run, don’t walk and get this life- changing book Mindset – The New Psychology of Success.

You’ll change your thinking about what’s possible lickety split.

Do you really believe that the “real work” is JUST the “programs” you operate?  (the school you run; the meals you serve; the vaccines you develop; the patients you treat?)   

Do you believe that it ends there? Stick with the tried and true (what we think is effective).  Focus only on what you can see and that which generates immediate, concrete results. 

If your ideas and programs and people and vision are so great, shouldn’t people be willing to reach into their pockets and fund them?   

Change your mindset and view your donors differently. 

Surround yourself with changemakers

This is incredibly powerful and probably one of the most important things you can do. I’ll pat my own back here. I’ve done it well and it’s made a huge difference in my life.

When I talk about changemakers, I mean both ordinary people like you and me (those that do extraordinary things often times behind the scenes)…

…and the more visible kind. When you are out in the community spending time with people that are a few steps ahead of you, it happens.  

Do this, and you’ll see results quickly.

Embrace personal and professional development

Becoming a lifelong learner is the key to success for ALL leaders. Especially ED’s who tend to be immersed in the day to day.

Best practices for nonprofit leadership, fundraising, donor communications, and governance are changing by the nanosecond.

Attending conferences, workshops, and networking with your colleagues is how to stay up to date, find the changemakers, and stay sane.

Prioritize this in your budget for you, the board and your staff. The return on investment is indisputable.

Your job as an executive director (together with your board) is to be an evangelist for your idea and to convince others about the change you want to see in the world. 

Now is the moment.

Set your course, get your donors and board on board, and set sail.

How good is your idea?  How important is your cause? 

Will your organization be the one that steps out to succeed by first “failing”? 

Do you need a mindset shift – yes or no?  Let me know below.