Developing leadership teams in the nonprofit sector is critical. Yet, Richard Brown, vice president of philanthropy at American Express, said many nonprofits lack the resources to develop their talents. At MCON 2015, Brown pointed out multiple ways we should develop leadership teams within our organizations.
1. Involve Everybody
Your organization should adopt a simple understanding—everybody is important. At nonprofit organizations, Brown said there should be an understanding and appreciation of every single person helping to achieve your mission.
Sure, not everybody can lead at the highest level, but developing your nonprofit leadership can help improve fluidity of operations for your organization. Make sure everybody feels valued at your NPO. If you can achieve that, you in turn create an environment where others feel like they can provide input and create the best team possible.
2. Be Deliberate
Brown pointed out that the millennial pool is the most educated and diverse generation in human history. It’s time for us to leverage that talent. When making leadership selections within your organization, utilize all that your team has to offer. That means you’ll need to actually dig deeper than surface level to find hidden talents and skills at your NPO. You could have an employee with a lucrative skill you haven’t yet tapped into.
3. Represent the Community
Individuals should be competent in including others in their leadership and organizations. Brown said the importance of making sure your entire community is represented, whether that be your organization or the community in the cause that you’re serving. Diversity is key for a meaningful leadership team.
In what ways do you think nonprofits can be better about developing leadership on a budget?
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