By Diane Bauhof, CFRE, Senior Consultant
Has this question ever crossed your mind? Maybe you’ve been working at a nonprofit for 10, maybe 20, years. You’ve led a successful development team or program team for at least half of that time. And you’ve watched two or three Executive Directors come through your organization. You think, “Yeah, I can do this.”
I love your confidence – that’s the first step to Executive Director success! Feeling called to lead a nonprofit organization to help make the world a better place is an equally important step. It’s truly admirable. However, what else should be considered when passion alone can’t sustain you forever?
Consider the following insights as you ponder combining your passion and your purpose:
- It’s all on your shoulders. Even with a Board of Directors with governance responsibility and a talented staff, it’s your responsibility for the day-to-day operations – payroll, staff morale, program execution, donors, finances, human resources, facilities, and so much more. You have to carry this load while still carrying your personal load.
- You are the success or failure of the Board. A good Executive Director works continually on their relationship with the Board Chair, committee chairs, and all Board members. The more you put into them, the more you’ll get out of them. I hear many Executive Directors say that their Board doesn’t “do anything.” Or they don’t fundraise. Or they don’t attend meetings and events. Those might be true statements, but it’s the Executive Director’s responsibility to help train and guide the Board to best support the Executive Director’s vision and the staff’s work. You need to exude confidence, the patience to stay on course, and enjoy collaboratively working to achieve success.
- It’s not 40 hours a week. Okay, neither is being a Director of Development or a Program Director, so you’re probably used to that. But as an Executive Director, it’s attending every event, often speaking in the community, partnering with the Board, inspiring the staff, helping to steward and cultivate donors, and being the public face of the organization…even when you’re tired, you have to be present and “on.”
- It’s rewarding. It can truly be rewarding. It’s hard work. It can be exhausting work. If you like a challenge, enjoy leading people to a common goal and mission, and truly like learning about people and inspiring the team towards the mission, you will love it. And remember to celebrate your victories – even your small daily ones – and when it’s a big victory, be sure to celebrate everyone!
These are my insights from being an Executive Director. If you are thinking about becoming an Executive Director, reach out to people who have been or are Executive Directors and ask for their advice. Then take it all in and decide if it’s something YOU would enjoy.
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