Great Nonprofit Leaders: How to be one, and how to become one
In this blog series, we’ve explored both the good and the not-so-good traits Kara and I have seen in nonprofit leaders. Sharing the good ones is always the most fun. We think back with joy on the people who led well - the energy they created, the trust they built, and the joy they brought to their teams and missions.
We’ve said it before: leadership isn’t rocket science. But there are a few ways we can help others keep learning and growing. Especially if you fall into one of two camps: if you’re in leadership now, or if you’re in the trenches with a good leader and want to learn from them.
Choosing to Lead Well
Leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. Most of us are our toughest critics. The best nonprofit leaders we’ve known weren’t perfect, but they were intentional. They listened with empathy, communicated with clarity, valued their people, guided change thoughtfully, and made courageous decisions. Those habits build trust, and trust creates momentum.
If you’re in a leadership role today, ask yourself:
Am I listening to understand, or to just respond?
Have I communicated clearly enough that my team knows the “why” as well as the “what”?
Do my people feel seen, respected, and supported?
Am I guiding change thoughtfully, or rushing it?
Have I sought counsel, made a decision, and stood by it with clarity?
These questions seem simple enough, but they’re the glue that holds healthy teams together. When your team feels valued, they value their work. And when they value their work, your mission wins.
Keep up the great work. And stay curious. The best leaders are learners. If any of those questions gave you pause, that’s the sign of a strength, not a weakness. You can always learn, adapt, and sharpen your leadership skills.
Learning to Lead Well
You don’t need a title to practice these habits. Kara and I often say that the people shaping change in nonprofits are rarely the ones with the big office. It’s the fundraisers, program staff, accountants, and data processors who live the mission. No matter where you sit, you can choose to be a person with integrity, who seeks clarity, who exhibits courage. That choice will ripple out in ways you may never realize.
Here’s the incredible side benefit: when you live that way, you’re learning to lead. Leaders aren’t “made” in a single day. They are developed over time and through consistent, intentional choices. When you notice a leader does something that inspires you, or they make a decision that sparks you for the team, write it down. What did they do? If you’re not sure, ask.
In my previous post, I told a story about a leader who listened well and handled a tough conversation with grace. Watching her was instructive, but asking her about it was transformative. When she walked me through how she was processing the conversation and her desire to develop the staff member, I learned even more.
Final Word
No matter where you fall, leadership is all around you. Sometimes we are the leaders. Sometimes we’re in the middle, translating decisions. Sometimes we’re just starting out.
It can be tough working under poor leadership, and easy to take good leadership for granted. Both can teach us. Every experience, good or bad, gives us insight into who we want to be and how we can show up. And that is a great gift.