Yet remarkably, many leading nonprofit CEOs and Executive Directors—including my best clients—are making clear decisions, taking bold action, and achieving significant mission-driven change, despite the challenging circumstances.
If 2023 is the time for your organization to realize more dramatic results, read on to learn about four characteristics Bower & Co. has identified among leaders who are succeeding in the face of uncertainty.
4 Leadership Characteristics Needed to Achieve Big Results
If we turn around and look behind us, it's impressive that any of us had the fortitude to get out of bed each day.
And that's the power of organizations committed to a mission. Leaders move forward.
Focus
During the last three years of the pandemic, racial justice, inflation, divisiveness, and more caused leaders to focus and cut out the dead weight. Programs or events not aligned with the mission were chief among the cuts so that organizations focused on creating impact.
Fearless
Many leaders in Bower & Co. CEO Conversations described monumental decisions, such as making a significant real estate investment (think: a whole block!), a name change and rebranding, leveraging often divisive news coverage to insert the organization's critical mission and value proposition into the public realm, geographic expansion, and innovation with revenue sources, to name a few.
The leaders who pursued these changes faced their fears. One CEO whose organization made the real estate purchase described herself as "freaking out." But she and her board knew that the mission was the driver for this change, and the decision was the right one to make. When it all worked out, she described herself as "extremely happy" and cried tears of joy and probably relief.
Full-self
Leaders brought their whole selves to their organizations, often moving way outside their comfort zones.
CEOs led conversations on complex topics, such as systemic racism and politics, when every fiber in their bodies told them that these topics were taboo in the workplace.
They administered tough love when needed to keep organizations moving on new paths and even with themselves when their desire to return to their pre-pandemic comfort zone arose.
They led their organizations, making space for kindness, forgiveness, and grief, knowing that certain employees were experiencing tremendous personal challenges or needed support.
One leader even decided that moving forward, making time for silliness—like when she and her staff found themselves dancing in front of cameras during their Friday Zoom dance parties—helped unite the team and bring balance to the culture.
Peer support
Leaders acknowledge how vital peer support is to ward off that "lonely at the top" experience many leaders face.
CEO Conversations: Join the Invitation List
That's why this year, I will be hosting or co-hosting CEO Conversations regularly. If you'd like to be on the invitation list, please send an email to Hello@gailbower.com.
So when you review 2022 and previous years:
- How did you do in these areas?
- On what additional leadership skills or characteristics did you rely?
- What skills will you take with you moving forward in 2023?
- And where do you need extra support?
I hope 2023 is a fantastic year for you and your team.