Here's how you can build trust with your boss in the non-profit sector.

One of the biggest flaws in evaluating development professionals is that we often get judged only by the dollar amount of closed gifts. That is only one factor and the one most out of our control. If you want to succeed, make sure you show the process of who you are meeting with, what you are discussing, the plan for asking (including the amount) and your professional expectation of the likelihood of success. This way we get to teach and create better understanding of why it is development.

It's underestimated how frequently nonprofit employees face conflicts of interest. We focus so much on our boards in this regard that we lose sight of the danger of employees being tempted to share trade secrets and pursue vendors or opportunities that are not in the organization's best interest to receive kickbacks or incentives. Integrity is not just a person-to-person exchange, but a prioritization of the organizational good over your own interest.

To build trust with your boss, consistently demonstrate integrity even when faced with challenging decisions. For example, I once handled a sensitive situation involving a potential breach of our conduct policy. I immediately informed my boss, sought guidance, and followed our established protocols while maintaining strict confidentiality. By prioritising the well-being of the participant and collaborating with my boss to address the matter professionally and in line with our values, I demonstrated my integrity and earned their trust in navigating complex situations. Remaining true to the organisation's mission even in challenging circumstances allows your boss to trust someone who consistently exhibits a strong ethical compass.

In addition to your actions aligning with the organization's values and mission, they must also align with your rhetoric and promises. One of the fastest ways to lose integrity is to not do what you say. If that behavior continues over time your stakeholders might stop listening to you. This also means following up and closing feedback loops with those with whom you interact.

Clear communication is critical in the non-profit sector due to limited resources and competing projects. Keep your boss informed about your projects, challenges, and successes, and proactively seek advice when issues arise. This demonstrates reliability and fosters trust. When I led the consolidation of our state-based phone systems into a national one, I prioritised clear communication with my manager, provided updates, sought guidance, and addressed stakeholder concerns. By maintaining transparency, I built trust, ensuring a successful transition that improved efficiency and reduced costs.

Despite the many choices for how we can communicate today, it has been my experience that communication between human beings has become significantly worse. I theorize that too many choices, personal preferences, information overload, and personal withdrawal all are in the mix. Find out your boss' communication style and preferences to help ensure you have clear and open communication with them. The advice here of being proactive is sound and I also suggest not delaying critical information they need to do their job but also to help you do yours. Balance that by being selective so as not to overload them with too many details.

My hope is that nonprofit organizations budget for professional development and have a culture that supports learning. However, you may have to be entrepreneurial in seeking professional development. Treat yourself as a nonprofit professional above and beyond just an employee of your organization. In doing so, you will advance your skills, knowledge and experience with or without your organization. Both you and they will benefit. Modesty has its place, but it can also be detrimental. Seek any and all opportunities to demonstrate competence and connect it to the organization's mission and desired outcomes. That's your value proposition.

Being collaborative is important, noble and if done right can be impactful. It also can be messy and exhausting if not done strategically and with clear communication. The reward of effective collaboration can be that classic synergy of 1=1=3. However, we must determine what each stakeholder brings to the effort; how those assets interact with and impact each other; and what might be missing that is necessary to attain desired goals, objectives and/or outcomes. There must also be clarity among stakeholders on what "collaboration" means, so don't assume everyone has the same social construction of this concept. Successful collaborative work can be game changing for an organization but also rewarding and energizing for individuals.

Understanding and respecting professional boundaries is crucial for building trust with your boss in the nonprofit sector. Be mindful of their time and responsibilities, and avoid overstepping your role. When seeking guidance or support, approach your boss respectfully and at appropriate times. By acknowledging their position and the demands on their schedule, you demonstrate respect for their role and the pressures they face. This thoughtful approach helps establish a trusting relationship, showing that you value their leadership and are considerate of their responsibilities.

Wednesday, May 22, 2024. 06:22EST From: Dr. Richard Francis Viktor Hogan Re: Building Trust ?? Remember, trust is built over time through consistent actions and transparency. Building trust in the nonprofit sector is crucial for success. Please refer to my “Post” to “Anyone” for complete discussion. Best personal wishes, Simply Richard -30-

Be available! Non profits can take a life of their own,when the owner/ vision bearer is also the CEO or the Executive Director. Being available to ' bounce suggestions off' can sometimes be the step between good and great results.