Here's how you can demonstrate your successful team leadership in a nonprofit organization.

I also think it’s important to remain calm. When the going gets tough and mistakes are made pointing fingers and raising voices doesn’t help. Put yourself in their shoes and respond with compassion and understanding. There is a time and place for discipline and it’s not always necessary. Stick up for and defend your staff. They need to know you have their back. The best part of charity work is we get to be creative but it doesn’t always work. That’s not one persons fault. We grow as a team we fail as a team.

Trust is felt but comes from a cognitive appraisal Others need to think you are trust worthy based on how they interpret your actions and are they aligned with your expressed beliefs and values. This is your character To ensure that others assess your trustworthiness accordingly be sure you are clear values and beliefs, and aligning your actions with those values and beliefs. This is your conduct Too many times I see that leaders actually don’t understand how to operationalize their values, make value based decisions and lead with their values rather than just have them as a list Must do the self reflective work clearly understanding how to use their values every single day so they can build their teams Conduct builds character!

As a nonprofit leader, it's especially important to be transparent in your actions and decisions to cultivate a culture of openness. Valuing your team's input by genuinely listening and considering their ideas can lead to innovative solutions for organizational challenges. Consistency is also key; be dependable in your commitments and ensure you follow through on your promises. For example, during a major fundraising campaign, regularly update your team on progress and setbacks, solicit their feedback on strategies, and implement some of their suggestions. By doing this, you demonstrate trust and appreciation for their contributions, which in turn boosts their motivation and dedication to the organization's goals.

In one of my roles as Manager, empowering team members has been at the core of driving our mission forward. Take Sarah’s excel skills and Lisa’s ability to navigate our event software. Sarah organised our data, making everything accessible. Lisa streamlined this info into our event system, simplifying registration and catering needs. Their combined talents made event planning efficient, saving time and hassle. This approach didn't just lead to one of our most successful events; it showcased the incredible outcomes possible when individual strengths are harnessed together, emphasising the importance of empowerment in teamwork.

Clear communication is crucial in the nonprofit sector. It ensures everyone understands the mission, goals, and their roles, fostering unity and collaboration. Effective communication keeps stakeholders informed and engaged, building trust and transparency. Regular updates, open forums for feedback, and clear channels for sharing information can prevent misunderstandings and align efforts. Whether communicating with donors, volunteers, or team members, clarity helps convey the impact of their contributions, inspiring continued support and driving the organization toward its goals.

During the pandemic, the organisation I worked for implemented a flexible work policy, allowing staff to balance work with home-schooling children. We let team members set their own hours, encouraged family time, accepted children in video calls as we met daily to determine the responses to daily changes. IT support ensured smooth transition to remote work, procuring and posting equipment. This approach maintained productivity, increased staff satisfaction, and strengthened our culture. It demonstrated that compassionate leadership during crises supports wellbeing and enhances effectiveness. The experience led to lasting changes, creating a more flexible, family-friendly environment benefiting both our team and the communities we serve.

During our busiest seasons like summer camps and holiday programs, I would step away from my usual role to assist with frontline work. I take incoming calls, respond to emails, and help resolve support tickets. This hands-on approach during peak times not only eases the burden on our frontline staff but also gives me valuable insights into our operations. It's improved my understanding of staff challenges, leading to more effective practices, and created a culture of shared responsibility. This practice has significantly boosted team morale and operational efficiency, while reinforcing our commitment to our mission at all levels of the organisation.

collaboration is essential for non profit organization, sometime at a certain moment, competition occurs among peers or between staff, recognizing and creating space for conservation addressing these competition to turn it into collaboration for a larger achievement is also essential, and leader need to promote such transformation

Collaboration and consensus are key drivers of success for any nonprofit organization. So if you’re employed at one or a volunteer at one in any capacity, be sure to pick your battles. Take care to avoid putting your own personal feelings and/or agenda ahead of the overall mission of your group at every step of the way. If you continually fight for something to go your way at every opportunity, you will stall the group’s mission and reduce your chances of being taken seriously. You can have a greater impact by being collaborative and a consensus-builder. And your group is more likely to listen to counter arguments if you’re selective about when you raise them.

There are 5 foundational aspects of great leadership. 1) Creating an opening for your employees to succeed. Ie. Communicating the bigger vision and their role in it. 2) Providing them with the resources to thrive. 3) Delegating to them with trust. 4) Acting with the greater good. Ie. Swallowing your ego. 5) Taking the appropriate time to work “on” the business. We call them “clarity breaks”. They are your moments as a leader where you recharge your batteries and protect your confidence as a leader.