How can you build strong relationships with colleagues in nonprofit organizations?

People who work for nonprofit organizations tend to be passionate and caring individuals. They aren’t there for the big paychecks (ha!) they are there to make a difference and to do good work together. Finding those common threads will help you connect.

Find five minutes to start a genuine conversation with them. Be genuinely curious about them, and ask follow up questions. It is amazing how much people will open up and share, when the listener is genuinely interested!

Communication is the basis of relationships. Be on top of the game of knowing who you are and what to say to express your beliefs. No one knows better than yourself what to say.

In my experience, every organization does things slightly differently, and with their own flavor. Taking time to understand HOW the team communicates can be just as important as what you are communicating.

Non-profits typically function with constrained resources, making it essential for everyone to join forces and contribute actively in the field, just as they would hope for others to do. A collective commitment to the work is crucial to fulfill the overarching mission and prevent burnout and setbacks. It's vital to bear in mind that 'we' is not spelled with an 'I'—it's a team effort through and through.

Lifting each other up while bringing the team forward is critical in any organization, but especially in nonprofits where resources are limited. When you support your colleagues, and they know that you are a person they can turn to even when tasks are difficult and timelines are short, you set the example of creating an environment where people thrive and pitch in to get things done.

Understanding where someone else is coming from and really listening to them. Seeing things from their point of view helps you to understand what you might be able to do differently to reach outcomes together.

Everything starts with respect. I conducted a workshop recently with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. It was so interesting to hear the different life experiences of what is acceptable behaviour between people - from smiling to initiating conversation to making eye contact. If you start with "we do this in our culture, how is that done in yours?" Be genuinely curious, non-judgemental and open minded. When we understand others, we can work together more cohesively

My engineering background and growth mindset helped me forge meaningful connections in the nonprofit sector. Strong relationships build trust in the sector, leading to better collaboration, innovation, and a more significant impact on the communities served. My engineering expertise, coupled with my social capital has enabled me to forge meaningful connections with colleagues and partners. Effective leadership in the nonprofit sector is not about top-down directives. It is about fostering collaboration and empowering others. By leading discussions and encouraging diverse perspectives, we create a culture of trust and shared ownership.

Expressing gratitude to others is a free way to build morale! It can be as simple as a sincere thank you in person or a note sent to them. Let them know why you are grateful for them/their work. If working in one location, a potluck lunch is a fun way to get together! Ask people to bring their favorite dish. At the lunch, ask them to talk about why they brought that dish.

Remember to be a human, at the end of the day. Human engage in small talk, easy advice right? Yes, talk about dogs and donuts. It works.