How can you empower non-profit team members to take risks?

1 Why risk-taking matters

Taking risks is essential for any organization that wants to grow, adapt, and make an impact. For non-profits, risk-taking can help you find new ways to solve problems, reach more beneficiaries, and leverage your strengths. However, risk-taking also involves uncertainty, challenges, and potential failures. Therefore, you need to create a supportive environment where your team members feel safe, valued, and motivated to try new things.

2 How to set clear expectations

One of the first steps to empower your team members to take risks is to set clear expectations about what risk-taking means and why it is important. You can do this by defining your vision, goals, and strategy, and communicating them clearly and consistently. You can also establish some guidelines and boundaries for risk-taking, such as ethical principles, legal requirements, budget limits, and reporting procedures. By doing this, you can help your team members understand the purpose, scope, and direction of their risk-taking activities.

3 How to encourage feedback and learning

Another key step to empower your team members to take risks is to encourage feedback and learning. You can do this by creating a culture of openness, honesty, and curiosity, where your team members can share their ideas, opinions, and experiences without fear of judgment or punishment. You can also provide constructive feedback and recognition, and celebrate both successes and failures as learning opportunities. By doing this, you can help your team members improve their skills, confidence, and resilience.

4 How to delegate authority and responsibility

A third step to empower your team members to take risks is to delegate authority and responsibility. You can do this by giving your team members more autonomy, flexibility, and ownership over their work. You can also involve them in decision-making processes, and trust them to make the best choices for your organization. By doing this, you can help your team members develop their leadership, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

5 How to support risk-taking with resources

A fourth step to empower your team members to take risks is to support them with resources. You can do this by providing them with the tools, information, and training they need to execute their risk-taking initiatives. You can also allocate sufficient time, money, and staff to support their experiments, pilots, and innovations. By doing this, you can help your team members overcome practical barriers and challenges, and increase their chances of success.

6 How to evaluate and adjust risk-taking

A fifth and final step to empower your team members to take risks is to evaluate and adjust your risk-taking strategy. You can do this by monitoring and measuring the outcomes and impacts of your risk-taking activities, and using data and evidence to inform your decisions. You can also solicit feedback from your team members, beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders, and use it to improve your processes and practices. By doing this, you can help your organization learn from your risk-taking experiences, and optimize your performance and impact.