Don't follow in my footsteps...

Dear Jennifer Harris.

Our good friend Jason Lewis had me thinking. What would I say if my daughters were considering careers in the charitable sector?

The truth is, right now, I'd say don't do it.

I'd tell them there are many ways to affect change and do good in the world. I'd say if you want to work in healthcare or at a University or College - then maybe. If you could parachute into a senior role at a large organization where you can be instrumental in building and nurturing a healthy organization....well then okay.

But in small to mid-sized social profit organizations - I'd take a long, hard look at what's happening before launching into this career. I'd talk to the folks who work or have worked at the organizations you want to help -- and even then -- no guarantees they'll tell it like it is.

Too many sector leaders have no idea how to create healthy, collaborative, kind and productive organizations. And we can't get there if we keep burying our heads in the sand and suggesting that we not talk about the existence of a problem.

Civil rights activist James Baldwin said "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

One of my favorite leaders in the sector, long retired, told me as a young fundraiser - when you come to me with a problem - bring me two or three potential solutions too.

The research is done. The problem clearly identified. The solutions mapped out. However, if we continue to stick our heads in the sand, we will not move forward.

Barack Obama said: Sticking your head in the sand might make you feel safer, but its not going to protect you from the coming storm.

Jennifer, I've thought a lot about your amazing article "Can we Move from "Doing Fundraising to Being In Fundraising".

I sent it to long time colleagues, crossed my fingers and hoped that those with influence might pick up the cue and carry your message forward. There has been very limited pick up from those who have the ability to amplify this message. Tall Poppy Syndrome? Head in sand? Fear?

It is simple really. As a donor, I want to know that your staff are treated well. I want to know that as a leader you understand the importance of great cultures and how to pay attention to organizational health. I want to know that your organization truly values diversity - including 'of opinion.'

I want leaders who are open, honest, transparent, compassionate and willing to be vulnerable in their work. Leaders who make room for measured risk and understand that 'permission to fail in the pursuit of excellence' requires us to create the right kind of workspace.

I've met leaders who are constantly guarding their position of power. In some cases, their inability to gather leaders around them, and to be comfortably challenged, holds both them and their organizations back.

Sometimes, leaders have worked twice as hard to get where they are and as a result develop bunker style mentalities...always on guard...believing others are challenging their leadership.

How many more individuals in our sector will be promoted into leadership roles because they are subject matter experts and not because they are leaders? How many more fantastic tenured fundraisers will be packaged out of jobs or leave the sector entirely? How many more staff will be burnt out by toxic workplaces with lousy managers and coworkers whose fear and unhappiness cause them to join in a mob mentality.

We need to fix what is broken. We need to focus on culture and leadership development and team building.

We need to care as much about the health of our employees and our organizations as we do about the people we serve.

We need to hold safe space for those who are suffer in silence. We need to broaden the discussion beyond sexual harassment to simply harassment. We need to stop playing small and take our voices back.

#human resources #management #leadership #social profit #organizational health #afp

If you are interested in learning more about how to improve the health of your organization please email me at [email protected] I will share my research and recommendations for action: Imagine the Impact: If culture matters why are we doing so little about it?