How To Lead A Nonprofit: Focus on People

What does it take to lead a nonprofit organization? You need a clear and compelling purpose, of course, but that’s not enough. You also need to focus on the people who make your mission possible. In this series, we’ll explore the six Ps of nonprofit leadership: Purpose, People, Policies, Products, Priorities and Profitability. Today, we’ll start with the most important one: People.?

People are the heart and soul of any nonprofit. They are the ones who bring your purpose to life, who share your passion and vision, who work hard and smart to make a difference. But how do you show them that you value them? How do you foster a culture of trust, respect and collaboration among your team? How do you deal with the inevitable challenges and conflicts that arise from working with people? These are some of the questions we’ll try to answer in this post.?

Valuing people is more than just a slogan or a website statement. It’s an attitude that shapes how you interact with others, how you listen to them, how you learn from them, how you support them. It’s an attitude that leads you to be curious about each individual, their strengths, their struggles, their perspectives, their motivations. It’s an attitude that helps you see people as human beings, not as problems to be solved or obstacles to be overcome.?

We’ve all had moments when we wished we could work without people. When they frustrate us, annoy us, disappoint us, or hurt us. When they act out of fear, jealousy or other negative emotions. When they don’t meet our expectations or share our goals. It’s tempting to think that our organization would be better off without them. But that’s the wrong way to think as a leader.?

To value people is to embrace even the difficult moments as opportunities to understand and invest in others. To remember that your team is as human as you are, and that they have their own challenges and needs. To remember that you are not perfect either - that you can always improve yourself as a leader. To value people is to start from a place of humility and empathy, not from a place of judgment or superiority.?

I know what you’re thinking. You have a goal to achieve. You have deadlines to meet. You have standards to uphold. You can’t waste time or resources on people who don’t perform well or fit in. You must address harmful or disruptive behavior. You must make tough decisions sometimes. I get it. I’ve been there too. But let me tell you this: You can’t achieve anything meaningful without people. And you can’t lead people effectively if you don’t value them first.?

When you don’t value people, you tend to turn them into problems. You reduce them to their flaws or mistakes. You ignore their contributions or opinions. You dismiss their feelings or concerns. You create a self-fulfilling prophecy where they become the problem that needs to be solved or eliminated. This is what I call “problem-ification”, and it’s a dangerous trap for leaders.?

When you value people, you resist this trap. You see beyond the surface behavior and try to understand the underlying causes. You ask questions instead of making assumptions. You listen instead of lecturing. You empathize instead of criticizing. You seek solutions instead of blame. You give feedback instead of ultimatums. You coach instead of command. You help them grow instead of holding them back.?

Valuing people is not easy, but it’s worth it. It creates a positive ripple effect in your organization. It builds trust and loyalty among your team members. It fosters creativity and innovation among your staff. It enhances collaboration and communication among your partners. It attracts and retains talent and supporters for your cause. It makes your work more enjoyable and fulfilling for everyone involved.?

Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Your team can be that powerful force for good if you value them as they deserve. So, start today by shifting your attitude and showing them how much you care.?