How to Lead Your Nonprofit with Intention

True leadership isn’t just about managing tasks - it’s about leading with intention. However, working in nonprofit leadership can be fast-paced and it can be so easy to lose sight of our purpose.?

Luckily, in episode 60 of the Lead with Heart podcast, Kathy Archer shared how we can lead with more clarity and purpose.

Kathy is a leadership development coach and an expert in women's leadership and personal development.

If you want to check that out, I’ll add the episode player below so you can tune into the full episode where we discuss practices for women to build and sustain their confidence and how to trust your intuition in the decision-making process.

In this article, we’re going to learn more about how you can lead your nonprofit with intention:

1. The Infinite Leadership Loop and Your Inner Guidance System?
2. Shifting from Survival Mode to a More Proactive and Empowered Leadership Stance
3. Establishing Clear Boundaries

1. The Infinite Leadership Loop and Your Inner Guidance System

Kathy shares what she calls the infinite leadership loop:

“Think of an infinity loop. On one side is the inner work that we need to do. On the other side is the exterior connecting with our people that we need to do. And we need to transition back and forth between those all the time.” - Kathy Archer

However, Kathy explains that the problem is that many of us don't do the inner thinking consciously.

Here’s where the inner guidance system comes in to help you access the wisdom inside of you.

It consists of pausing, pondering, pivoting, and proceeding. And on the other side, you have your people.

Pause

“Pausing is one thing that we're not very good at in leadership. We are go, go, go.” - Kathy Archer

There always seems to be a crisis that needs attention, an email to reply to, or a meeting to attend.

“We need to stop and step back and tune in more consciously to what's going on.” - Kathy Archer

This pause could be sitting down to journal or taking a minute to breathe in the middle of a heated meeting.

Ponder

“Tune in more consciously to the type of leader you want to be, the impact you want to have, and what's triggering you in this moment.” - Kathy Archer

Here are some things Kathy recommends pondering:

• What are my thoughts??
• What are my feelings??
• What's happening in my body??
• What's going on around me??
• What are the values I want to bring in??
• Who's the person I'm becoming?

Pivot

“Pivot is when you start shifting your perspectives.” - Kathy Archer

For Kathy, this pivot often involved getting out of victim mode and thinking about what other people might be feeling.?

“If you're in a conversation and you're sort of thinking to yourself, I hate conflict. I can't handle conflict. That pivot might be, I'm learning to get through it better. I'm learning some skills.” - Kathy Archer

Proceed

“Proceed is having the courage to go back into that engagement with people.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy explains that it takes courage to get back into motion after your time of self-reflection.

2. Shifting from Survival Mode to a More Proactive and Empowered Leadership Stance

In nonprofit leadership, so many of us operate in survival mode. We do a lot of firefighting and it’s easy to become reactive.?

Kathy shares how we can shift from this survival mode to a more proactive and empowered leadership stance.

“The first step is awareness. [...] You have to recognize where you are and how bad it is.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy explains that we need to understand what survival mode means for us. Because the sector is under-resourced, we may not be able to make big changes, but we can start to move the needle.?

“Identify what's the one thing that's just going to start to move me a little bit in this direction, so that I'm moving closer to thriving.” - Kathy Archer

These could be things like taking a lunch break (something I know many of us skip all too often), reaching out to a colleague, or scheduling 15 minutes into your week for reading. Whatever makes you feel more recharged, grounded, and calm.?

“Find some wiggle room and move in baby steps.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy refers to these as micro-moments of wellness.

“We think of wellness as something that happens after work, and it's not.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy explains that if we want to be our best selves, we need to take lunch breaks, we need to go to the bathroom, and we need to have a drink of water.

“What are the things that are going to make you feel more engaged and more alive? That's what we want to infuse our day with.” - Kathy Archer

3. Establishing Clear Boundaries

Kathy explains that setting boundaries is a really important thing that we struggle with as leaders.

“When I think about a boundary around time, it is a line in the sand that says I'm not doing X, Y, Z outside of this time.? But it may also be a boundary about when you will or how you will engage with people.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy recommends setting a boundary around how you engage with people.?

“Have a conversation with your staff. [...] If you send me an email, I'll respond in 24 hours.? If you send me a message on Teams chat, I will respond in an hour. If there's a fire, please phone me.” - Kathy Archer

Kathy explains that these boundaries frame and define the plan of action.

In conclusion, by pausing and tuning into your inner guidance, shifting out of survival mode to a more empowered leadership stance, and setting clear boundaries, you will be better able to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience. Not only will your team thank you, but you will be better for it.

Nonprofit teams often work in silos, which can lead to staff burnout and donor attrition, ultimately, hurts the people we serve. I help nonprofits raise more money through fundraising training, “done for you” fund development strategy, and campaign implementation.?

?? If you want to learn more about ways we can collaborate and work together, please visit my website, https://thesavvyfundraiser.com/ .

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