I think you have heard the stories or have been a part of them. Organization hires a new leader and they go beyond everyone’s expectations-executing and delivering new programs, increasing program impact, raising more money, bringing new life to the organization.
So how did it happen? Let’s not take for granted the years of experience in leadership roles within the nonprofit sector. Beyond that there is something else. Something we forget about in our daily routine that comes natural to these leaders. Going beyond the norm and aiming higher.
Recently I was speaking with a colleague who took a position as a new executive director of a small organization. She made a comment that she is going to let the dust settle and then begin to slowly change things.
I asked her, “so when will you know it’s the right time to make changes? Didn’t the board already decide they needed a new change by bringing you in? Why not aim higher now?”
As a leader of the organization you should consistently ask yourself if you are going to challenge the status quo and go beyond expectations. Are you working now to do this or have you been procastinating this whole time and waiting for the next time you feel it is “ripe”. Do you just do the same work each day just to get it done-or do you develop new strategies that will expand the programs, build the organization’s name in the community, and bring in new resources. It is about not being satisfied with the level of where things are but rather raising the organization’s expectations to achieve a higher level of impact and growth.
Before you just send away another document through email or pass along another board meeting agenda, ask yourself if you are aiming higher?
