Now that you are a Nonprofit Executive Director

You can hardly contain your excitement.  It is a monumental accomplishment; you've dreamed of it; prepared and worked long hours for it.  You are the new nonprofit Executive Director or CEO. 

You have reached the pinnacle; the promise land.  Time to celebrate as you think, “Finally, I can step into that circle of honor, glory, and prominence.”   Welcome to the club! Cue the music and confetti.

Then it hits you.  Like a fierce summer thunderstorm, reality rains heavily all over you with little warning. Panic and paranoia set in.  You think, “I must show I have what it takes to steer the ship!”

You have the answers; you are all-knowing.   You, and you alone, are the Captain.  And just like that trouble begins.  Before you even get started you have created your own storm.

It doesn't have to be that way.  Before you panic and steer your organization in the wrong direction consider these fundamentals as a first time nonprofit executive:

Clear Vision – A clear vision that is mission focused helps your team to build confidence and trust in your leadership. As a new executive focus on a clear short term vision for the first 30 to 90 days with discussion of where the organization should be at the end of your first year.  Is everyone bought in to the vision? Is there a clear path to get there? 

Avoid over-complicating matters; focus on team buy-in and trust.  The organization may need a complete redo, but it can't happen at all once if you intend to preserve the confidence (not to mention sanity) of your team. 

Think Team.  The reality is you do not have all the answers, solutions or ideas.  You never will.  A confident leader recognizes their own strengths and weaknesses. A brave and innovative leader builds a team that compliments his or her own weaknesses. If you build a team based on trust and transparency you can have team members whose strengths compliment your own skills and experiences.   You want a team that will trust and respect you --but also challenge you.  Sure it can be scary, but imagine your organization thriving with this kind of a team.

Leadership and Strategy.   The two are not one in the same. Strategists are not necessarily effective leaders but as a leader you need to be an effective strategist.  Strategies are only effective if the team has ownership and understands the implementation process.  Don't over complicate the execution.  You do not need a 20 page policy for a 5 member staff every time you implement a strategy.

Clear vision.  Confident team.  Focused execution. See a pattern emerging? 

Momentum.  Change brings fresh energy, hope and enthusiasm. Take advantage to create momentum through early victories.  What can you achieve in a relatively short amount of time to seize momentum and earn trust and confidence with your team?  Meet with your team individually and as a group as soon as possible.  Ask them about short- and long-term priorities and needs, “What is your vision for this organization?”

Prioritize the team’s feedback according to what can be done timely and with available resources.  Never doubt the value of no cost strategies that improve “organizational life” but do NOT make commitments that you are not 200% sure you can deliver.

Regardless if you are a first-time, or an experienced nonprofit executive in a new role, the transition to the “pinnacle” can be overwhelming.  There’s plenty of room at the top for your team as long as you have a clear path and plan to get everyone there.

Most importantly, don't neglect your own professional development as necessary and essential to your organization’s success. These tips will help but it is important (and okay!) to seek a third party resource for support and direction.

Dr. Wyble is the President/CEO and founder of Leadership Concepts, LLC; a consulting service providing practical solutions to community and nonprofit organizations.  Learn more at Leadership Concepts