Learning to Lead for Impact
leadership insight from Tom Okarma
the latest and greatest…
How To Provide Effective Nonprofit Leadership (post Covid)
Nonprofit Leadership…. COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC... Tired of feeling the need to hold back coming out of the pandemic? Many in nonprofit leadership are just trying to make do. Others are waiting...
How To Deal With Difficult People In Your Nonprofit Agency
At first glance, being the head of a nonprofit may look easy... You put together a team of passionate individuals that believe in the mission at hand, lead them in the right direction and let them...
Recruiting Board Members: Do You Know What To Say?
Do you know what to say when recruiting board members? The scenario: It happens all the time when recruiting board members. You know someone that is respected and has been engaged with your mission...
What should nonprofit boards be doing to help (during the pandemic)?
In last week’s blog post, I provided a list of several actions some agencies have taken as a result of COVID-19. As I learn of other creative steps being taken to combat the changes, I will share...
10 Nonprofit Changes to Expect Post Covid
With 2020 finally behind us and many people now getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots, dare we even think we are nearing a return to some sense of normality? And, if we are on the back end of the...
Surviving in Nonprofit Crisis: Now What?
Nonprofit leadership in the best of times is challenging... but leading in nonprofit crisis? This might seem almost impossible. We've survived a few weeks of what we thought would be the toughest......
leadership
How To Provide Effective Nonprofit Leadership (post Covid)
Nonprofit Leadership…. COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC... Tired of feeling the need to hold back coming out of the pandemic? Many in nonprofit leadership are just trying to make do. Others are waiting for things to get better on their own. While a few are waiting for that...
How To Deal With Difficult People In Your Nonprofit Agency
At first glance, being the head of a nonprofit may look easy... You put together a team of passionate individuals that believe in the mission at hand, lead them in the right direction and let them do their thing. As a whole, egos are not an issue, no one has a secret...
Recruiting Board Members: Do You Know What To Say?
Do you know what to say when recruiting board members? The scenario: It happens all the time when recruiting board members. You know someone that is respected and has been engaged with your mission for quite some time now. They’ve shown good judgement and that they...
What should nonprofit boards be doing to help (during the pandemic)?
In last week’s blog post, I provided a list of several actions some agencies have taken as a result of COVID-19. As I learn of other creative steps being taken to combat the changes, I will share them with you. For now though, I'd like to share some thoughts on what...
10 Nonprofit Changes to Expect Post Covid
With 2020 finally behind us and many people now getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots, dare we even think we are nearing a return to some sense of normality? And, if we are on the back end of the pandemic, what will that “normal” look like for nonprofit agencies? What...
Surviving in Nonprofit Crisis: Now What?
Nonprofit leadership in the best of times is challenging... but leading in nonprofit crisis? This might seem almost impossible. We've survived a few weeks of what we thought would be the toughest... but it seems we're not even close yet. So... now what? That is the...
board development
Ready for Change: The Role of a Board of Directors
The role of a Board of Directors has remained the same over the years...for the most part. A board sets the direction, raises funds, provides financial and program oversight, and ensures all laws and regulations are followed. However, what has changed is the level of...
Step 1 in Leadership Development: Know Yourself
When we think Leadership Development, we often think of others first... But sometimes we over look a critical element -- knowing ourselves... When I first became the CEO of an organization, I was very excited and confident. I knew what needed to be done and was quite...
Nonprofit Governance: What Is It and Why Does it Matter?
Why are some nonprofit agencies so successful, how do they run so smoothly, and how does the board and staff work so well together? It begins with mutual appreciation and respect for one another, as well as excellent communication within the agency. In addition, the...
Is a Board of Directors Really Important?
Board of Directors Role: What Exactly Should Your Board Be Doing? Throughout my time with nonprofits, I’ve noticed that a board, along with its directors ability to fulfill their roles and responsibilities can be the difference between a high impact agency, a low...
Four Ways Board Training Can Help Your Nonprofit
Why do some boards demonstrate a culture of excellence year after year, while some seem to struggle with getting directors to show up for meetings or to make important decisions? Why do some agencies have a waiting list of board candidates, while others (maybe yours)...
Dealing with Problem Board Members
Leading a board would be so fulfilling, so rewarding, and so cool if it weren’t for those problem board members, right? True confession time: You’ve definitely had these thoughts. I know you have...I’ve had gallons of coffee (and an occasional scone, or two) with so...
strategic planning
Could a New Strategic Plan Make This Year Better?
Does your agency really need a Strategic Plan this year? You might be on the fence about dedicating the time and energy needed to formulate a strategic plan for your nonprofit. Like most organizations, you have limited time and resources. So it's important to make...
5 Hidden Reasons Your Strategic Plan is Failing
Planning is great, but execution wins the game. College and professional football teams will go into every one of their games this Fall with a solid game plan. Run first, to set up the pass; pass first, to set up the run; keep the football away from the other team's...
15 Ways to Turn Strategy into Action on Your Nonprofit Strategic Plan
Planning is Great but Execution Wins the Game! The best nonprofits — those that make the biggest impact — create and follow their strategic plan. Many agencies have recently spent significant dollars developing a new nonprofit strategic plan, or refreshing...
5 Nonprofit Challenges and How to Fix Them: #1 — Your Board
Challenge #1: The Failing Board I offer advice to many nonprofit leaders and board members each week. Over time, several common nonprofit challenges have surfaced from those discussions. This week, we will be taking a look at five of the most common challenges...
Nonprofit Trends 2017: Is Your Agency Future-proof?
Since 2014, we have seen the volunteer rate drop nearly 13%. Nearly 50% of nonprofit leaders report their organization has no strategic plan, yet nonprofit giving has increased over the last 4 years, and continues to grow. Nonprofit Trends 2017 -- What do these...
Strategic Planning for Nonprofits: 3 Ways to Make the Process Easier
How To Make Strategic Planning for Nonprofits Easier And More Successful Many agencies will shortly begin holding planning sessions, or retreats, for 2018. The announcement of these events is usually met with either groans or cheers, depending on how your past...
everything…
What should nonprofit boards be doing to help (during the pandemic)?
In last week’s blog post, I provided a list of several actions some agencies have taken as a result of COVID-19. As I learn of other creative steps being taken to combat the changes, I will share them with you. For now though, I'd like to share some thoughts on what...
10 Nonprofit Changes to Expect Post Covid
With 2020 finally behind us and many people now getting their COVID-19 vaccine shots, dare we even think we are nearing a return to some sense of normality? And, if we are on the back end of the pandemic, what will that “normal” look like for nonprofit agencies? What...
Surviving in Nonprofit Crisis: Now What?
Nonprofit leadership in the best of times is challenging... but leading in nonprofit crisis? This might seem almost impossible. We've survived a few weeks of what we thought would be the toughest... but it seems we're not even close yet. So... now what? That is the...
Surviving in Crisis: 10 Ways to Help Your Nonprofit
Last week, I shared some lessons learned while leading a company through Y2K. It was a rocky experience...Nothing like the virus threat we face today, but threatening in a different way, nonetheless. Leading a nonprofit through turbulence like this can be incredibly...
Nonprofit Leadership in Times of Crisis
The last few weeks have felt like living in a whirlwind. It's only gaining speed, with more and more questions surfacing every day. It can be an incredibly difficult situation for all leadership, but especially for nonprofit leaders. When uncertainty and a lack of...
Want a Better Board of Directors?
Start with incredible board members. Having a reliable board of directors is key to a well run agency, and I'm often asked what makes a high-value board member. This question usually comes from a board chair or CEO who has or anticipates having one or more...
Nonprofit Management: 3 Keys to Success
3 Things That Will Help You Master Nonprofit Management Many people think that great leaders are born, not made... And sure, I believe some people may be born with some of the key character traits of a leader... But I firmly believe that great leaders can be...
Leadership Development: Important vs. Urgent
Going through the motions of Leadership Development. When I first became a CEO, my biggest surprise was the speed in which important issues came to me and had to be addressed. This sudden load of problems can be extremely daunting and overwhelming. It seemed that...
Nonprofit Resources: 3 Free Downloads to Make Your Agency Better
Managing nonprofit resources can be one of the most difficult and yet rewarding experiences for a leader. There are numerous demands on your time, and some days the problems and challenges can seem endless. Today I want to help make your life easier, by providing...