Leading Organizations That Matter

I go on and on about non-profit, mission driven organizations and sometimes receive friendly (usually) comments about how non-profits and for profits are much more alike than not. Sure, ok. But there are some critical ways they're different. Today, I talk about one of them.

For organizations in trouble and working to launch an improvement initiative, the diagnostic phase is critical. Sometimes, however, that is a very difficult task... partially due to the fact that neglect, conflict avoidance, politics, lack of clarity, or indecision created a mess that is difficult to sort through. I liken this to a "drawer full of pens". The analogy  makes sense, trust me.

Have you heard this expression: "We'll fix it with a reorg..."?

Something this is a reasonable and effective strategy. But beware, sometimes it isn't.

Sometimes you have to walk lightly and sometimes you have to pound the table. 

This episode is for those times when you find yourself wondering whether it's time to pound the table.

What are you looking for in a new leadership hire? Do you prioritize and have clear selection criteria, established up front and before you even begin?

If not, watch out... you may be making a more impactful decision for your organization than it may seem on the surface.

Sacred Cows and Elephants in the Room. Everyone organization has them.

But what happens when they diminish success and hamper positive change efforts?

Bryan Stevenson, in his excellent book, "Just Mercy", describes the advice his grandmother once gave to him. She said: “You can’t understand most of the important things from a distance, Bryan. You have to get close...”

And this relates to mission driven organizations how?

Change is hard. Got it.

Being a change agent is difficult. Yup.

Bruising people along the way is just par for the course, can't be avoided, and is probably even necessary.

Really?

You get the new job and you are psyched. This is going to be awesome!

Until it isn't. 

This episode is about those situations when new leaders find themselves in a tough spot due to the toxicity of the culture they have just entered.

In this episode, I discuss the perils of an inward focus at the expense of having an outward oriented one. Some organizations (and people) don't benefit from having too much of a heightened sense of self.