Mission impact is driven by strategy. Yet there is very little written on the reality that strategy is driven by culture. As president of a small, independent college in mid-America who embraces the teachings of Rob Sheehan in Mission Impact, I'd like to share from the trenches why a nonprofit CEO should not overlook the cautionary adage, “culture eats strategy for … [Read more...] about Tug-of-War: Strategy vs Culture (Part 1)
culture
Maximizing Personal Energy
Recently, I was on a panel at a conference for 250+ nonprofit executives when I suggested that in order to effectively address today’s challenges they need to lead with a sense of urgency because that is what it takes to accomplish important changes required today in the sector. But it’s not going to happen overnight. So they also need to lead as if they are running … [Read more...] about Maximizing Personal Energy
Leading Innovation
We know that leading innovation is key for any organization which wants to thrive – or even survive. In fact, not so long ago a Nonprofit CEO was quoted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy that we are now in an environment where it is “innovate or die.” But how do executives go about leading innovation? In the June 2014 issue of Harvard Business Review, Harvard leadership … [Read more...] about Leading Innovation
Being Fantastic
The basic question is this – if you want excellence, awesomeness, fantastic performance from your team/organization then what do you need? Talent & Teamwork. Both of these aspects of performance are appreciated, but I am suggesting that the way in which they complement one another is underappreciated. Some organizations tend to go the Talent route. “Let’s just hire … [Read more...] about Being Fantastic
Five Management Fundamentals
It’s a sports cliché – because it is true, and it is true in the working world as well. Winners are the ones who get the fundamentals right. Management is complex, but here are the five fundamentals to make sure you get it right: Set Clear Expectations. It makes common sense and it is backed up by research (1). Make sure that your direct reports are perfectly clear on … [Read more...] about Five Management Fundamentals