Shared Leadership Thought-Starters

In his book “Better Together,” John Fulwider points out the following:

“Nonprofits promote human thriving outside their doors. But the very human leaders within them too often fail to thrive. They barely survive.”

Ponder that for a moment…does it feel ok?

While there are many forces and systems that “make it tough,” there is one area we have total control over that may be the greatest antidote to barely surviving…

Relationships!

Take a moment and reflect on a great relationship you have had (either personal or professional – although they are really personal…)

Think of how you felt when interacting with that person…

Think of what you were able to do as a result of having that person at your side…

Great relationships help us thrive!

Now consider, what conditions made that relationship possible? What allows you to engage and support another and allows them to engage and support you?

These are conditions we can create and we can actively create them between Board Chairs and CEOs.
 
According to Joan Garry, nonprofit blogger and coach, relationships not only benefit the people involved, but also ripple throughout the organization. She believes ”the single best sign of a healthy nonprofit is a strong relationship between the Board Chair and the CEO” – and she is not alone in this sentiment – just google “nonprofit Board Chair-CEO relationship”

What can these relationships make possible?
  • Imagine boards members excitedly rushing out of work to ensure they get to the board meeting on time, with that giddy smile and bounce that we get when we are seeing old friends

  • Imagine the board chair role opening up and several members anxiously offering themselves up for a stint of getting a chance to “have whatever she was having,” referring to the energy and excitement of the outgoing chair

  • Imagine feeling that perky tingle and goosebumps on the skin when the caller ID says “Board Chair”

  • Imagine being a board chair and feeling like you made a difference today, if for no one else, at least the person that makes the day-to-day awesomeness happen

  • Imagine being the CEO and feeling you have a trusted thought partner to turn to who knows you, the organization, and the community

  • Imagine what having all of the above can make possible when working to change the world

If your imagination has played along, you are stepping into the world of what is possible when you focus on creating a relationship within which people thrive in who they are and what they can achieve. A relationship where leaders don’t feel alone.

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