Third Sector Perspectives Archives

Limitations of Nonprofit Professionalization

Posted on February 24, 2021February 25, 2021 by Todd J. Sukol

Professionalism in the nonprofit sector is a moral obligation. If our work is worth doing, it is worth doing with efficiency and accountability. I have argued over and over that there is no integrity in the nonprofit sector unless we manage our organizations as well-run machines. Waste in our sector is devastating, and all too…

Nonprofits and American Survival

Posted on September 23, 2020September 23, 2020 by Todd J. Sukol

Not long after the founding of the United States, Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville observed a propensity among citizens of the young American nation to form voluntary associations. These precursors of today’s nonprofit organizations were an essential part of making early America work. In striking numbers, people with common interests would ban together to reinforce each…

The Unexpected

Posted on September 15, 2020September 16, 2020 by Todd J. Sukol

A colleague recently commented that he would like to be paid $1.00 for every time he has heard or read the word “unprecedented” the past six months. Indeed, “unprecedented” seems to be the word of the year in the midst of our new pandemic-racial reckoning-political turbulence-social media reality. Then again, the unexpected is what makes…

More and Better: 5 Principles for Crisis Philanthropy

Posted on September 3, 2020September 6, 2020 by Todd J. Sukol

In the face of these extraordinary times, some of the people I respect most in philanthropic circles are calling vociferously for increased giving. A joint statement from leaders of several philanthropic sector organizations put forth an impassioned and well informed plea for us to give more, and fast. “Unprecedented challenges require unprecedented responses,” the statement…

Between Inspiration and Perspiration

February 9, 2021

Thomas Edison, whose remarkable mind turned discoveries into groundbreaking technologies, famously said that “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration.” Indeed, many of the world’s spiritual traditions warn that, as the New Testament puts it in the book of James, “..faith without works is dead.”

From my own Jewish tradition, it is often noted that this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, is curiously placed in the context of the Biblical narrative. This reading comes immediately after the climactic, supernatural revelation by God to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai. And yet, Mishpatim seems to be concerned with a plethora of legalistic details rather than lofty, spiritual matters. What do we learn from this juxtaposition of ecstatic communion and detailed regulation?

Perhaps this is the Jewish tradition reminding us that in order to have lasting impact, even the loftiest vision must immediately be turned into well-defined plans of action. To be sure, robotic activity without purpose is meaningless and pointless. But Inspiration without action is equally incomplete. Don’t just tell me what you imagine, in other words. Tell me what we need to do to get there.

As an emerging nonprofit leader, you can add great value by turning yourself into a bridge that connects the world of vision to the world of action. Take the time when inspiration strikes to stop and say, “so what? What can we do with this?” Make plans. Make them specific and attainable. Your plans will never be perfect, so let go of perfectionism and make them decisively. You are creating a pathway through with motivation will express itself.

And when day-to-day work starts to become a tedious grind, as it frequently does, take the time to step back and remind your team (starting with yourself) what it is all for. Becoming an effective leader means becoming a bridge – a two way bridge — that provides a constant connection between granular action with ultimate purpose.

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