Giving Way

Practical Inspiration for Nonprofit Leaders

           
Todd J. Sukol
Todd J. Sukol
Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • Resources
  • Inside Job
  • Contact
Menu

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 our nonprofit and philanthropic sector so invigorating. It may not feel this way, but if ever there were a set of institutions set up to be nimble, it’s us. The vast majority of America’s nonprofit organizations are small, with under $2 Million in annual expenses. A majority of those have an annual budget that’s less than $1 Million. Ours has historically been a nimble sector. We jump in to solve problems that are not profitable enough to be worthwhile for business ventures nor universal enough to command the attention of government.

“With a little political savvy and a lot of courage, small organizations can change… quickly.”

With a little political savvy and a lot of courage, small organizations can change strategy, change business model — even change objectives — quickly. In our best incarnations, nonprofit organizations are responsive and nimble. We can have tremendous positive impact when more entrenched institutions are hamstrung into limited efficiency.

Let’s not lose that entrepreneurial spirit when we need it most. Times are tough. Work-from-home environments are tough. Layoffs are real. I know it’s hard. But even with all the economic uncertainty, our staff teams and boards are creative, dedicated, generous people.

Our job as leaders in the sector is to provide the right amount of structure to give all that creative energy a constructive place to go. Things are hard right now. For many of our organizations, revenue is dropping even as demand for services is increasing. Please don’t just “wait it out.” Today is the day your organization needs you to be as open to new ways of doing things as you are committed to its mission. This is a good time to treat co-workers with extra patience. It’s a good time to think nimbly. It’s a good time to be a leader.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Newsletter

Sign up here to receive occasional announcements, opportunities and special information.

The Inside Job

When is “enough” enough?

May 6, 2022

We work so hard to be the best we can be. To make our organizations the best they can be. When does our obligation reach its limits?  Ours is a field where there is always something more that can be done more, or better. A system can be improved. A problem can be solved. A success can be made greater. Another dollar can be raised. Another beneficiary served. Another staff member assisted. There are so many pulls on you as a nonprofit organization leader – when is “good enough” finally good enough?

In truth, the real question isn’t “how hard” should we work, but “HOW” should we work. Please remember that there is a deep, divine spark inside of you. This same spark lives inside of every person, place, thing or circumstance you encounter. As a nonprofit professional and as a human being, your first obligation is to recognize, reveal and fan the flames of that spark in yourself and in those you work with. When you’re pushing so hard that your efforts no longer support this objective, it’s time to step back. 

No matter how dedicated we are to the missions of our organizations, we cannot turn to our work for all of the meaning in our lives. You are uniquely special because you come from a divine source. We all need to step away from our work and take a break for spiritual and physical refreshment from time to time. We all need to remember and reconnect with the loved ones from whom we derive our identities and our strength.

Ask yourself: “In my work today, is my best self in the driver’s seat? Or, am I burning myself out by chasing “symptoms of success” rather than allowing my inner spark to express itself as I go about my work?”

Image above may be purchased as a print from https://www.hebrica.com/collections/torah-and-texts/products/you-shall-be-holy-jewish-paper-cut-art

Inside Job Archive

Categories

  • Nonprofit Fundraising
  • Nonprofit Governance
  • Nonprofit Management & Leadership
  • Nonprofit Measurement & Impact
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Politics, Business & Society
  • Smart Philanthropy
  • Third Sector Perspectives
  • Timeless Wisdom
  • Uncategorized

Tweets by toddsukol

© 2022 Giving Way | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme