Comments for Moving the Needle

Comment on The Interim Solution: Nonprofit Boards Increasingly Embrace Interim Executive Leadership During Executive Transitions by Ellen Carton

Ellen Carton — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:32:52 +0000

I am in the middle of my first interim e.d. experience and it is a great opportunity – I am able to see – with detachment – how to support the organization to strengthen and grow. As a consultant I have the same detachment but often not enough time to have an impact. This is a great middle ground – between short term consulting and the super difficult job of permanent ED.

Now I would like to have a network of other interim EDs to connect with.

Comment on Remembering a Generous Spirit by maksud28

maksud28 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:16:29 +0000

Great post, do you mind if I re-blog this (with full attribution and linking)? I really want to share it with my readers, they would find it very useful. Soul Cachaca Nightlife

Comment on Remembering a Generous Spirit by maksud28

maksud28 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:52:40 +0000

A really well written post, thank you for your hard work, please keep it up. I’ve found a lot of information which will help all who wants to crea Soul Cachaca Nightlife

Comment on Remembering a Generous Spirit by Merrill Black

Merrill Black — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:01:32 +0000

I loved working with Steve and will really miss his wry wit and steadying presence as well as his creativity and commitment.

Comment on Remembering a Generous Spirit by Maria Semple

Maria Semple — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:37:25 +0000

It was such a pleasure to work with Steve in developing workshops for The Support Center. He will be sorely missed by the greater New York nonprofit commmunity. Let’s all give a nod to Steve as we continue helping nonprofits by sharing our time, talents and treasures.
~Maria Semple

Comment on Considering Collaborations? by classifieds

classifieds — Fri, 13 May 2011 00:14:07 +0000

I really like what you are saying, and are glad I found your website. Please keep it up. I was recommended this website by my Friends. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else knows such detailed about my problem. You’re incredible! Thanks!

Comment on A Short Menu for Leadership Sanity by Moving The Needle

Moving The Needle — Mon, 02 May 2011 21:16:59 +0000

Here is an e-mail we received from Ruth S. Taylor, Executive Director of Newport Historical Society. Thanks for your message Ruth!

“Don,
My daughter, who is an arts administrator in New York, sent me an email containing your five-item sanity menu.

I of course agree with all five. But! I am concerned about the message that we send to emerging professionals that if they only remember the five things, the seven things, the one hundred tips for good management… then they can succeed in the tumultuous and often poorly-structured arena of non-profit management. The message from successful managers often seems to me to read as “well, if you can just be superman, everything will work out.” Isn’t there something wrong with that message?”

Ruth St. Taylor, Executive Director
Newport Historical Society

Comment on A Short Menu for Leadership Sanity by Moving The Needle

Moving The Needle — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:57:02 +0000

Here is a comment from one nonpofit leader on how she stays sane:

“Don, Loved your piece in the newsletter. To keep myself sane – especially in my previous role as CEO of Gilda’s Club Northern NJ – I try to network with peers as much as possible. Not only can I learn how to deal with some issues from someone who has been through it, knowing you’re not alone in the issues you face came be extremely comforting. I also run – exercising as we know is a good stress reliever, but I find running to be an activity that requires so little thought that as my mind goes off in its own direction, it produces a lot of solutions.

I should also mention I’m enjoying the Trajectory Leadership Group!”

-Mary G. Connolly, Director, Development and Communications
Episcopal Social Services

Comment on A Short Menu for Leadership Sanity by sarahdurham

sarahdurham — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:25:27 +0000

Don, your post reminds me of some of the valuable lessons in Jim Collins’ book “Good to Great” about effective leadership, too: in particular, the importance of ‘getting the right people on the bus’, and how some of the best leaders lead quietly.

Comment on Are You Kidding Me? by Michael Bauch

Michael Bauch — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:38:57 +0000

I have been a member of two not-for-profit association boards. In both cases, it was clear from the start that the board elected the Executive Director, not the reverse. Why was it so clear? This requirement was incorporated in the by-laws of both associations and the board members were of like minds in conducting the executive search according to the by-laws.

Undeniably, organizational politics and the dealmaking, alliances, back-channels and other offline tactics that it spawns can provide ways around even the most stringent by-laws and vigilant board members. So it is for the board to decide: which is more important – the political games that board members play or the integrity of its policies and procedures?