Leadership Development through Peer Networks As we look back on the first year of our leadership development program in Milwaukee, it’s powerful to witness the positive impact peer-learning had on Leadership Advanced participants. Peers describe the mentoring that takes place both within the formal Leadership Advanced sessions and via LinkedIn Groups, ongoing socializing and networking. Watch the video to learn more. … Continue reading “Leadership Development through Peer Networks” As we look back on the first year of our leadership development program in Milwaukee, it’s powerful to witness the positive impact peer-learning had on Leadership Advanced participants. Peers describe the mentoring that takes place both within the formal Leadership Advanced sessions and via LinkedIn Groups, ongoing socializing and networking. Watch the video to learn more. Peer Network Impact – Interviews – Leadership Advanced on Vimeo. Is your foundation ready to fund a peer-centered learning community for greater impact? Contact Mary today.
What’s the difference between coaching, counseling and consulting? Consider the “riding a bike” metaphor to understand the differences between coaching, consulting and counseling. In Coaching you might hear: “You (the client) get on the bike and I will walk along side of you until you can do it.” In Counseling you might hear: “What has your past experience been with bikes, how does … Continue reading “What’s the difference between coaching, counseling and consulting?” Consider the “riding a bike” metaphor to understand the differences between coaching, consulting and counseling. In Coaching you might hear: “You (the client) get on the bike and I will walk along side of you until you can do it.” In Counseling you might hear: “What has your past experience been with bikes, how does that affect you now? In Consulting you might hear: “I (the consultant) will get on the bike and then write procedures on how to do it.” Is coaching or consulting right for you? Read more about Vista Global’s coaching and consulting services and contact Mary for your complimentary introductory sample session today!
Model of Shared Leadership: Benefits of a Mixed Cohort Most Nonprofit Leadership Development and Learning Community programs focus solely on Executive Directors or CEOs. But the Leadership Advanced model provides a richer learning experience through a blended cohort of both Senior Managers and CEOs. This blend of participants helps address the leadership gap facing the nonprofit sector today. By design, this learning community models … Continue reading “Model of Shared Leadership: Benefits of a Mixed Cohort” Most Nonprofit Leadership Development and Learning Community programs focus solely on Executive Directors or CEOs. But the Leadership Advanced model provides a richer learning experience through a blended cohort of both Senior Managers and CEOs. This blend of participants helps address the leadership gap facing the nonprofit sector today. By design, this learning community models shared leadership, which is so important for sustainability in the nonprofit sector. Watch the video to learn more. Benefits of a Mixed Cohort – Interviews – Leadership Advanced on Vimeo. Is a mixed cohort the right approach for your leadership development initiative? Contact Mary today.
How Coaching Shifts “Me to We” Recently I attended the Global Co-Active Summit in Napa, CA. Being in a space with 650 coaches for nearly three full days is a powerful experience in itself. To add to that, talking about what we individually and collectively do to shift the world from “Me to We” was mind-bending at times. We learned a … Continue reading “How Coaching Shifts “Me to We”” Recently I attended the Global Co-Active Summit in Napa, CA. Being in a space with 650 coaches for nearly three full days is a powerful experience in itself. To add to that, talking about what we individually and collectively do to shift the world from “Me to We” was mind-bending at times. We learned a lot from each other, a lot about ourselves and shared how the work that we do with individuals collectively makes the world a better place. I have always recognized that coaching is a powerful vehicle for leadership development but have not been able to articulate this transformation in a way that felt adequate or comprehensive. I would say, “Coaching helps individuals reach their full potential so they can contribute their greatest gifts in meaningful ways.” That didn’t quite cut it. So when Karen and Henry Kimsey-House unveiled a new paradigm of leadership, it finally felt like I had some language to express the power of coaching. This new paradigm confirms what I always say when working with coaching clients and nonprofit leaders. “Everyone is a Leader”. It is a matter of identifying and reaching that untapped potential. This new Co-Active® Dimensional Leadership™ (CDL) model demonstrates how “Everyone is a Leader” in 5 dimensions. Leader from Within: It has to start with “you”, your core set of values and purpose in the world. We strive to always lead from within, aligning with our values, living authentically on purpose, with integrity. When a leader is not living in alignment with his/her values, energy that could be directed toward creating a better world is wasted. Leader from Behind: This is the predominant dimension that coaches embody. In this dimension, your intention is to develop the leadership skills and competencies of others. This dimension is also seen in mentoring. Leader from Beside: This happens in true partnerships. When you are in this dimension the focus is on how you form an alliance with your co-leader to make sure that you share a common intention. This is the experience of mutuality, flowing with others. Leader from the Front: This is the dimension which traditionally is identified as “leader”. The person most visible, whose voice is heard, who stands front and center. However in this model, leader from the front has a collaborative element. Leader from this dimension provides vision and inspires others to take action to move toward that vision. Leader from the Whole: This dimension was the hardest for me to grasp and I am still internalizing its meaning. This concept goes beyond vision, purpose and focuses on the BIG PICTURE, the meta-view, the energy, spirit and other elements that are in the space. It is tuning into the intuition, what else is present? Like a tuning fork, there are vibrations to tap into and fold into our awareness as leaders. After hearing about this Co-Active Dimensional Leadership Model, we were placed in groups and had a task of a treasure hunt throughout the two days. Through this team focused activity, ten of us moved around the dimensions of the model at different moments. We learned from each other how each dimension presented itself. We saw the dimensions in each other and ourselves. It was a powerful action learning experience. Each of us learned about our natural tendencies and where we needed to stretch as leaders. So what dimensions are natural for you? Where do you need to stretch to reach your full potential?
Notes from Leadership Advanced Milwaukee: How Nonprofits Balance Service and Advocacy Recently, my colleague Steve Zimmerman of Spectrum Nonprofit Services and I led a session for Leadership Advanced Milwaukee on Balancing Service and Advocacy. To recap, Leadership Advanced is a cohort-based, peer-centered, professional development program. How does the program work to strengthen nonprofit leaders and create stronger communities? Check out the new Leadership Advanced Overview video. Why … Continue reading “Notes from Leadership Advanced Milwaukee: How Nonprofits Balance Service and Advocacy” Recently, my colleague Steve Zimmerman of Spectrum Nonprofit Services and I led a session for Leadership Advanced Milwaukee on Balancing Service and Advocacy. To recap, Leadership Advanced is a cohort-based, peer-centered, professional development program. How does the program work to strengthen nonprofit leaders and create stronger communities? Check out the new Leadership Advanced Overview video. Why Nonprofits Need to Advocate According to the research presented in Forces for Good on the six practices of high impact nonprofits, advocacy is one of the six practices of high impact nonprofits. Conducting programs on the ground help meet the immediate needs of constituents as well as inform the system-level reform necessary to create long-term sustainable solutions. Advocacy in this context is used to identify changes in public behavior, laws and public policy. Many practitioners and board members in the nonprofit sector believe that advocacy is forbidden by the IRS regulations and that nonprofits are walking a slippery slope if they venture into this arena. Well before we even go there, why should nonprofits pursue advocacy? What Crutchfield and McLeod Grant state is that there is a virtuous cycle between service and advocacy. What organizations learn from delivering direct service programs informs what is needed to improve conditions for better outcomes for constituents. Direct service also offers channels for implementing innovative solutions. With this knowledge, organizations are well positioned to advocate for legislation, funding and raise visibility of the importance of their causes for public benefit. Advocacy is not Lobbying The term advocacy often conjures a vision of lobbying. Lobbying is a very small slice of the advocacy pie. There are many other approaches to advocacy that don’t include influencing elected officials regarding a specific piece of legislation. These approaches include: civic engagement (involving others in your mission); information advocacy (providing analysis of an issue); and lobbying lite (talking about issues not legislation with public officials). Approaches to Advocacy In our Leadership Advanced Milwaukee session, we asked whether any of the organizations represented in the group conducted advocacy activities. Three of the eleven participants acknowledged that their organizations did conduct formal advocacy activities. Interestingly, these three organizations represented the various approaches to arrive at balancing service and advocacy. One organization started with advocacy as its primary focus and later added direct service programs to fill a need for services. Another organization started with direct service and recognized the importance of a voice for their cause. The third organization began with both direct service programs and advocacy activities. At one point in my career, I held a position as Marketing and Communications Director for a statewide advocacy organization for children and families. Every day, I was providing information and education regarding various policies and practices that affected children and families in New Mexico. We developed campaigns to inform the public about various pieces of legislation that would negatively impact those citizens that can’t vote, children. Only once did I need to register as a lobbyist and that was when we were engaged in the drafting of a specific piece of legislation to create a youth development fund. In that circumstance, my time was focused exclusively on that effort, to influence policy makers and elected officials. Before you dismiss advocacy as something your organization “can’t do” check the IRS guidelines. An organization with a budget of $500,000 annually can legally spend $100,000 on lobbying without jeopardizing its nonprofit tax-exempt status. How Does Your Nonprofit Advocate? Does your organization participate in advocacy activities? Leave a comment below describing your approach. If not, think about the impact you want to make with your services. What changes in the environment would increase that impact? Those barriers to increasing impact are the place to start with advocacy activities.
Nonprofit Leaders: Are You Prepared to Pass the Torch? Over the past 10 years, leadership development and succession planning in the nonprofit sector has been gaining increased attention. In 2006, a national research study of nonprofit executive leadership found that 75% of leaders planned to retire in 5 years. In 2011, the study was conducted again and although the pace of transition was dampened … Continue reading “Nonprofit Leaders: Are You Prepared to Pass the Torch?” Over the past 10 years, leadership development and succession planning in the nonprofit sector has been gaining increased attention. In 2006, a national research study of nonprofit executive leadership found that 75% of leaders planned to retire in 5 years. In 2011, the study was conducted again and although the pace of transition was dampened by the recession, executive turnover remains high. While the economy’s recovery is still in question, the need for more nonprofit leaders is irrefutable. The current prediction? Approximately 640,000 nonprofit leaders will be needed by 2016. What are we as a sector doing to nurture the next generation of leaders? Is your organization prepared for a turnover in leadership? Stay tuned for an upcoming informative webinar this spring! Webinar participants will explore strategies to strengthen nonprofit leadership and commit to the next generation of nonprofit sector leaders. Can’t wait for the webinar to get started on succession planning? Email me today.
