Your Nonprofit's Leader Is Leaving - What Next?

With the baby boomers reaching retirement age and general turnover in the nonprofit world accelerating, many nonprofit organizations are facing the challenge of change at the top. The transition to new leadership is particularly risky for smaller organizations, which typically have limited staff and financial resources. These small to mid-sized nonprofits cannot afford a national executive recruiting firm to work up the position description and launch the search for a successor CEO or Executive Director. The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund have teamed up to provide resources to help manage these executive transitions. You can find useful information and guidance in the Executive Transition Monographs they have sponsored.

What's Your Personality Type?

The last time I typed "Personality Tests" into Google, I got more than 2 million hits. Clearly, people are interested in learning about their personalities. Consultants, test publishers and websites of various kinds are ready to serve this interest. While there are hundreds of different assessment tools, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator ("MBTI") is one of the most frequently used in the business world. Many large corporations use the assessment as part of their recruitment and training process. Knowing your type can help you be a more effective leader and team member. For a free assessment, go to this site. You will be able to take the assessment and learn more about personality types.

The Importance of Collaboration

To be an strong leader and change agent, you must also be an effective collaborator. Executive coaches and organizational development professionals understand the importance of collaboration and often work together, bringing different skills and perspectives to bear on the challenge facing an individual or organization. Dr. Mimi Hull, president and founder of Hull & Associates, specializes in organizational development and human relations training and counseling. Dr. Hull's newsletters are a great source of information and guidance for professionals who want to advance their careers and reach their business goals. Check out Dr. Hull's website and sign up for the newsletters.

Knowing When to Switch to Plan B

Change is not just something I blog about or help individuals and organizations deal with. It is something I struggle with myself each day. My experiences - good, bad, and in process - inform my coaching and executive transition management work. I changed cities and business environments about 2 years ago and have been working hard to get traction in my new locale. I have made progress but not enough to satisfy my career goals. So it is time for Plan B, which includes renewing relationships with clients and colleagues back in New York City, where I lived for more than 20 years. I will be in New York for a few days each month going forward. The prospects look promising.

As you consider your business goals, it is important to be realistic about the probability of success. Of course, you should give it your best shot. There may come a point of diminishing returns, however. Being flexible is key. There is more than one road to success.