Every nonprofit has a mission, and they need people to reach that goal. There isn’t an app that will create climate change. There isn’t an app that gives us educational equity. We need people to do it. In a recent episode on the Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership podcast, Beth Napleton of Beth Napleton Consulting breaks down the ‘people problems’ that get in the way of the mission – and what to do about it.
The main people problems that can get in the way of a nonprofit’s mission are lack of communication, incorrect or excessive delegation, and burnout.
Lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings between team members, resulting in poor collaboration and decision-making. To prevent this from happening, it is important for teams to have regular open dialogue with each other about goals, progress, and challenges they are facing. Team members should also be encouraged to ask questions and share their own ideas on how projects could be accomplished more effectively. Doing so will create an environment where everyone is on the same page while still giving them freedom to express their individual thoughts.
Incorrect or excessive delegation can cause staff overload and confusion over who is responsible for what. To combat this, organizations should set clear expectations when delegating tasks to staff members and make sure everyone is aware of their roles. Leaders should also ensure that each team member has the resources they need to accomplish their goals, such as proper training or access to mentors.
Burnout can occur when staff are not given enough support or time to complete tasks. To prevent burnout, leaders should provide regular feedback on performance and offer guidance on how employees can improve. Organizations should also create a work environment that encourages creativity and exploration so that employees feel inspired and motivated in their work. Ultimately, it’s important for all team members to have a sense of ownership over the mission of the organization which will help them remain committed and engaged.
Beth shared: “I feel this topic is so important because I’d rather have a good plan that gets done than an amazing plan that gathers dust.”
About Beth Napleton
Beth Napleton is a national award-winning teacher and has been in the education field for over 20 years, having trained close to 2,000 teachers and leaders to success. Most recently, she served as Founder and CEO of a small charter school network on the South Side of Chicago that opened in 2013. All graduates of her schools – most of them first-generation students – were all accepted to four-year colleges.
Learn more: www.bethnapleton.com
Beth’s Leadership Quiz: https://bethnapleton.involve.me/leadershipquiz