Not all Managers are Leaders. Moreover, not all Leaders are savvy. In this post, Ruth Simmons offers a few nuggets for those who aspire to be savvy Leaders. Wisdom-building lessons aren’t always where you’d expect to find them.
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In life, Simmons feels that learning is ongoing and that lessons can be learned when you least expect them. A Leader must not assume that lessons are always going to come ‘neatly tied in a bow’.
To put it simply, Ruth Simmons feels that organizations driven by “individual glorification” are doomed to mediocrity. In this post, three teamwork strategies, that Simmons learned early in her professional career, are shared. As well, the work of Patrick Lencioni, on the dysfunctions that make good teamwork impossible, are explored.
Read More 3 Habits of Highly-effective, Team-successful Leaders
What are two of the keys to being an effective Leader? Ruth Simmons, rightly, feels that being amicable and keeping your ego in check are essential elements of being such a leader. An interview she had with a New York Times reporter in 2011 sheds light on her insightful thoughts on these and other leadership qualities. In this Series on Ruth Simmons, this interview, other interviews she has done, and videos will serve as a way to see how one non-profit Leader has made her mark – and how you can ‘Lead like Ruth’ too.
To put it simply, egomaniacal leaders who are nasty and publicly berate those on their staff won’t be effective; they’re likely merely managers. That’s the focus of this Your Outcomes Well Series post. Read More Leaders: Working Amicably with People Works Well
The job of a University President isn’t a simple one. Ruth J. Simmons has led 2 major universities (1995 – 2012) and is currently, after a five year break, leading a third university.
Read More Ruth J. Simmons: A Trailblazing University Leader (Part 2)
The job of a University President isn’t a simple one. For a large, private university the unique hats one must wear are particularly challenging. These leadership positions involves many skills, including:
Given these ‘hats’, to rise and successfully a single university or college is a uniquely-challenging thing for a person to accomplish. Ruth J. Simmons has led 2 universities (1995 – 2012) and is currently, after a five year break, leading a third.
It’s through one’s ability to motivate that a Non-profit Leader can Activate. Activate what? The written plans and internal passion they have for their cause, organization, or department. Where does this begin? With the self-talk and self-motivation of the leader. From there it’s important to be able to motivate and inspire others.
3 women have shared their thoughts on motivation on this blog. Twelve (12) quotes from our Leadership Keys posts should serve as good food for thought too.
When Your Outcomes Well met with Donna Newton, we knew she was a leader in the Greensboro area’s Non-Profit community. While some who are called leaders are really glorified managers, Donna isn’t one of them! She’s a true leader. In this new Series, we’ll share the hardworking, humble woman’s thoughtful insights into a wide range of important issues facing most Professionals and Executive Directors in the Non-profit sector.
Read More Knowing Newton: The Non-profit Journey of Donna Newton
As many non-profits have come to learn, those who donate their time (Volunteers) can be as valuable as those who donate their money (Donors). Successfully managing volunteers is the focus of this Toni Jackson series post.
For some Non-profit organizations, people who work willingly as unpaid supporters are the lifeblood of the non-profit. If this describes your organization, it’s particularly important to be smart in the way you motivate and lead your volunteers. Jackson offers several strategies and thoughts on doing so.
Read More Volunteers: An Essential Element of Many Non-profits (Toni Jackson)
What separates well-run Non-profits from those that often run aground? Passion? Available funds? Habits? In this post, Toni Jackson sets forth two habits that she feels the best run non-profit organizations need to know and master.
It’s habits that can often make or break non-profits. Want to achieve sustainability? Embracing good habits, and eliminating bad ones, is a very good place to start.
Read More Achieving Better Outcomes: 2 Must-do Habits of Non-profits
Given the wide range of skills and backgrounds to be ideally found at a meeting of Board members and the Executive Director, a well-led non-profit makes sure these men and women harmoniously complement one another. In this post, Toni Jackson explores how the Executive Director and Board members are stronger working together. Working apart is avoided whenever possible. The odd coupling of gifts within some non-profit organizations can allow them to thrive where others would simply struggle.
Read More Stronger Working Together: Executive Directors and Non-profit Boards
Better Outcomes through Best Practices (Non-Profit Leaders)