Far too many executive directors stay in jobs too long. There are a few common reasons.
Older executives may choose to ‘ride out’ their gig until they retire, which can mean that toward the end of their tenure, they lead without any appetite or passion for the mission.
Sometimes it is obvious to board members that it’s time for a leadership change, but boards will do almost anything (or nothing, in this case) to avoid navigating a transition and having to lead a search — because it’s a hard task, and the stakes are high.
It also can happen because nonprofit leaders spend their workdays sprinting, wearing multiple hats, and answering to a variety of stakeholders. Their work is often urgent and there is little or no time to consider, much less explore, a new professional role.
In many cases, leaders may not see any paths forward, even though there are many. Exploring them doesn’t take as much time as people think, and it can actually be quite energizing.
If you are a leader considering a move in the next two to four years, here is a two-step process to help you gather information and decide.
Step 1: Assess Your Skills and Interests
You don’t need a coach to tackle this, although I often coach leaders through this exercise. It helps to have a thought-partner who knows you well, but you also can fly solo.
Answer the following questions and prompts. Spend about 90 minutes on this and be sure to write out your answers.
What about your current job fuels you? Consider a typical week or, better yet, grab your calendar from last month. Look at days or meetings that energized you or “put gas in your tank.” Make a list of those activities.
What about your current job drains you? Hold on to your calendar and look at the other side of this coin. Maybe you don’t enjoy writing or public speaking. One of my clients who is fueled by strategy finds it draining to be reactive instead of out in front of things. (I totally get that.) It can be a skill or a situation — there are no wrong answers.
List your skills and characteristics, your “superpowers.”
List your kryptonite. Dig deep here. What are you really not good at?
Describe your dream job. To help you get started, think about this: If your imaginary job were open and a search firm called you about it, it would feel like winning the lottery or an Oscar nomination.
Identify some options. Now that you have reflected on your assets, what fuels you, and any skills gaps, consider the following questions, which will help bring your desires to life.
- What are my ‘must haves?’ When this list is complete, you’ll have a good sense of the relative value of a job with meaning and purpose and salary-range requirements.
- Is the private sector an option? If yes, explore the circumstances, such as could it be a consulting firm or PR firm with nonprofit clients, a corporate foundation, or a corporate social-responsibility role?
- Explore the nonprofit sector. Make a list of missions that really fire you up. Add to or edit this list and rate each entry on a scale of one to 10, wth10 being an absolute yes.
- Direct service
- Advocacy
- Think tank/systemic change
- Foundation
- Local/national
Now put the document you created aside for several days or a week.
Step 2: Review Your Assessment
After some time has passed, review your responses. Do they still feel right? If not, adjust. The review likely will cause you to start to focus and wonder about a new chapter.
Next make a list of interesting organizations and do some research. Go to websites and look at the work they do and their staff positions. Do you feel any energy or excitement?
At this point, don’t worry about job openings. You might think: “They do really interesting work; I didn’t realize they did that!” Or, “They clearly are bringing their DEI vision to life at this organization and that excites me.” Add your reflections to the document.
Explore recruiting firms and their current searches. In this exploration, you are not asking yourself, Do I want this job? You are simply learning about job opportunities in general and the search firm’s area of focus. Check out a few announcements and job descriptions; then add more reflections to your document.
Now the exercise is complete. “Stop now?” you may wonder. Yes, because this an exploration, not a search. This exercise will give you greater clarity and a sense of forward motion. Plus, you now have a new lens through which to interact with your stakeholders and through which to network at conferences. Good Luck!
