Welcome to the Wishnick & Associates blog! There is lots to read, based on experiences from my 20-plus years working with nonprofit, mission-driven organizations. I have written about strategic planning, capacity building, executive leadership transition, boards of directors, and more – lessons learned, effective principles, tips, and advice. My intended readers are nonprofit chief executives, board members, nonprofit staff (especially those aspiring to leadership roles), and anyone with an interest in myriad organizational issues. My hope is that through these blog articles, I can pass on a bit of the inspiration I get from my clients. Please let me know what you think, or if you have ideas for a future post … and do share these posts with others who may be interested. While I have moved to writing on a more occasional basis, there is a lot here to think about. Thank you for stopping by!
Tips to Enrich the Nonprofit Board Experience
The cold open works for Saturday Night Live, not so much for a nonprofit board meeting. Respecting board members’ time might seem to mean diving straight into business. But is that really the best approach? (more…)
5 Tips for Nonprofit Chief Executives and Board Chairs to Bring Out the Best in Each Other
Nonprofit chief executives and board chairs share the desire for their organizations to thrive. Developing a strong working relationship is essential to making this happen. Leading by example – as a cohesive team – you set a tone that can resonate organization-wide. (more…)
Ignore Infrastructure at Your Nonprofit’s Peril
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “infrastructure” as: “The underlying foundation or basic framework (as of a system or organization).”
Not particularly alluring.
Programs and services. Working with clients. Effecting change. Now we’re talking. Yet, without adequate infrastructure, these are not achievable.
When a Team Member Isn’t Acting Like Part of the Team
“People always accommodate the most difficult person in the room.”
Shining City: A Novel, by Tom Rosenstiel
So many mission-driven organizations focus on improving and enriching the lives of individuals and families, enhancing communities, furthering understanding, and much more to make things better. Compassion and the desire to be responsive to needs are important in working with clients. However, when it expands into nonprofit management, manifesting as being slow to address the behaviors of a difficult staff member, it can cause dysfunction in the organization. In this post, I share one such scenario as a cautionary tale. (more…)
How to Talk About Succession Planning
Nonprofit executives and board members often feel uncomfortable when someone mentions “succession.” There are usually awkward half-laughs, glances around the room to see how others are reacting, and a sense of liberation – finally, someone has mentioned the dreaded topic. The chief executive is concerned that mentioning succession will make the board think they are considering leaving. The board is worried that it will send an unintended message to the chief executive that they should be thinking about moving on. If a founder is involved, let’s face it, the level of uneasiness skyrockets. (more…)
Are You Leading your Nonprofit with Courage?
Leading a nonprofit is hard work. Internal and external issues arise that demand attention, and the solutions may not be easy. When issues go unattended, they may become so significant that they potentially endanger the organization somehow. But this doesn’t need to be the case. With strong leadership and skillful use of board meeting agendas, nonprofit executives and their boards can have important conversations so they may be proactive and responsive and not caught off guard. (more…)