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Let’s be honest, being a leader at a nonprofit is not an easy gig. It is like walking a tight rope daily where you are balancing the needs of the community and donor expectations. Being able to grow your nonprofit takes more than just being passionate. It takes creativity, grit, and the ability to learn from your mistakes. Without solid leadership, everything can fall apart so easily. Regardless of the size of a nonprofit, every organization needs a fantastic leader. Becoming a great leader means identifying the nonprofit leadership skills your organization needs. Not all nonprofits are created equal so it’s important to figure out the specific leadership skills you need to bring. However, we believe there are some cornerstone skills that all nonprofit leaders need.  

The first step to becoming a fantastic leader is identifying the skills you can work on. Here at the Foundation, we work with many different organizations, and we have found that some of the most unexpected skills are the ones that make the biggest difference. Let’s jump into our list of 5 things you can develop to improve your nonprofit leadership skills. 

Build Strong Relationships 

One of the best skills a nonprofit leader can develop is the ability to build relationships. Whether it is employees, donors, or volunteers, nonprofit leaders ask a lot of those supporting their organization. No one wants to feel like they are being taken advantage of, which is why investing time into those involved with your nonprofit is so important. Investing time in those around you builds trust. Leaders who build confidence and develop relationships usually have the support of those around them.   

It is essential to build relationships with everyone, from volunteers to board members to integral donors. Everyone in and around your organization deserves to feel like you care for all of them. This can be accomplished by intentionally building relationships and remembering small details like a volunteer’s birthday, calling to check in on a sick board member, or sending a hand-written thank you note. Taking the time to invest in people will result in more support for your organization.    

Many Hands Make Light Work 

We know that delegating tasks can be the worst, especially when you can do things quicker and more efficiently than someone else. We hate to break the news to you, but you can’t do everything yourself. Delegating is one of the most underrated nonprofit leadership skills.    

Allowing your team, interns, volunteers, and board members to take tasks off your to-do list will benefit everyone. You can build capacity within your team and engage with them in a meaningful way. Your team can help you get more done than you would ever be able to do yourself, and that is valuable. Give your team space to fulfill their roles and spend more time leading! As you build those strong relationships, you’ll be even better equipped to identify which of your contacts have the right experience and skill to take on each task.  

Take Care of Yourself 

Here at the Fayette Community Foundation, we are always talking about self-care. We know first-hand how important it is for nonprofit leaders to take care of themselves. So, it is no surprise that this is one of our nonprofit leadership skills. Want to know more about our self-care tips? Check out our Community Care Starts Within article.  

Here’s the deal: you can’t succeed if your body and mind fail. It is easy to fall into burnout or be physically unhealthy when not caring for yourself. Find a hobby that you enjoy that keeps your body moving, reduces stress levels, and supports your mental health. Taking care of yourself does not mean you are taking your eyes off the prize; in fact, it means you are aligning yourself to continue pursuing your goals with confidence and persistence.   

Be Able to Pivot 

 We know you may have heard this before, but one of the best nonprofit leadership skills you can have is flexibility. Things are constantly changing in the nonprofit world, and the organizations that are the most successful are the ones that can pivot. They can shift their organization and head in a different direction while pursuing the same goals. It’s easy to question whether moving in a new or different direction is the correct choice, but don’t be afraid to switch things up significantly if your organization and community benefit. Change is not always bad, and sometimes being uncomfortable means that you and your organization are growing.   

Ask a Lot of Questions 

One thing a leader can never do enough of is listening. Spend some time listening to board members, volunteers, and team members. Ask them about their experiences, opinions, and perspectives. Be curious about the people involved in your community and organization. There is so much to learn from those around you!   

Not only should you be asking questions of those around you, but you should also be asking yourself questions. Be curious about what you can do better and how you can improve your leadership. Every leader needs to make space for introspection.    

Get More Information 

Improve your nonprofit leadership skills by following these tips! We hope you found some valuable ideas to implement into your leadership. If you are looking to level up your marketing, we have more tips to help you along the way. For more nonprofit information, check out our blog, where we have dedicated a blog each month to support our local nonprofits. If you want to stay updated with everything that is happening at the Fayette Community Foundation, sign up for our nonprofit newsletter.