Mission Possible Strategies for Nonprofits: Recent Episodes
Lisa Gibson
Mission Possible Strategies Podcast is hosted by Lisa Gibson, a certified professional coach. She is a mentor and leadership strategist for nonprofit executive directors in their first three years on the job. This show offers practical guidance and inspiration to new executive directors who want to run their nonprofit without getting run down. Episodes cover building allies on the board, showcasing program outcomes to funders and the community, and streamlining processes to make the job easier. The show also delves into work-life balance, staff and board challenges, fundraising and budgeting, and the importance of executive presence. Lisa has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit world including 15 years as an executive director. Join the conversation and listen to shows on your favorite podcast app.
Hello executive directors, Welcome to the podcast.
In Episode 11, we discussed tips for improving your performance as an executive director. In this episode, we discuss ways to help your employees improve their performance and why performance reviews aren’t effective. Find the show notes at missionpossiblestrategies.com/16.
For decades, the annual tradition was sitting down with your supervisor and going over your performance review. Both supervisors and direct reports dreaded it.
I remember a performance review in which my supervisor told me 20 things I did right over the past year and one thing I did wrong. And guess what? For weeks afterward, I ruminated on the one thing I did wrong.
With all the things you have to accomplish as an executive director, annual performance reviews with your direct reports probably seem like an annual burden you just have to get through.
Recently, companies have begun to focus on creating a “culture of feedback” instead of emphasizing the annual performance review. However, we have been so focused on creating cultures of feedback, we’ve forgotten the purpose of feedback in the first place.
The objective of feedback is to help people improve their performance.
But here’s the thing: Telling people they are missing the mark is not the same as helping them hit the mark.
In fact, it often has the opposite effect. Of all forms of communication, feedback is perhaps the hardest to give and receive.
The supervisor has to criticize, which might hurt the employee’s feelings. So, the supervisor is likely to avoid the conversation in the first place. And even if the conversation occurs, the recipient of the feedback is likely to hear, “You’re not good enough and you need to change” which leads to shame.
What about positive feedback which highlights what an employee did well? Just focusing on positives won’t necessarily address weaknesses that are getting in the way of performance.
How can we build a culture of high performance rather than a culture of feedback?
I watched a movie about time travel last night. And I started thinking: “If I could travel back in time and talk to myself 40 years ago, what advice would I give? “
There is a lot of advice I wish I could give myself at 22, including “Stay out of the sun,” “Travel when you’re young,” and “Stay in touch with old friends.”
But I would also try to save my "younger self" a lot of grief by explaining, “It’s very simple…You have 5 choices when considering a problem.”
Go to missionpossiblestrategies.com/15 to read the transcript.
Is your board grappling with whether to implement board term limits? Many boards struggle over this decision. There are certainly pros and cons to each side, especially from the executive director's perspective.
This episode explores the most common practices and mistakes related to board terms. To read the entire transcript, go to missionpossiblestrategies.com/14.
Sources:
https://boardsource.org/resources/term-limits/
https://boardable.com/blog/
We’ve all struggled with keeping a healthy balance between our work life and our personal life.
It’s not easy to take care of our families, our health, our personal passions, and even pets while also taking care of our responsibilities at work.
Work-life balance seeks to equally prioritize the demands of work and personal life by establishing clear boundaries and a firm, designated schedule. Being able to disconnect from one to pay attention to the other is challenging.
So how do people actually achieve work-life balance?
The thing is… most people don’t! We often find ourselves burdened with feelings of guilt because we can’t be fully present.
And with remote and hybrid workplaces growing recently, it feels like it’s harder to separate our work life from our personal life. But, what if we shouldn’t separate them and rather integrate them? Could that work?
Find the full transcript at missionpossiblestrategies.com/13.
In this episode, we explore the reasons nonprofit executive directors leave their positions and how the board can help. Find the full transcript at missionpossiblestrategies.com/12.
Today we’re discussing ways to improve your leadership performance as an executive director through the three C’s: Concentration, Clarity, and Centering.
Being able to focus and concentrate on the things that matter most at any particular time is an important skill. How likely are you to focus on what you want to happen as opposed to what you don’t want to happen?
Uncertainty and indecision cause a drain on energy. If you don’t have clarity, you’re unlikely to perform to your maximum potential. . How can you gain more clarity in your leadership role?
An excellent way to block distractions and harness energy is to create a regular practice that gets you into a more alert, focused, calm state. This is called centering. Do you know several techniques for centering?
Find the full transcript at missionpossiblestrategies.com/11
Awareness of your own and others’ feelings leads to greater interpersonal effectiveness, increased personal satisfaction, enhanced relationships, and better performance in all areas of life.
In this episode, we discuss how increasing your emotional intelligence can make you a better nonprofit executive director.
Find the full transcript at missionpossiblestrategies.com/10
Everyone experiences stress at work and at home. People often say they want less stress but what they really want is to have less of a stress reaction so their energy isn’t zapped by what’s going on.
It’s your reaction to stress that’s the enemy, not the stress itself. What one person perceives as stressful might not even bother another person.
In this episode, we’re talking about things that cause a stress reaction involving tension and anxiety. This type of stress reaction taxes the body and mind.
Find the full transcript at MissionPossibleStrategies.com/9
If you had to describe your board meetings using the name of a movie, song, or TV show, what would it be?
Titanic?
Grumpy Old Men?
He's Just Not That Into You?
In this episode, we explore the symptoms of unhealthy board meetings and I offer 4 tips for ensuring board meetings aren't boring.
Find the transcript at missionpossiblestrategies.com/8
*Source: Robert Akton at causestrategypartners.com
There are many reasons for conflict between the Executive Director and the board.
In this episode, we’ll explore the most common reasons and then I’ll share my personal story of clashing with a board member.
Find the full transcript at MissionPossibleStrategies.com/7
Hello Executive Directors,
Welcome to the weekly podcast for executive directors in their first 3 years.
In Episode 5, we talked about ways to make sure you are delegating appropriately, but it’s also crucial to engage staff so they’ll want to stay.
With the many hats you wear as an executive director, the best minute you spend is the one you invest in people.Efficient staff help you operate more efficiently.
Ideally, you should have more time for your staff than they have for you.
But how do you make time for your staff and still have time to do your own work?
Here are 3 tips: (Find the full transcript at www.missionpossiblestrategies.com/6)
Hello Nonprofit Executive Directors,
Welcome to the weekly podcast for ED’s in their first three years.
I remember…many years ago… being an overwhelmed executive director and getting an email about a time management course that I wanted to take.
And then I realized I didn’t have time for a time management course. The irony made me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Sound familiar?
As a new nonprofit executive director, you may feel you are juggling 100 balls at once.
But instead of focusing on keeping all those balls in the air, sometimes it’s best to focus on which ones to drop.
Today we’ll explore 3 questions to ask yourself when you need to set your priorities.
Find the show notes at www.MissionPossibleStrategies.com/5
Hello Nonprofit Executive Directors,
Welcome to this weekly podcast for EDs in their first 3 years on the job.
I started my business, Mission Possible Strategies because I wanted to be the mentor and coach that I wish I had had as a first-time ED.
The nonprofit profession does a good job of providing training on various topics such as fundraising, strategic planning, and grant writing. But there is very little long-term individualized coaching and mentoring for first-time EDs.
Being an Executive Director can be the most fulfilling job you’ll ever have but it’s not for the faint of heart.
I want to help you tackle 5 challenges you might face in your first year.
To read the rest of the transcript, go to www.MissionPossibleStrategies.com/4.
Hello Executive Directors. Welcome to the podcast!
Today, we’re going to talk about maintaining a positive mindset when the honeymoon is over. Find the show notes at missionpossiblestrategies.com/3.
As I noted in Episode 1, I did market research by interviewing executive directors to better understand their dreams and challenges before I started this podcast. I wanted to see if things had changed very much since I began my career.
When I look back over the last 30 years, I am amazed at how little has changed. The issues I struggled with as a first-time executive director are still relevant today
Although technology has changed dramatically (I didn’t even have internet or email when I started), the FEELINGs that new ED’s experience have not changed. After 6-12 months on the job, which I will call the Honeymoon Period, the excitement of the new job wears off. And you may be surprised to discover you have strong feelings about 2 issues.
For more, go to www.missionpossiblestrategies.com/3
Hello Nonprofit Leaders,
Welcome to my weekly podcast for new executive directors.
Today I want to talk about the secret sauce for your success as a nonprofit executive director.
There are many qualities that make a great executive director: leadership experience, time management, networking skills, financial acumen, and dedication. But do you know what will make or break you in your new role as an ED?
Your relationship with your board chair.
Much is written about the roles and responsibilities of the executive director vs. the board chair. And a lot of emphasis is placed on each person “staying in their lane.”
To be sure, clarity on responsibilities is crucial, but what about the important element of trust? How do you build it, keep it, and leverage it
To read the transcript, go to missionpossiblestrategies.com/2.
You know … being a nonprofit executive director is one of the hardest jobs around. There’s a lot of training available but very little coaching and mentoring. Burnout and turnover are common.
This podcast will have a lot of practical guidance and inspiration for nonprofit executive directors who have been in their role for 3 years or less.
I speak your language because I’ve been in your shoes. I want to help you strategically run your nonprofit and board so the job doesn’t run you down.
To read the full transcript, go to missionpossiblestrategies.com/0.
Hello Executive Directors,
Welcome to my weekly podcast for new EDs. I’m Lisa Gibson.
I spent 25 years in nonprofits and 15 years as an executive director. I’ve set up a new business to coach and mentor nonprofit executive directors with less than 3 years of experience. I speak your language because I’ve been there.
To prepare for starting my new business, I interviewed 12 executive directors to gain insight into their dreams, goals, and challenges.
In this episode, you’ll hear themes of inspiration as well as frustration which are common to all new executive directors. I’m sure they will sound familiar to you.
To read the full transcript, go to missionpossiblestrategies.com/1.