Half-hearted, insincere apologies and promises not to do it again abound. There’s a better way to say "I'm sorry."  It’s a perfect model for how to build a culture of accountability for you team. 

Boards often have no experience evaluating executive performance and may shy away from reviews. But without them, you’re missing opportunities to grow as a leader and help your organization thrive.

When you or your team struggle to maintain focus, first get clear on your goals. Then choose a manageable approach and track results to ensure you meet those goals.

Finding the time and energy to consider your strategic direction is one of the most pressing challenges for busy mission-driven leaders. Here are some tips for stepping back to see the big picture.

Distraction, hyper focus, and brooding can be symptoms of ADHD, or simply coping mechanisms of a burdened mind. Here are practical tips for getting your mind back on track.

It’s natural to drag your feet in the face of a big, uncomfortable change. To stay motivated, keep the end in mind, have a plan, and take it one step at a time.

How often do you jump into problem-solving mode - only to miss the real issue? Presented with an issue or question, ask an extra question to get to the root of the matter.

Increased stability, even growth, comes from knowing what your organization excels at and investing in that core competency. Here's how one nonprofit did just that.

Many nonprofits do everything possible to keep expenses down. By investing in their operations and properly valuing their work, one nonprofit went from "surviving" to "thriving."

The pitfall of putting strategy on a pedestal: an unachievable vision, over-ambitious plan, and inflated sense of progress. Balance ambition with reality to stretch your organization - not break it.

Not every organization could survive a 90% cut to its budget. One museum is finding its way by restoring its focus on a unique mission. How clear is your

focus?

How do you build capacity to thrive when specialized expertise is too expensive? One nonprofit grew by empowering existing staff to step into new roles.

How do you activate support, even when many other organizations serve the same mission area as you? One organization found the key was filling a critical gap in their mission space.

Feeling stuck? Don’t wait so long for the perfect answer to come that you don’t turn in your test on time.

Create a healthy team by fostering connection, authentic communication, shared goals, and inclusion. You will bring out the best in your team – individually and collectively.

Describe what you do in a way that connects with your audience by using their language, getting specific, and including the "why" behind your work.

Set clear goals before planning initiatives to have the most impact on your organization’s mission. Those goals will have significant influence on how you approach your plans.

"Open doors" are a passive approach to feedback. Instead, proactively gather honest input from your team – and act on it – to build trust, increase engagement, and improve results.

Strategies solve many problems. But not all. Be careful not to apply that solution when the challenge is really a specific issue, a program decision, or a functional gap.

Leaders who constantly jump in to solve problems undermine team growth and burn themselves out. True leadership impact comes from strategic restraint that empowers others.