LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Executive Coaching
Being a true leader is not just a line in a job description – it’s a critically important combination of talents, skills, knowledge and understanding that require reflection, focus and time to develop. Amid all the pressures and demands buffeting nonprofits these days, it can be hard for a leader to take the time to step back and get the necessary perspective on one’s own, even for natural leaders.
For many nonprofit executives, an ESC coach is a great resource. Retaining an ESC coach enables an organizational leader to look objectively at the big picture, organize and accomplish priorities, and build on both the skills they have and the ones they need. ESC’s coaches receive intensive training and continuing education, drawing on best practices from practitioners all around the country.
The benefits from working with an ESC coach include the following:
- Clarifying goals and priorities to make the most of time, strengths and opportunities
- Improving efficiency, effectiveness and relationships with staff and board
- Balancing the never-ending professional demands with personal career goals and organizational priorities
- Having a confidential ear to help maintain focus and reinvigorate energy and enthusiasm
- Gaining further insights and ideas from a highly experienced, successful leader who has mastered many of the same situations and issues
Team Coaching
Successful organizations are run by effective and efficient teams that share an understanding of their roles, know what they need to accomplish, communicate well and complete objectives on schedule.
The term “team” often refers primarily to “staff”, whether within a whole organization or a single department. At other times, teams can include board/staff teams, staff/volunteer teams, or even those across organizations. However a team is defined, all too often they do not work as effectively or efficiently as they could.
Working with ESC coaches, teams gain advice, insights and skills for developing a common vision and working together productively to accomplish it. The aspects of ESC Team Coaching are:
- Reviewing the team’s purpose and how the team is contributing to the mission
- Developing a common vision/understanding for fulfilling the purpose, and clarifying individual roles and responsibilities
- Assessing and revisiting policies, processes and logistics
- Establishing communications and rules that account for differing work styles and varying individual needs within the needs of the overall team
- Improving each individual member’s contributions through one-on-one coaching, facilitation conversations, and periodic reviews
Emergency Leadership Planning
Every nonprofit or public agency depends on sound and stable leadership, making unplanned leadership absences traumatic. Having a ready-to-go emergency plan for leadership continuity is vital insurance for any organization, no matter how large or small.
Whether a sudden, unanticipated departure is permanent or temporary, it will mean significant and immediate challenges. This is all the more true in smaller organizations, where a single executive leader may wear a vast array of hats. It’s in these emergency moments that unprepared organizations have to cope with urgent questions that range from the micro (who will sign paychecks or has keys to the office?) to the macro (who will ensure we can serve our clients, or can manage our operations or lead our staff?).
Knowing that there is a plan would be a huge relief to board and staff, even if it might never be needed. And an ESC “Emergency Leadership Kit” is just such a resource. The E-L-K is specifically tailored to an organization’s unique situation and needs, providing a step-by-step, detailed inventory of knowledge, procedures and resources to ensure that essential activities and responsibilities are documented. Having an E-L-K means that any organization faced with a sudden leadership departure can reassure its clients, staff, board and funders that their operations are stable. An ESC consulting team guides the creation of an E-L-K, which includes:
- Collecting and organizing vital documents, policies and procedures, ranging from governance matters to financial, human resources, program and facilities information
- Defining and assigning vital responsibilities among staff and/or board, based on specific needs and factors such as anticipated period of leadership absence
- Crafting communications messaging and materials to inform stakeholders and the media, as may be required
- Providing peace-of-mind that if/when the unexpected happens the organization will be ready to cope with the challenges while continuing to fulfill its mission and serve its constituents
Leadership Roundtables
For many nonprofit executives it can be lonely at the top. Especially today, when pressures are escalating and resources shrinking, the stress on key leaders is monumental and the opportunities to refresh and recharge limited. And chances to understand how peers in other organizations are coping and what they are learning are almost nonexistent.
Taking best practices from peer-learning research and programs nationwide, ESC has created the Leadership Roundtables, a program of uniquely tailored peer-learning sessions designed to provide these vital leaders with exactly this kind of support.
In each Roundtable cycle, a group of 12-16 nonprofit leaders come together for eight monthly sessions to share their experiences, questions and ideas for tackling challenges and making the most of change. Designed for leaders from all sizes of nonprofits, the Roundtables are primarily intended for executive directors. However, from time to time ESC will also hold Roundtables geared to certain sectors or other key staff, such as fundraising leaders. ESC’s expert facilitators guide this confidential peer-learning and sharing experience, which gives participants a new community of colleagues who help one another learn and grow, celebrating successes and sharing in resolving challenges as well. The Roundtables currently run at least twice per year – contact us for the schedule of upcoming session(s). 