Creating the Conditions for Success

“The grown-ups in the building need to feel they can succeed.”

When my husband, Steven LaFemina, started his career as a middle school teacher and administrator, this became one of his most important learnings about how schools run well—and a mantra that has guided his work with educators ever since.

Teaching—like nonprofit work—is inherently challenging. Helping humans and society learn, grow, and find a new way of operating takes skill, compassion, and commitment.

The Role of Culture in Success

Our teams can plan and prepare for challenges, because challenges are part of the nature of the work.

What they can’t always prepare for is how organizational culture, norms, and leadership might unintentionally create barriers or compound stress.

And that’s where leadership matters most.

As leaders, it’s within our power to reduce those barriers and lead change that makes it easier for our people to succeed.

Focusing on What Matters

That’s the theme of this month’s issue of Choose One Thing, our monthly newsletter, which goes out to subscribers next week.

If you’d like to receive it, you can sign up here.

Join the Conversation

What helps you feel like you can succeed at work—and what gets in the way?

👉 To see more reflections and share your perspective, you can join the conversation on LinkedIn here.

I’m Veronica LaFemina. I help senior executives at established nonprofits create strategic clarity and lead change well.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash