Are you doing innovation wrong?

Leaders who are new to established organizations often turn to innovation as a way to do new things, make bold choices, or bring in new tech.

New can be good. Bold can be inspiring.

But here's something I've learned across 20 years of executive leadership and advising clients in high-change settings…

When we're adopting new innovations, launching new programs, or integrating new technology, there's a lot of additional, unfamiliar work to be done.

Some of that work is momentary - 6 months of implementation for a longer-term gain.

Some of that work will be ongoing, creating new ways of working. It's work that we need to learn well - and eventually do well - for us to realize the promise of that innovation, program, or technology.

If you're managing important changes like these at your organization, here's a question you need to ask (and answer).

Summer is the start of strategic planning season for many nonprofits, but too often, that planning process is anything but strategic.

Here are 5 important things to get right so your next planning process is strategic, effective, and meaningful.

This morning at the beach, my son demonstrated one of the most important actions a leader can take.

I’ve learned in 20+ years of working with and advising nonprofit, corporate, and association executives that this is a rare skill.

Nonprofit executives - is your organization struggling with sustainable growth? Here's something you may be missing.

It's the importance of "goodbye.”

Nonprofit executives - consultants and coaches are trained to sell you transformation, but here's the big problem with that.

Transformation isn't something you can be given.

It's something you have to participate in.

Nonprofit executives - want to significantly reduce your and your team's stress levels?

Here's a critical distinction you may be missing.

Here's a critical mindset shift many new executive leaders at established nonprofits need to make.

It's no longer about your individual impact as a high performer.

Now, it's about scaling meaningful impact throughout your team.

Don't get me wrong. You are brilliant. And your expertise matters.

But here’s what will make the biggest impact in developing a healthy and effective team.

It’s the last week of Q1.

A time so often accompanied by the stress of meeting financial and impact targets, the push to get those last deals signed, and less sleep than most of us need.

But this week it’s also spring break.

A time to make lifelong memories with our kids, introduce them to new experiences, and share lots of love, learning and laughs.

It might seem strange for a strategic advisor to say this, but…