{"id":596394,"date":"2023-08-23T16:57:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T20:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/?p=596394"},"modified":"2023-09-08T16:40:25","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T20:40:25","slug":"great-executive-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/joangarry.com\/great-executive-director\/","title":{"rendered":"The 5 Attributes of a Great Nonprofit Executive Director"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Please allow me to introduce you to my first grandchild. I\u2019ve only known this guy for 5 months and the world is just simply more beautiful and joyful because he is here.

I love him so much.\"Photo

But honestly, he would make a terrible executive director.

First, he can barely hold his head up. I know there are days when executive directors feel like that, so you do have something in common. 

But a great executive director needs to stand up straight, head held high, and feet firmly planted on the high road. My grandson just started rolling over this week and while that counts for a lot when you are 5 months old, it\u2019s just not enough for an executive director.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Second, he naps a lot. On the one hand, this does mean he engages in self-care and in this, he models that for a great executive director. But for a 5-month-old, sleeping is one of the main things and would definitely be excessive for an intense job changing the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, my grandson smiles. Like all the time. The beneficiaries of his smiles engage in a Yiddish activity called \u2018kvelling\u2019 – we are nearly weak in the knees with pleasure. Like nonprofit leaders, my grandson has serious pleaser tendencies, and he has no ability to hold those in check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that pleaser tendencies can be a kind of kryptonite for nonprofit leaders<\/a> so again, my grandson is just not up to the task. Yet<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So then why the picture and can you get to the five attributes already? Be patient, young grasshopper. I\u2019m ready to share now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My grandson\u2019s name is Ernie. And so, this is a picture of two Ernies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the name Ernie can conjure up an image of an elderly guy in a folding chair kibitzing<\/a> (another Yiddish word for you today) outside a deli, I choose instead to believe that my grandson has entered the wacky, wonderful, diverse and sweet world of the Muppets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think the Muppets are a wonderful and diverse group – a team that works together. Under the humble leadership of someone I believe would make a great executive director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kermit the Frog.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And probably, Kermit would never get the job. In my experience with organizations large and small, I have seen so many leadership transitions go awry for all sorts of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, let\u2019s focus on why a search committee would pass Kermit right by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s get the easy stuff out of the way. He\u2019s not real. OK, I just wanted you to know that I am fully aware of this. They might object to his being green (which I hear isn\u2019t easy) but that\u2019s a pretty terrible reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would also pass him by for other equally obvious reasons and you can add to this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n