A dynamic business landscape requires leaders to have competencies that help them overcome challenges. This can mean possessing the usual characteristics people associate with leadership, like strength and mental fortitude, but having a range of different qualities and skills can help a leader become truly effective.
Given the number of obstacles nonprofits face, developing the right competencies is of utmost importance. To help leaders narrow down their options, 14 Forbes Nonprofit Council members share one underrated quality or skill every leader should cultivate and why each is critical in nonprofit organizations today.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.1. Adaptability
In today's rapidly changing business landscape, one underrated quality that leaders must cultivate and exhibit is adaptability. This involves being open-minded, embracing change and being able to quickly pivot and adjust to new situations and challenges. Furthermore, by modeling adaptability and encouraging it within their teams, leaders can foster a culture of resilience. - Leonard Freeman, Oregon Tilth
2. An Open Mind
As a leader, I expect and invite change. Whether change is expected or not, having an open mind at all times is a quality I strive to exhibit. With an open mind, I am able to embrace the ideas and perceptions of others. I have found that weathering change is better when I ask others to lead. A good team can help navigate change when their leader is open to hearing their ideas and encouraging them to share. - Duana Patton, Ohio District 5 Area Agency On Aging Inc
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3. Humility
Humility is a trait that is needed now more than ever. It takes humility to ask for help. It takes humility to receive critical and constructive feedback. It takes humility to admit that you don't have all the answers. When you cultivate and exhibit humility, you set yourself up for success to have the support you’ll need to weather any changes. - Nicole Suydam, Goodwill of Orange County
4. Servant Leadership
Servant leadership is important in today's environment. Servant leaders are altruistic, engaging others in decision-making processes while paying attention to and understanding their needs. Those with a servant leader mindset are strategic thinkers, fostering a sense of community while empowering people. They are committed to the development of those around them, in turn, benefitting the organization. - Jaime Boldt, Globe Theatre
5. Empathy
It’s critical for leaders to truly have empathy. While it’s important to be logical, data-driven and business-oriented, it’s equally, if not more, important to have empathy to understand the motivations, fears and concerns of the people around you. Empathy instills care. Leading with care and respect lifts people up, builds trust and rapport and lays the foundation to weather change together. - Neha Gill, Apna Ghar, Inc. (Our Home)
6. Curiosity
Curiosity comes to mind immediately. This includes being curious of other opinions, being curious of other approaches, being curious of "what-ifs" and being curious and prepared for being wrong. This approach invites diverse opinions and voices in the system, creating a sense of belonging and inclusion. Ultimately, the outcome is greater buy-in for a decision and distributed accountability for the results. - Magdalena Nowicka Mook, ICF (International Coaching Federation)
7. An Understanding Of Business Development
Leaders must understand the goals of the for-profit world and know how to connect the nonprofit’s mission to corporate metrics. They will then be able to frame their value-add in a way that fits into the business. Honing the underrated skill of business development will empower nonprofit leaders to generate revenue that will cover operations costs, allowing for donations to exclusively go toward the nonprofit’s mission. - Linda Goler Blount, Black Women’s Health Imperative
8. Active Listening
Be an active listener. At my institution, I hold listening tours where I meet with individual departments as a unit to discuss institutional priorities. The insights gained during these conversations assist in refining our processes to be more efficient, help evaluate current initiatives and celebrate our successes. - Daniel A Wubah, Millersville University
9. Courage
Leaders must communicate openly and transparently in today's business landscape, which takes courage. Courage isn't always easy to muster in our “cancel culture” as it requires calculated risk-taking. It's also a trait that is honed over time. It's courage, however, that will allow you to take action when necessary and hold yourself and others accountable. - Suzanne Ogle, Southern Gas Association
10. Compassion
Compassion is often overlooked and labeled as "soft." Showing compassion to a staff member who is experiencing a life-altering event demonstrates that you care about your staff. It humanizes the business and can bring the entire team together in a difficult situation or in a changing business environment. Showing compassion is not weak or soft; it's a demonstration of strength. - Kimberly Lewis, Goodwill Industries of East Texas, Inc.
11. Vulnerability
Vulnerability can be a superpower. It allows you to ask for help when you need it, identify places where you need to grow and create trust with others. Too often, leaders think we need to "know it all" but the truth is quite the opposite. My greatest mentors and leaders I have worked for have all created trust, increased buy-in and gotten smarter because they ask for help and lean on others. - Erin Mote, InnovateEDU
12. The Ability To Thrive With Discomfort
One underrated skill is the ability to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Disruption is not going away, and some predict it will only get more dynamic in coming years. Thrive on the chaos and the opportunity disruption presents. Leaders who can demonstrate their ability to adapt and be nimble will attract donors and sponsors who recognize this leadership style as sustainable. In the words of Ziglar, "Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes." - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation
13. Agility
Agile leaders who can pivot quickly in response to new information or shifting circumstances are better equipped to navigate an ever-changing business landscape. Agility allows leaders to be flexible, decisive and comfortable taking calculated risks. - Kenneth Deans, Health Sciences South Carolina
14. Gratitude
Being gracious and humble ensures there is a reminder to continually check your own biases in your approach. It allows for an openness to any and all problem-solving, which gives room for innovation and creativity. Gratitude is my cornerstone. - Deidre Lind, Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles
