The morning air crackled with innovative solutions to mutual concerns as local nonprofit leaders shared their organization’s tribulations, successes and resources.
“This is a time for sharing our challenges and successes so we can learn from each other,” said Katya Armistead, co-executive director of Leading From Within (LFW).
“Today is an opportunity to learn practical tools to manage generational differences, flexible work environments and build stronger performance cultures,” Armistead said.
The three dozen executive directors shared some common struggles they grapple with in their organizations, including how to handle generational differences and misunderstandings between staff members; how to coach supervisors to lead people who have very different professional norms and expectations; and ways to integrate younger people onto a board of directors comprised primarily of older members.
They explored where they feel the most tension on their teams: communication, capacity, flexibility, accountability and supervision.
Many reported that newer staff often bring expectations that differ from those of longer-tenured staff. So, motivating and retaining staff across generations can present a challenge.
Discussion also targeted ways of building leadership at all levels of employees; knowing when disruption is needed and what to do when it happens organically; and how to balance the focus on strategic priorities with a pivot to focus on immediate needs.
Santa Barbara understands the importance of building and supporting the leaders of their over 2,000 nonprofits.
Leading From Within and the Nonprofit Resource Network (NPRN) have played a key role in training and encouraging nonprofit directors at all levels for many years.
Ken Saxon founded LFW in 2008 as a high-quality professional development platform for nonprofit leaders.
Over the years, his vision has spawned several dynamic leadership development programs including Courage to Lead, Emerging Leaders, Katherine Harvey Fellows, Leading for Community Impact, and Growing Edge Leaders.
“Since its founding, LFW itself has evolved through several different internal leadership models,” Saxon said. “As a leadership organization, we aspire to be thoughtful and innovative on the leadership front.”
Nonprofit Resource Network of Santa Barbara County serves as the digital hub for Santa Barbara County’s social sector.
The network supports communication and information sharing by disseminating key information, resources, trainings, event opportunities, job openings, and more.
NPRN provides resources to strengthen the capacity of Santa Barbara County organizations and deepens relationships within the sector encouraging cross-organizational collaboration by surfacing and connecting organizations, businesses, foundation, individuals, agencies and consultants in a centralized and efficient way.
Thanks to the leadership of these two organizations and the thousands of dedicated nonprofit staff members, donors and supporters of nonprofits in Santa Barbara County can feel confident that their contributions are used wisely and making a significant impact in the community.