Fundraising Leadership ™

Executive Coaching, Leadership Training, and Personal Development

Listening: An Essential Leadership Quality

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deep-listeningRecently, I was asked if it was possible to build the capacity for empathy and strengthen one’s emotional intelligence (EIQ). The short answer is–Yes!

The longer answer is a bit more nuanced. Many leaders today are conditioned by the educational industrial complex and other societal forces to favor left-brain, rational, analytical thinking. While that approach is useful, such conditioning tends to atrophy the right-brain capacity for empathy and EIQ. And, what we know now is that successful organizations in the modern economy require leaders to access their rational/analytical, AND emotional capabilities.
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4 Easy-to-Accomplish Resolutions

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sunset-joy-1361279-640x480 (1)We all dream, and it’s fun to dream big. What are your dreams? Write them down on a piece of paper and read them over as many times as you want, to really make them yours. We all set big goals for ourselves, to give more meaning to our lives. I wonder: do we actually achieve those big goals, or do we abandon them along the way? If you’re one of those people who leave their goals half-finished, or never even start them, I can imagine you feel frustrated, tired and fed up. What would it be like to celebrate each time you accomplished one of those easy-to-achieve resolutions? How would you feel? I suggest you put pen to paper and make a commitment to yourself to achieve the 4 easy-to-accomplish resolutions listed below:
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7 Excuses to Communicate With your Donors

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people-1458971-640x480Getting a new donor can take years; it also takes a lot of patience, persistence and resilience to keep smiling when obstacles and setbacks appear along the way.

The more confident you are, the more likely you are to clinch a deal that is a win-win for both sides. Gaining confidence means taking the time and finding a lot of reasons to connect and to create and build the relationship, co-creating a shared vision.
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7 Keys to Getting donors to Yes

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letters-1-yes-1188348-639x426You’ve been after a key donor for two years now. You’ve called more than 50 times and have had over 10 meetings with them, you’ve sent them over 100 emails, you’ve prepared and adapted the proposal several times, sent birthday wishes every year, and have done them a big favor. But the donor still says no. What does that feel like? Obviously, getting donors to Yes is the goal of any fundraiser.

Use the 7 keys for getting donors past “No” and to the “Yes”

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Reflect Before Saying Yes

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Recently I was preparing to facilitate a strategic planning session for a not-for-profit board. This had me reflecting on my past board experiences, which have ranged from a large international association to a local chapter.

As diverse as these experiences can be, one commonality remains. To be an effective board member you need to devote a significant amount of time and energy. And you need to decide where to best place your attention. The same is true in the workplace.

This is where a simple and powerful coaching concept can help: Saying Yes, Saying No.

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