Nonprofit Management Worst Practices
Continuing our series on “worst practices,” below is a non-exhaustive list of mistakes to avoid in nonprofit management.
· Working harder to be liked than you do to get results. Management is not a popularity game. Lead with integrity and skill and you’ll be respected.
· Focusing on the wrong things. Be strategic, make tough decisions, and commit to planning. Set priorities. Lurching from task to task aimlessly is not sustainable.
· Failing to create strong systems so critical functions do not fall through the cracks. Get insurance, comply with laws and policies, and meet delegated tasks.
· Engaging in unhealthy or unhelpful relationships with the staff/board. Don’t gossip, discriminate, or engage in emotional or personal conflict.
· Failing to treat all employees equally according to laws, policies, and ethics
· Failing to adequately delegate, tasks, follow up on tasks, and link tasks to a larger plan or your own mission
· Not supervising and checking in with employees about job responsibilities. Ensure that every employee has a job description that is written and has been agreed to by the employee.
· Assuming that morale and motivation don’t need attention. Just because people work for a good cause doesn’t mean things are hunky dory. An employee’s morale is impacted by many things. Don’t take them for granted.
· Not learning how to read financial statements or how to follow budgets
· Assuming team and board communication will sort itself out. Every organization needs accurate, complete, and timely information shared across the organization. Regularly check in with your team to refine and improve information flow.
· Allowing meetings to start late, end late, or not have agendas or minutes
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