Stephen H Baum Leadership

Executive Director of Not for Profit vs. CEO –  Shared Issues

OK, so not for profits do not have shareholder value or stock price as a unifying measure of success. Ok, so nobody takes a job at an NFP for the pay. But many of the challenges require similar approaches and tools.

One of my ED acquaintances– we will call her Susan — recently returned from the “mini-MBA course” for not for profits at Harvard Business School. Susan was struck by the value of thinking differently about the role of the CEO – defining what only the CEO can lead or accomplish that must get her time and attention; focusing on building “collective leadership” in the organization (both inculcating leadership behavior in individuals and creating a climate for collective accountability; establishing relationships with and enlisting support from the board and multiple external constituents; learning when to let go and when to “deep dive;” It is a much longer list.  And these are common issues for CEOs.

Another source of insight has been observing and listening to participants in the leadership excellence workshop series run for not for profits by Harvard Community Partners of CT.  The idea of setting measurable goals for a wide ranges of aspirational impacts (sometimes called vision), using a balanced scorecard to have the right match of impacts, programs, financials and people. It is a much longer list. And these, too are common issues for CEOs.

In fact not for profits and for-profits have a lot to teach each other – example, ways to motivate and align multiple factions when money is not the only factor; using alliances to get things done. It is a much longer list.

If you are interested in not for profits, I have as rich a trove of stories and lessons there as in the businesses with whose CEOs I work. Should I focus on both?

If you want to see what volunteers can do to create value for not for profits, visit:

Harvard Community Partners

That’s my view. What’s yours? If you like this post, tell others. If you disagree, tell me.