A 360° Perspective on Successful Nonprofit Management
As a nonprofit professional, consultant, educator, and perpetual student of nonprofit practices, my perspective involves a deep comprehension of and an appreciation for all the elements of nurturing, managing, and sustaining an organization.
If working in the nonprofit sector were only as straightforward as having an idea, creating a vision and a mission, then building an organization to support that mission... But establishing and managing nonprofit organizations is far more complex and far less linear than that! The nonprofit sector is under tremendous pressure to perform successfully due to the extraordinary circumstances of the last three years (COVID, social upheaval and reckonings, global political shifts and economic uncertainties). The idea of “success” means not only having a focus and clarity around the organization's mission and vision, but also having a savviness around managing resources and a real understanding about sustaining an inclusive and equitable organizational culture.
Let me first start by defining what a 360 Degree Perspective means to me. This perspective requires a vision and a clearly defined plan for executing that vision. In addition, you must be an empathetic leader with an ability to “connect the dots” of how the ecosystems within an organization are related to one another. Think about the visual of sitting on top of an organization and being able to see the intersections and relational dynamics of all the activities taking place within that organization. Possessing clarity in understanding the relationship between people, work, mission, culture, and resources is a vital element of managing from a 360 Degree Perspective. This perspective on leadership and management does not have to be carried by a single individual within the organization (while I believe that is possible, it is not advisable for long term institutional sustainability); it should be a perspective that is shared as a creation of the management culture among the leadership and management teams, including the board of directors.
How does an organization gain this perspective? Well I wish there was an easy answer to this question, but there really is not. The lived experiences and learnings of leadership are important to acknowledge and support. Organizations must have a culture that encourages and celebrates the experiences of a diverse leadership. Organizations must also embrace creating “brave spaces” for all employees. By brave space I mean the ability to have difficult conversations from a place of respect at the individual and institutional level. This is easier said than done and can oftentimes come across as a performative measure by organizations (i.e., “Let’s just check the boxes and call it a day”). You cannot mandate this perspective in a series of workshops or written policies through human resources.
So what does this perspective enable you to do as nonprofit leaders and managers? I believe when organizations are guided by this perspective the institution can achieve an ability to “level up” its work, especially when faced with times of uncertainty or crises. Institutions can plan strategy and proactively meet their objectives with clarity and consistency, while recognizing the importance of how many of the issues of the day are interrelated and intersectional. The 360 Degree Perspective will also provide an opportunity for organizations to build relevant and authentic cultures that reflect equity and inclusiveness. Creating equity and inclusiveness into the DNA of an organization will ensure its ability to survive and thrive, especially in times of uncertainty and unrest.
The 360 Degree Perspective is not a new way of thinking about organizational management; however, it is not a perspective that many in the nonprofit sector practice, except when discussing a 360 degree evaluation process (which is a very specific technique).
In future blogs, I will explore concrete examples of leadership leading with a 360 Degree Perspective and the benefits to organizational culture. I will also explore how the 360 Degree Perspective of organizational management may ensure the long term sustainability of an institution.