AAW HOW TO: Identify the Right Skills to Recruit For in a Senior Leader
In the world of not-for-profit organisations, senior leaders are the driving force behind creating positive change and impacting countless lives. These individuals play a pivotal role in guiding their organisations toward a brighter future.
But what exactly makes an exceptional senior leader in this unique sector? To unravel this question, we'll explore the seven key executive leadership skills that distinguish the best from the rest.
Let's go through the top executive leadership skills you should be looking for when recruiting a new senior leader.
1. Passion for the Cause
What sets apart this sector from others is that when recruiting for a senior leader, you’re likely to be looking for someone that is passionate about the mission of your organisation. This quality goes beyond a mere professional obligation. It represents an unwavering commitment and dedication to the organisation's mission and the cause it serves.
A leader with true passion for the cause is driven by a deep-seated belief in the organisation's goals and values, making them a steadfast advocate for change and social impact. A passionate leader has the power to ignite enthusiasm and dedication among the organisation's staff. Their infectious enthusiasm can create a ripple effect throughout the organisation.
That fosters a culture of commitment, collaboration, and genuine belief in the cause. This inspiration leads to higher engagement.
2. Vision and Strategic Thinking
A not-for-profit senior leader with a well-defined vision can provide the organisation with a clear sense of purpose and direction. Not-for-profit organisations often navigate complex and ever-evolving challenges, and a leader who is able to think strategically is able to line up its activities and initiatives with the overarching mission..
A senior leader who possesses strategic thinking skills excels in long-term planning, foreseeing potential obstacles and devising innovative solutions. They are generally not going to adopt short-term fixes. Rather, they craft well-thought-out strategies that can adapt to the changing landscape of the sector.
3. Collaboration and Relationship Building
Collaboration and relationship-building are indispensable executive leadership skills. The non-profit sector is often reliant on partnerships, donations, and the collective efforts of various stakeholders, making the ability to foster meaningful collaborations a crucial asset.
Collaboration can extend beyond the organisation itself. A leader skilled in these areas can establish partnerships with other entities, government agencies, and community organisations. These partnerships can result in shared resources, knowledge, and amplified efforts, ultimately increasing the organisation's reach and effectiveness in achieving its mission.
4. Risk Management
A senior leader with strong risk management skills is proactive in anticipating potential pitfalls. They can conduct thorough risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities within the organisation's operations, finances, and programs.
By understanding these weak spots, they can develop strategies to lessen the possible impact on the organisation's mission and sustainability.
Donor trust is another aspect where risk management plays a pivotal role. A leader adept in risk management can ensure that the organisation holds up to legal and ethical standards, which reduces the risk of reputational damage. This trust is essential to maintain donor support and credibility.
Effective risk management goes hand in hand with finance management. Not-for-profits rely on good resource allocation, and a leader skilled in risk management can make informed decisions about how to use limited resources efficiently. This includes assessing financial risks and making data-driven decisions that protect the organisation's financial health.
5. Empathy
In the not-for-profit sector, the focus is on serving and uplifting communities and individuals in need. A leader with high levels of empathy has the capacity to truly understand, connect with, and support the beneficiaries of the organisation's mission. That helps create a culture of compassion and understanding within the organisation.
One of the most compelling aspects of empathy is the ability to put oneself in the shoes of others, especially those facing challenges or hardships. A senior leader who excels in empathy can deeply comprehend the experiences, needs, and concerns of the communities and individuals they serve.
This understanding drives the leader to make decisions that prioritise the well-being and dignity of these groups, ensuring that the organisation's actions align with its mission.
Empathy is integral to program development and service delivery. A leader who understands the emotional and practical needs of beneficiaries can design programs and services that suit the real issues at hand. That leads to a bigger impact.
6. Resilience
Leaders often confront complex social challenges. They may have to navigate obstacles that can be emotionally taxing and overwhelming.
A resilient leader possesses the mental and emotional fortitude to persevere in the face of adversity and inspire the same resilience in their team. One of the defining qualities of a resilient leader is the ability to stay committed to the organisation's mission in the midst of setbacks and challenges.
Whether it's facing funding cuts, unforeseen crises, or slow progress, a leader with resilience remains steadfast in their dedication to the cause. They're continuously rallying the organisation and its stakeholders to keep moving forward.
7. Integrity
You should be looking for integrity when you're choosing a senior leader. A not-for-profit leader's unwavering commitment to ethical behaviour, transparency, and honesty is essential for maintaining the organisation's reputation and credibility.
One of the most compelling aspects of integrity is its role in building trust among stakeholders. Donors, beneficiaries, partners, and the community rely on the organisation to do what is right and ethical.
A leader with integrity consistently upholds high ethical standards. This helps to ensure that the organisation's actions align with its mission and values. It fosters a culture of trust that is critical for fundraising, collaboration, and long-term support.
Look for These Executive Leadership Skills Today
Clearly, there are a lot of executive leadership skills you should be considering when looking to recruit a new senior leader. Finding someone that ticks all the boxes, and has the relevant experience, can be a real challenge. If you’re in need of some support with your recruitment, AAW Group can help.
We have years of experience recruiting non-profit executives, senior leaders and interims in the UK. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
