Breaking your isolation as an ED in 2023
As we watch the snow melt, and wait for the buds to appear on the trees, many of you are ready to get out, connect and break that isolation.
On the one hand, you can feel grateful to be working in a job where you know that every day you are making a difference in people’s lives.
On the other hand, many EDs who held on during the pandemic are now hitting the wall in terms of their own mental health.
The labour shortage is making recruitment all that more challenging. Budgeting processes are more complicated in the context of unprecedented inflation. The wait lists for services continue to grow. It is easy to feel overwhelmed, and like that holiday that you just took was ages ago.
A recent article in The Philanthropist highlights some of the trends to watch for non-profits in 2023. They cite a 2022 report about improving working conditions in non-profits across Canada indicating that workers in non-profits are paid nearly $20,000 less per year than the economy-wide average. How do we recruit and retain the best possible talent for our teams? How do we create cultures of care, inclusion and recognition when we are struggling with shrinking budgets and growing demands? The answers to these questions aren’t readily available. But one thing remains within reach: what you can change in your usual management approach to brace yourself for what will inevitably be another challenging year at the helm of your organization.
One of the best things that I ever did as a new ED in the sector was to seek out coaching from a caring group of other EDs who had a bit more experience than I did. We would meet every two months or so and swap stories about what we were dealing with, share tricks and tips, and lift each other’s spirits. Sure, it meant a few hours out of the office and away from grant deadlines and supervision meetings with staff, but I would always come back to the job feeling more empowered and focused. I was a better manager because of this network.
If there is one thing that you do for your own professional development this winter, I encourage you to find a peer in the field who you can meet with and share openly what challenges you are facing. If you're hard-pressed to find that person, our team is here for you. We love providing one on one coaching to EDs and leaders in the sector.
Coaching sessions are an opportunity for you to take a step back from the daily grind, look at your workflow, discuss complex situations that you’re managing and get input from someone external to the situation who has related experience. The first time that I reached out to a coach was when I was considering moving on from my ED job. I wanted to leave the organization on good terms and ensure a strong succession plan, and my coach helped make that happen.
So as you stare down your overloaded Inbox and your action plan for the months ahead, clear some space for your own wellness and professional development…and book your first coaching session!
