Mission-Driven Leadership (Part I)
Over the 30 years I’ve spent in the charitable and nonprofit sectors, I believe I’ve uncovered a truly unique kind of leader and leadership. Not just leaders with a few distinguishing characteristics, but leaders of a fundamentally different species.
I’ve been blessed to observe and learn from more than a dozen of these kind of leaders, and each has set themself apart from any other leaders I’ve known. These leaders have included:
Passionate nonprofit executives
Wise board members
Selfless volunteers
Disproportionately generous donors
In describing these kinds of leaders to others, the best label I’ve been able to muster is:
Mission-Driven Leaders
They’re the kinds of leaders who face highly complex societal problems and can immediately see solutions. The kinds who pour themselves out for those in need without concern for recompense. The kinds who can attract others to a cause and rally them to superhuman action.
Might you be one of these kinds of leaders? And if not, is it possible you could become one?
In studying Mission-Driven Leadership, I’ve found it’s often easier to describe what it is NOT than what it is.
#1 Mission-Driven Leadership is NOT Power-Driven Leadership
Mission-driven leaders share any power and authority they may have with others (boards, funders, volunteers, members, etc.) and must be able to achieve results through consensus-building and distributed decision-making.
In my first nonprofit CEO role, I reported to a board of 21 influential community leaders, served more than 600 organizational members, and was funded by more than 100 individuals and institutions. While I wouldn’t say I achieved the level of true Mission-Driven Leader, I quickly learned that it was largely our mission, not my position or power, that bound these many diverse stakeholders together in a common cause.
#2 Mission-Driven Leadership is NOT Wealth-Driven Leadership
Mission-driven leaders most often sacrifice their true earning potential (if they take any compensation at all), working for below-market compensation, foregoing raises, and eschewing retirement plans.
My wife is one of these kinds of leaders, and she launched and led a full-fledged and highly successful charitable initiative for 10 years at a glorious annual salary of $0, not because our family was well-off, but because she was singularly passionate about serving foster and adoptive kids and families.
It was that mission, not a paycheck, that fueled her passion and drew so many others to rally around her cause.
#3 Mission-Driven Leadership is NOT Fame-Driven Leadership
Quick, name the three most famous nonprofit executives you know! Mission-driven leaders, despite holding fancy titles like “Executive Director” and “Chairman of the Board” work largely behind the scenes and almost never grace the covers of magazines or become social media influencers.
I thought I had reached the pinnacle of nonprofit fame when our local CBS TV affiliate invited me down for an on-air segment to talk about a big program we were launching, only to find out that I would be on-air in the “prime” 5:45am Early Show slot for a total of 37 seconds.
It was the chance to spread the word about our mission that got me out of bed that morning and through a stressful live TV interview, even if only to reach a few dozen viewers.
So if mission-driven leaders aren’t characterized by power, wealth, or fame, what is it that distinguishes them?
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article, where we’ll unveil the seven distinguishing characteristics that set Mission-Driven Leaders apart, and give you access to our free online Mission-Driven Leadership Assessment!