Nonprofit Leadership as a Process, Not a Position

A great definition of leadership comes from the Art of Leading and indicates that leadership is a process, not a particular position within an organization. We talk a lot here about leadership through becoming a director at a nonprofit, but we also have to realize that you can help effect social change through other means. Like Janean Brown says, people "can become more involved by realizing that being 'involved' in the nonprofit sector is not equivalent to working in the sector...It is donating time and talents as well." Indeed the Art of Leading asserts that leadership is a process (not a position) whereby an individual works through a series of iterative stages by:

Stage 1

• creating a vision,
  
• establishing an objective and set of goals,
  
• setting direction,

Stage 2

• and following through by intentionally seeking to influence followers
  (both established and potential)


• to perform the various tasks needed to realize the vision,
  
• to their full potential,


• for as long as possible,

Stage 3

• until the vision and goals are realized.

So what does this mean for emerging nonprofit leaders? Even if you are not in a leadership position, you can influence change on the issues that matter to you. The Art of Leading definition doesn't say anything about hierarchy or job descriptions. We can lead, given these three stages of the process, from within whatever our roles may be to help impact a larger cause through our own personal vision for change. Many nonprofit organizations have inadequate leadership because they lack vision, which distiguishes a leader from a follower. But even if you are a volunteer or board member or administrative assistant, you can let your personal vision for social change permeate your work so that others are motivated to work as hard as you do to fulfill your nonprofit's mission.

My grandmother raised me in the church, so I'm thinking now of the spiritual, "This Little Light of Mine". You know how it goes:

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.

It's important that we set the example from wherever we are in our nonprofit journey by letting our light shine so bright that others want to come along for the ride. We must first lead from within our personal vision, before we can expect others to follow. How are you letting your light shine, regardless of your position?