I’ve had the great privilege of being an Executive Director for eleven years.
In that time, I’ve heard it all, my darlings. The good, the bad, the ugly. The tales too terrible to tell and the nightmares that keep you up in the middle of the night. The moments of despair and the heights of triumph and joy. And through it all, it seemed like it should be easier.
When I was a two-person organization out of broom closet, I thought that it would be easier when we were bigger. Then, we got bigger and the problems morphed from capacity problems to people problems. Then I realized there is no point at which there are no problems. As they say, mo’ money, mo’ problems.
I’ve been a fundraiser, referee, coach, vomit-cleaner, teacher, advisor, and a damned unicorn in this three-ring circus of the nonprofit sector. As an Executive Director, you’re juggling fifteen balls in the air while walking a trapeze. Also, did I mention that there are hungry crocodiles in a lagoon of fire beneath you with no safety net? Definitely don’t forget the lagoon of fire. And you manage it all with grace and you look good doing it. Also, don’t forget work/life balance. Try to check in with your family once in a while before they decide to leave you for someone else who doesn’t cancel date night and fall asleep with her cheek on her keyboard. AAAND, exercise a bit, will you? You’re looking a bit pasty and doughy from all the fluorescent lighting and donor dinners.
So, what’s it all for?
Because, my darlings, if you do it right, there is no better job in the world. All the putting out of fires, jumping in front of trains, bailing out of people, solving of problems is worth it because you are doing something worthwhile, beautiful and life-changing. Life-changing for your clients, but also life-changing for yourself. And let’s be honest—you love the adrenaline and the challenge. You don’t do boring. You wouldn’t have it any other way. But let’s see if we can prevent your lovely little moth wings from getting singed from the fire a bit, shall we? I know it’s better to go out with a bang, not a whimper blah blah blah, but nervous breakdowns don’t look good on anyone.
So, I decided to start writing because after being around for eleven years, people start to think that you know things. And I’ve seen so many well-meaning people put into positions for which they were not prepared, given an oar and told to row the boat. Good luck!
Herein this blog is everything that I’ve learned from the last eleven years of being an Executive Director. I hope it’s better than the Google search I did eleven years ago: “How to be an Executive Director.” No joke. Which came right before my search for “How to fundraise” which then led to “Where in the world is it 5 o’clock and what are they drinking?”
Also, it helps to be married to a bartender. More on that later.
So, ED Ninjas, are you ready?
