I've been seeing a trend lately — an increasing number of people are eager to enhance their skills. We see it in the corporate world all the time, companies advertising their yearly professional development stipends as a benefit of being employed.
However, in today's fast-paced philanthropic landscape, opportunities for growth and advancement can often feel scarce. But, the reality is that numerous avenues for professional development exist — you just need to know where to look. From online courses to employer-supported programs, let's talk about how to build professional development for nonprofit leaders in 5 steps.
1. Professional Development for Nonprofit Leaders Starts with Identifying Your Goals and Skills Gaps
The first step in professional development for nonprofit leaders is understanding where you want to go and what skills you need to get there. Start by assessing your current skills and identifying gaps that might be hindering your progress. Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) can provide valuable insights.
Best Practices:
Request a progress review with your supervisor to discuss your strengths and areas for improvement. They're usually open to these conversations, which help you achieve better results for the company. Regular check-ins also foster good relationships and provide opportunities to engage with their network.
Check-in with your colleagues to discuss team efforts and responsibilities. These conversations help ensure everyone is aligned, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen collaborative relationships within the team.
Learning from each other is what builds a cohesive team environment. Don't be afraid to ask your colleagues how you're doing and gaps you can improve on. If you feel uncomfortable asking these things, it's time to build a better working relationship (Shutterstock, 2024)!
2. Leverage Online Learning Platforms
Once you have a clear understanding of your development needs, tap into the wealth of resources available online. Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer a vast array of courses across various fields. Whether you're looking to improve your technical skills, learn a new language, or enhance your leadership abilities, these platforms provide flexible and affordable options.
One of my favorite Udemy courses is "Feedback is Fuel." This course is not only free, but over 29,000 people have taken it with a 4.4/5 star satisfaction rate. Learning to provide and receive feedback is essential to maximizing your collaborative efforts and impact. I highly recommend it, even if you already practice some of the skills, you can always learn more.
Best Practices:
How do you find the time to work on these courses, watch the lectures, or read the blog posts? Build in 20-30 minutes a day into your work schedule! Even better, there are also audiobooks and podcasts on these types of skill building development you can also listen on the go!
If you wish to learn these skills at the company's expense, inquire with your supervisor about available funds for professional development. Highlight the benefits these skills would bring to your role and emphasize how this investment would be highly valuable for the company's success. Something else to note — many of these courses are free and there are tons more resources on YouTube!
Another one of my favorite courses on Udemy is "7 Scientifically Proven Steps to Increase Your Influence." Again, not only is this amazing course free with more than 28,000 4.5+/5 ratings, it is jam-packed with important information in
a digestible fashion (Udemy, 2024).
3. Seek External Organizational Support
Many organizations recognize the importance of employee development and offer resources to support it. Organizations such as Bloomerang, CauseVox, and many more offer free webinars detailing support in fundraising, brand management, and even professional development for nonprofit leaders. You have access to expert advice with the ability to ask questions at the end of webinars as well!
Furthermore, LUNEAERA also provides professional development for nonprofit leaders and their organizations. This free resource details a step-by-step process to build streamlined workflows and a highly motivated team. I highly recommend this free resource as a jump start to inventory your skillset and professional goals.
This free 15 page guide available on demand will take you step-by-step on the necessary mindset shift, re-imagined roadmaps for short-term gains and long-term success, righting the ship with human capital, exceeding KPI expectations, and building the pipeline to maximize resource efficiency. It has everything you need to maximize your efficiency in your organization and it's available NOW!
4. Network and Find Mentors
Building a network of mentors and peers can significantly accelerate your professional growth. Join industry groups, attend conferences, and participate in networking events. Platforms like LinkedIn can help you connect with professionals who share your interests and goals. A mentor can provide guidance, feedback, and support as you navigate your career path.
Best Practices:
Find your university alumni working at nonprofits or companies you admire. Alumni are usually more open to speaking to other alumni about their role, responsibilities, and connections to new opportunities. You can do this easily by searching for your university under "People" -> "Where They Studied."
Don't be afraid to email leaders in a current role you're aspiring to attain. Many of them were in your shoes now, and they will be more than happy to hop on a 15 - 30 minute coffee chat with you. Keep your initial email to them clear and concise, with some times you may be available to chat within the next 2 weeks.
5. Attend a Conference
I can't rave enough about how valuable attending conferences is. Attending a conference is an invaluable opportunity for professional development for nonprofit leaders, offering a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the immediate experience. Conferences provide a unique platform for networking, skill enhancement, knowledge acquisition, and career advancement.
Networking Opportunities
Conferences gather professionals from various sectors and responsibilities, creating an ideal environment for networking. Attendees can meet industry leaders, potential collaborators, and peers who share similar interests and challenges. These connections can lead to new partnerships, mentorship opportunities, and job prospects. Engaging in conversations with diverse professionals expands your network and fosters relationships that can be beneficial throughout your career.
Skill Enhancement
Workshops and breakout sessions at conferences are tailored to enhance specific skills relevant to attendees' fields. These sessions are often led by experts who share their knowledge and practical insights, providing hands-on experience that can be directly applied to one’s work. From learning new technologies to mastering advanced techniques in project management, the skills gained are invaluable for professional growth.
Knowledge Acquisition
Conferences are rich sources of the latest information and trends in a given industry. Keynote speeches, panel discussions, and presentations offer deep dives into current research, emerging trends, and innovative practices. You can gain a broader perspective on their field, learn about successful case studies, and discover new approaches to old problems. This knowledge can inspire new ideas and strategies and keep you on your toes at the forefront of your industries.
Career Advancement
Participating in conferences enhances your visibility and credibility within the professional community. Presenting at a conference, for example, establishes you as a thought leader and can open doors to further speaking engagements and publications. Additionally, being active in conference discussions and networking events demonstrates a commitment to professional growth, which can be appealing to current and potential employers.
Funding Sources
Professional Associations: Many professional organizations offer grants, scholarships, or travel stipends to their members to attend conferences. For example, the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance often provide such funding opportunities.
Employer Sponsorship: Employers frequently sponsor employees to attend conferences as part of their professional development programs. We discussed this briefly, but sponsorship can also be made for conferences. Remember to highlight the potential return on investment with your employers to secure funding.
Government Grants: Various government programs and grants are available to support professional development. Websites like Grants.gov list opportunities that can be used for conference attendance.
Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges sometimes provide funding for their alumni or current students to attend conferences, especially if they are presenting research. Contact your alumni Career Center for more information.
Free Conferences and Scholarships
The Nonprofit Technology Conference (NTC): Organized by NTEN, the NTC often offers scholarships for nonprofit professionals to attend, making it accessible to those with limited budgets. The 2025 date will be held in Baltimore, MD between April 16-18, 2025.
Online Conferences and Webinars: Numerous organizations, like CharityHowTo and Nonprofit Learning Lab, offer free or low-cost virtual conferences and webinars that provide similar benefits to in-person events.
What You Gain from Advancing Your Skill Sets
Advancing your skill sets has numerous benefits beyond immediate job performance improvements. It opens up new career opportunities, enhances your marketability, and increases your earning potential. By continually developing your skills, you become more adaptable and better prepared to handle changes in the job market.
Benefits of Skill Advancement:
Increased Job Security: Employers value employees who are committed to self-improvement and can adapt to new challenges.
Higher Earning Potential: Advanced skills can lead to higher salaries and better job positions.
Career Flexibility: With a diverse skill set, you can transition between different roles and industries more easily.
Enhanced Professional Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning can position you as a leader and expert in your field.
Potential to Grow Your Career into Director
With the right development plan, you can advance your career to higher leadership positions, such as a director. Achieving such a role requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the industry.
Steps to Becoming a Director:
Develop Leadership Skills: Take courses in management, team dynamics, and organizational behavior.
Gain Experience: Seek out projects or roles that give you leadership experience, even if they are outside your current job scope.
Build a Strong Network: Connect with industry leaders and mentors who can provide guidance and opportunities.
Continuously Learn: Stay updated with industry trends and continue developing your skills to remain relevant.
Obviously this is not a step-by-step recipe. Everyone's journey to directorship looks different. And maybe you're not looking to become a director — that's completely okay too! What's important is that you're taking the steps to get to where you want to be. Whether that is to become incredibly efficient in your job or gain new skills to be promoted to directorship, the best investment you can make is in yourself.
Importance of Opening as Many Doors as Possible
In an unpredictable job market, it’s important to open as many doors as possible for yourself. By building your skill set and nurturing a robust professional network, you increase your chances of finding new opportunities and staying resilient against economic fluctuations. What's even more essential in this way of thinking is the amount of knowledge you open yourself up to. Once you're able to learn new things, and possible even more efficient ways of accomplishing goals, you are maximizing your time. This is good for yourself professionally, and personally. More time means you get more headspace to either do more things you enjoy, or decompress in between tasks.
Why It Matters:
Future-Proofing Your Career: A broad skill set makes you more adaptable to changing job requirements.
More Opportunities: With a diverse range of skills, you can explore various career paths and industries.
Stronger Professional Network: A wide network can provide support, advice, and job leads during times of transition.
Increased Confidence: Knowing that you have multiple career options can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.
Your Portfolio is in Your Hands
Professional development for nonprofit leaders is an ongoing journey that requires dedication and proactive planning. By setting clear goals, leveraging online resources, seeking employer support, building a network, and utilizing free resources, you can effectively enhance your skills and advance your career. Remember, the opportunities are out there; you just need to know where to find them. Opening as many doors as possible not only prepares you for the future but also positions you for long-term success in your career.
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