Are We Ready to Lead?

Echoing what our friend Elizabeth Miller eloquently outlined as challenges faced by the next generation of potential leaders of the nonprofit sector, a recently released study asked close to 6,000 “next generation leaders” for their input on this seemingly hot topic.

The study entitled, “Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out” was produced in partnership by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Meyer Foundation and Idealist.org.

Whether we like it or not, we are the focus of discussion relating to the future of this sector. What a sigh of relief then that our feedback has been gathered into this comprehensive study.

Check it out, come back to FLiP, and let us know what you think!

Comments

[Ashima Saigal]

Agreed, it's nice to have our generation involved in the conversation.

Check our our web site at http://nonprofit2020.wordpress.com

We held a conference that brought our generation (average age was 30) together to talk about what we see as the issues. We're getting ready to publish our findings as well. Please keep an eye out or subscribe to our RSS feed!

[Peace Corps Watch]

I have found that the main barrier to leadership is Congress and laws. There are bad laws that have been put into practice that have to be changed. This takes a lot of time and 'friends' that you have worked with in the past can become the opposite.

I liked the sudy and would like any advice anyone has after visiting the website.

I can be reached at:
peacecorpswatch@gmail.com

[Shana Coffer]

The Chronicle of Philanthropy delved into this topic in its May 6th issue in an article titled: "The Young and the Restless." The article actually cited the aforementioned study. To me, Regina Dull, who was profiled in the article, completely summed up what I've been feeling for a long time: "I'm under 30. Are you going to give me a shot?" The majority of us who are drawn to the nonprofit sector are idealists, but this sector isn't immune to real world biases that plague society. Sometimes we do-gooders do bad. We're quick to judge and really don't give people a chance when we should.

T is for tenacity. I think true leaders must continue to knock on doors until they are opened. They must scale over obstacles until someone with an open mind gives them the opportunity to thrive in their chosen profession. You must have a great amount of heart to do this work. Mounting school loan debt and the want to be financially secure can make life in the nonprofit sector hard.