Most orgs plan carefully for how people join the boardā¦ but not for how they leave. I know, I know -- I'm a broken record on this topic. In this video below, I offer a few practical action steps / practices for offboarding board members with intention and careābecause how someone leaves matters just as much as how they served. Offboarding is the often-ignored half of board culture, but a thoughtful exit process supports continuity, legacy, and dignity. It's not super easy to SEE this in your...
6 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
The headlines focused on Omaha electing its first Black mayor. But buried in the coverage was a big lesson in transition planning that every nonprofit should study. When John Ewing Jr. defeated a three-term incumbent mayor, he faced a choice: bring in his own team or work with what he inherited. He chose continuity. He retained every department head and senior staffer except one who was already retiring. His explanation cuts to the heart of succession planning: "What I've found in transitions...
8 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hello there, Today I'm getting a little personal and sharing what drives my work with Leaving Well and the principles that guide how I show up for organizations and leaders in transition. I didn't set out to become an expert in how people leave organizations. But after watching too many brilliant leaders exit jobs broken, bitter, and burned out ā and seeing the organizational damage left in their wake ā I knew someone needed to name what we were all experiencing. At its core, my work is about...
10 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
If youāve ever asked me āWhat should I read next?ā or we've chatted ad nauseam over culture change or leadership transitions together ā¦ then this is for you. šæ Iāve gathered some of my most beloved and well-worn book recommendations into one place: my Bookshop.org collection. Youāll find: š reads that support culture care + community building š guides for relational leadership and Leaving Well š card decks for intuition, integration, and grounding Every purchase supports independent...
15 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Myth No. 1: Interims have a disadvantage because you're not "from here". I hear it all of the time: You're not from here, so how would you form relationships? How much do you know about our specific mission and community? In my opinion, being an outsider isn't a limitationāit's actually where the value begins. Fresh eyes from an interim leader surface opportunities and address challenges that have become normalized within your culture. Not only that, but the best interim leaders also function...
18 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
We've shared before about the Anxious Event Horizonāthe idea of that ethereal boundary where the uncertain and unknown meets human apprehension. It felt timely to share again, because my inbox is full of worried folks, and this current workplace landscape isn't getting any better anytime soon. Our brains like certainty and predictability because our brains want to conserve energy and avoid paināeven āgoodā pain like growth and new beginnings. So when weāre faced with an uncertain future,...
24 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
In her 2023 article in The Cut, Alison Green shared ten tips for folks to enact before putting in their two weeksā notice. Alisonās advice focuses on the employeeās safety and security in navigating their departure, and this advice is important and very needed. From a Leaving Well perspective, though, I had some advice of my own to add to a few of her suggestions. Suggestions likeā¦ Checking in with your values leading up to your resignation Providing a knowledge transfer document to help...
29 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
If your fiscal year is wrapping up June 30, you're likely looking at those final budget allocations. If you've been putting off succession planning, board development, or creating that sabbatical policy you know you need, now's the time to act. These aren't nice-to-havesāthey're strategic investments that protect your organization's future. I help nonprofits build leadership continuity before they need it. Whether you're planning your own transition, strengthening your board's governance...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
"Norman doesn't have an exit strategy. We just take one day at a time." This quote from the Netflix documentary "Norman's Rare Guitars" captures the dangerous complacency I witness constantly in nonprofit leadership transitions. Norm Harris built a world-renowned guitar shop over 50 years. Musicians like Lenny Kravitz and Joe Bonamassa frequent his store. His reputation for honesty and expertise is unparalleled. Yet when it comes to succession, there's nothing but wishful thinking. Norm...
about 1 month agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read