Episode Summary: Ep. 218: 2024 In Review: A Heartfelt Reflection on Leadership and What Lies Ahead

Release Date: December 20, 2024

In this heartfelt and introspective episode of Nonprofits Are Messy, host Joan Gary engages in a deep conversation with Glenda Testone, CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. Together, they reflect on the tumultuous year of 2024, exploring personal transformations, leadership challenges, generational shifts within nonprofits, legislative impacts, and the unwavering importance of community and self-care. As they navigate through these multifaceted topics, both Joan and Glenda offer invaluable insights and actionable advice for nonprofit leaders gearing up for the uncertainties and opportunities that 2025 may hold.

1. Personal Reflections and Life Transitions

Glenda Testone opens the dialogue by sharing her significant professional transition: moving from a 14-year tenure as Executive Director of the LGBT Community Center of New York City to leading the Nonprofit Leadership Lab. This shift not only marks a change in organizational focus but also a move towards a more flexible, home-based work environment.

• Glenda (02:03): “Letting go of running a community center and becoming the CEO of the Nonprofit Leadership Lab has been a huge change.”

Joan Gary resonates with this transition, highlighting the similarities and differences between nonprofit and for-profit sectors. They discuss the continuity of leadership principles, such as relationship building and strategic vision, despite the sectoral change.

• Joan (03:39): “I thought of it as close to a nonprofit as a for-profit could get.”

The conversation delves into the personal benefits Glenda has experienced, including increased family time and the ability to work from home, which have enhanced her work-life balance.

• Glenda (06:05): “Having a young child, it's really incredible to be able to do so many things that I couldn't do when I was commuting and working in an office every day.”

2. Embracing Leadership Changes and Succession Planning

Both Joan and Glenda emphasize the critical nature of succession planning in nonprofit leadership. Joan reflects on her experiences with founder syndrome and the challenges of stepping back to allow for organizational growth without over-reliance on a single leader.

• Joan (07:32): “Succession planning isn't just about, I might leave in a year. It’s about making sure that your board and your staff are as strong as they can be to survive whatever might come.”

Glenda shares her personal realization of being "the glue" in her organization and the importance of empowering boards and staff to function independently of the executive director.

• Glenda (18:00): “You are like the glue that is holding everything together... what happens if the glue goes away.”

They discuss practical strategies for strengthening organizational structures to ensure resilience and continuity, highlighting the necessity of proactive planning rather than reactive measures.

3. The Generational Shift: Understanding Gen Z in Nonprofits

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the evolving dynamics as Gen Z enters the nonprofit workforce. Joan shares alarming statistics about Gen Z's mental health and job instability, stressing the need for organizations to adapt to their values and expectations.

• Joan (23:38): “Over 50% of Gen Z people have diagnosed mental illness... 77% are always looking for another job.”

Glenda counters by sharing her positive experiences with Gen Z employees, noting their idealism, hopefulness, and sustainability mindset—traits that can invigorate nonprofit missions.

• Glenda (21:26): “My Gen Z employees at the center were really the most idealistic and hopeful and wanted the best for themselves and the world.”

Together, they advocate for embracing diversity in age as part of broader DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, emphasizing mutual learning and understanding across generations.

• Joan (23:00): “DEI is about age too. You have to think about how to really get to know and learn the stories of Gen Z as much as they have to learn from you.”

4. Policy, Advocacy, and Legislative Challenges

One of the episode's focal points is the alarming decline in advocacy and lobbying within the nonprofit sector, as highlighted by recent studies.

• Glenda (24:05): “Only 31% of nonprofits reported engaging in advocacy or lobbying within the last five years, compared to 74% two decades ago.”

The duo attributes this decline to misunderstandings of lobbying laws and fear of political repercussions, urging nonprofits to reclaim their role in policy advocacy.

• Glenda (25:01): “You can have a C3 status and still advocate and educate, but a lot of nonprofits do not understand that.”

They discuss the implications of HR 9495, a contentious bill that poses threats to nonprofit tax status under vague definitions of "terrorist-supporting organizations." Joan and Glenda underscore the urgency for nonprofits to engage in policy discussions and defend their constitutional rights to advocacy.

• Glenda (28:04): “We need to do this ourselves. We need to find our people and build coalitions and not be scared.”

5. Building Community and Prioritizing Self-Care

As the conversation winds down, both Joan and Glenda highlight the paramount importance of community support and self-care for nonprofit leaders. Recognizing the loneliness inherent in executive roles, they advocate for fostering tight-knit communities where leaders can share burdens and celebrate successes together.

• Glenda (34:45): “Community is really the antidote to this moment and the antidote to so much.”

Joan echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the Nonprofit Leadership Lab was founded not just to provide resources but to create a supportive network that sustains leaders through professional and personal challenges.

• Joan (35:26): “Professional development is a form of self-care... realizing I have as much in common with someone who runs a nonprofit in New Zealand as I do with someone here on the East Coast.”

6. Looking Ahead: Preparing for 2025

In anticipating the challenges and opportunities of 2025, Joan and Glenda offer strategic advice for nonprofit leaders:

• Glenda (31:09): “We need to double down on sustainability, resilience, and self-care because it's not going to get easier.”

• Joan (32:07): “Nonprofit leaders and organizations who embrace innovation thrive.”

They encourage embracing boldness, fostering innovation within boards, and leveraging the strengths of a diverse workforce to navigate potential legislative and societal shifts.

7. Concluding Thoughts and Holiday Greetings

As the episode concludes, Joan and Glenda extend warm holiday wishes to their listeners, encouraging them to rest, recharge, and invest in their personal and professional growth as they prepare for the coming year.

• Joan (37:20): “Make sure that you are doing something for yourself... put some gas into your tank because you're going to be traveling a good distance in 2025.”

Notable Quotes:

• Glenda Testone (18:00): “You are like the glue that is holding everything together... what happens if the glue goes away.”

• Joan Gary (23:38): “Over 50% of Gen Z people have diagnosed mental illness... 77% are always looking for another job.”

• Glenda Testone (28:04): “We need to do this ourselves. We need to find our people and build coalitions and not be scared.”

• Joan Gary (35:26): “Professional development is a form of self-care... realizing I have as much in common with someone who runs a nonprofit in New Zealand as I do with someone here on the East Coast.”

Final Thoughts:

This episode serves as both a reflective retrospective on the past year and a strategic roadmap for the future. Joan and Glenda's candid discussion underscores the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit leadership, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, and community as cornerstones for success. As 2025 looms on the horizon, nonprofit leaders are encouraged to embrace change, advocate boldly, and cultivate supportive networks to navigate the complexities ahead.

For more resources and to join the Nonprofit Leadership Lab, visit nonprofitleadershiplab.com.