eLearning: Many Non-Profits Sit On The Fence

By E. Brown

I have talked with numerous Not-For-Profit (NFP) organizations about online learning and knowledge management. Almost all are interested in the subjects and would like to distribute their content online for learning and training. Yet, they are all sitting on the fence when it comes to execution.

I was reminded of this again while at breakfast the other day. I ran into an acquaintance who knew of a VC that wanted to invest in online learning to reach an international audience. His issues were the same. All the NFP’s he had met with were waffling when it came to “doing the deal” and taking the eLearning plunge.

Why?

Getting In The Game
I witnessed this same attitude when the Web bubble started to grow in the early 90’s. Many NFP’s watched from the sidelines. I made three observations as to why this attitude prevailed:

1. They didn’t understand the technology and were intimidated by change
2. Many were simply waiting for “critical mass” before jumping onboard
3. Most had not planned on the cost of the technology infrastructure or outsourcing

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How Leadership Styles Affect Productivity

By E. Brown

There are 4 primary leadership styles, many of which you can find within most businesses or organizations around the world. These styles are: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative.

Each of the leadership styles have impact on reforming and/or creating company culture. There are short-term and long-term effects for each style. For instance, the authoritative style may produce great results in a short amount of time. However, excessive use of authority will decrease productivity in the long-term. People either get fed up and leave or fall into a malaise of hum-drum repetitive tasks without creativity and innovation.

All the while, a participative style will be unproductive in the short-term. But, the longer this style of leading, the more productive a company can become.

Many leaders never make it to a point of high productivity.

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Leadership Styles: When to Use Them

By E. Brown

In the previous article I discussed the 4 leadership types: Dictatorial, Authoritative, Consultative, and Participative. I discussed the unique traits of each one and some of the pros/cons. Finally, I covered the fact that there was no “One Style” that fit all — no silver bullets — and that a good leader recognized when to use one style over another.

A question that is often asked is, “When? When do I use one style over another?” In this article I’ll provide some tools for you to better understand when to use the dictatorial style over the consultative style, or the participative style over the authoritative style.

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Organizational Killer: Leadership Insecurity

By E. Brown

I talked with a friend yesterday who recently left a job. I was shocked and concerned to hear how the company and its culture had changed within a very short period of time. Over the course of 5 months communication went from full-disclosure to hidden agendas, from mission-minded to money-centered, from exciting to discouraging, and from encouraging to fearful and intimidating. What could bring on this hideous transformation in such a short time? This is the result of leadership insecurity.

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The Motivator: Lessons for Leaders

By E. Brown

Listed here are a series of statements that we have found resourceful when thinking about leadership. These statements apply to managers and leaders in churches and other nonprofit organizations.

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Serving Life-Changing Causes

Every day nonprofit enterprises work to impact lives in every corner of the world. Theirs is a labor of passion – a mission that demands completion – a duty that reaches beyond the flesh and touches the spirit. But these worthy organizations often face greater challenges then any profit motivated concern. Their every decision impacts the effectiveness of their mission! Each choice builds or begins to decay the opportunity for their future impact.

Sometimes nonprofit leaders need outside help; solid strategic input from qualified, objective guides who, through detached observation, can help them see all the aspects of planning and its impact on their vision. Wisdom from an expert team that will collaborate to offer innovative understanding and support for leadership choices. What is needed is a source for comprehensive solutions that is offered from a 360 degree perspective; strategic vision sharing, prudent planning, and efficient implementation that offers continuous innovation and a tangible difference.

360 Visioneering (360V) provides leaders with that solution. We are dedicated to understanding our client organization’s mission and serving it with creativity, innovation, impact, and efficiency. The visioneers of 360V bring to the team more than 50 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience. They have worked with many causes that serve both the United States and the world. 360V strengths are in the strategic disciplines that helps guide our clients towards the “true North” of their mission.

Before mission is vision – Before vision is passion
Before passion – A holy call – A divine discontent