Do you really need step by step directions to be an effective leader?

What a joy to speak with Penn Sheppard from Girls Inc. Driven by passion, Penn has led girl-centered nonprofit work for 40 years. In our interview, she shares her core philosophies that have kept her motivated and making an impact over time. She also discusses the key to navigating the toughest challenge she’s faced: navigating change.

There are four key actions you can take right now to boost the quality of your virtual meetings. Check them out here!

We all need new ideas, new connections and new energy to lead us into this next year. Reignite your interest in other programs and people by actively connecting to others in out-of-school time. Your professional network will offer you support and connection when the going gets tough… and it’s been tough! So, now’s a good time to gather together to build, heal and connect.

As a leader in the field, you may already be doing these things. If you’re not, try them. If you are, consider how you could share these steps with staff on your team. Help them grow their professional networks.

Over the past 18 months, everyone has become more comfortable online. People who formerly preferred conference calls and didn’t own a webcam became adept at seeing themselves on camera and even using emoji reactions. Let’s build upon that progress and improve your meeting facilitation so every virtual participant feels like your online meetings are a good use of time.

Just like us, there are staff who want the certificate and most will log the seat time if it’s required. But, if we’re truly trying to find ways to motivate participation—and learning—extrinsic consequences and rewards are not the answer.

As you prepare to enter a new season of programming, you can lead the program everyone wants to be part of. You can lead the program where staff and students flourish. To do it, you start with yourself.

Designing online learning is not easy but it’s also not hard. Check out these clear tips on how to get started for yourself. AND take our quiz to find out your own Online PD SuperPower!

You’ve made it to the top of the mountain this year. Now as you prepare to offer in-person youth programming post-pandemic, don’t miss the opportunities to document what you’ve learned and prepare to initiate better programming.

As schools and programs embark on the varied Fall scenarios, I’ve fallen in step with other colleagues saying, “If we just had a little more information, we could at least make a plan.” In this post, we think about how navigating these unsettling times is like a dance.

Our hiring processes have to account for a number of different factors. Since many of us who have supervised OST programs received little or no training in effective staff recruitment, we wanted to share a few practices and principles that we’ve found to be effective for hiring staff who have the necessary skills and mindset for meeting the needs of the young people and families we serve.

Some organizations are going through another round of layoffs. People are on edge. No one feels like their best self right now. As a leader, how do you keep your team going? How do you buoy their spirits? How do you continue to navigate these rocky waters—remotely? Here are some ideas.