Feeling like an outsider as a leader in your work? There is likely a reason for that. And also a solution.

These small shifts will transform your next meeting with community partners, funders and staff.

You’ve got this. Check out the list on how to make your next year awesome.

Part of our Smart Nonprofit Leaders interview series, I had a lovely conversation with Carlos Santini, an energetic colleague in the afterschool and youth development field. In his leadership, Carlos draws upon lessons from his mentor and is now embracing his role as a way to share his own experiences with the field.

Grab this printable poster that reminds you of a few of your very own superpowers.

In his leadership, Jason Whyte combines heartfelt commitment with a mindset toward innovation—always asking: how can we do this better? Jason is the Director of Partnership Strategy at the Latino Coalition for Community Leadership and has recently launched the National Reentry Workforce Collaborative the only national organization founded by workforce practitioners committed to advancing socio-economic mobility for people impacted by the justice system.

I had such an inspiring and enjoyable conversation with Karen Peterson from the National Girls Collaborative Project. As a smart nonprofit leader, Karen listens closely to her team and has taken flexibility to the next level. She finds ways to ensure each and every person has what they need to be successful with their work. And it pays off! The NGCP team supports networks of networks across the country with the same care and attention they experience at the national office.

When you build trust within your team or network, you reinforce your organization’s real value, build credibility and motivate individuals to remain engaged. But, as a nonprofit leader, how do you *actually* build that trust across a broad reaching staff or network of members? Do you really need to do trust falls?

If you’re looking for innovation, new ideas, a burst of creativity, here’s a simple script to get you on the path.

Everyone gets stuck sometime. Use microsteps to get unstuck in your leadership. Download the fillable microstep action plan template to get started.

What a fun, upbeat conversation with the “tenaciously optimistic” Meg Pitman from Boys and Girls Clubs of America. As a smart nonprofit leader, Meg rejects hierarchical team structures and has gone all-in with a flat leadership style. It has paid off! Meg and team are making a lasting impact with quality youth development initiatives.

While the culture of our organizations, our political systems, our education systems, our corporations continually place responsibility, burden and blame on individuals in positions of leadership, fulfilling your purpose on this planet is not a solo act. We were never meant to do this alone.