Why Is Ethical Leadership Important In Nonprofits?
“Emergent strategy is how we intentionally change in ways that grow our capacity to embody the just and liberated world we long for.” – Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown
Nonprofit organizations don’t materialize out of thin air. They’re created for very specific reasons: someone saw a need for change and decided to take action. Whether your particular nonprofit is centered upon helping individuals or the planet as a whole, your goal is ultimately to make the world a better place in some capacity. However, while you’re furthering your cause, don’t forget about the important people working alongside you.
Ethical leadership is critical to the success of your nonprofit. Yes, your mission is at the forefront of all you do, but remember that your coworkers and employees are the ones helping you push ahead. If you’re not treating them fairly, your operation may fall apart at the seams. Passion for the nonprofit’s cause will only take your employees so far. If the work environment is unwelcoming, you’ll see a quick dip in employee efficiency and morale, as well as a good deal of turnover.
Make ethics a priority. If you show that making honest, honorable choices always takes precedence, even when they may not be the easiest or least expensive options, you’ll create a workplace where ethical behavior is expected as the norm.
Lead by example. Basically, be a good person, in and out of work. The Golden Rule applies here: treat others as you wish to be treated.
Be honest with your staff. Transparency fosters trust; let your employees know what’s going on with your nonprofit, and they’ll feel more connected to the work and be more prepared to take on challenges. Plus, they might have a useful new perspective on solutions.
Respect everyone’s contributions. Your employees will have varying strengths and weaknesses, but respect the unique aspects they bring to your team. Fostering a teamwork-based culture will help your staff play off one another more openly and effectively.
Keep communication lines open. You never know who’ll have the next big idea – or who will tweak someone else’s plan and perfect it. Make sure employees can speak their minds about important matters and are free to bring new ideas to the table. Be clear that your door is open; staff shouldn’t be afraid to come to you with concerns, either.
Don’t tolerate ethical violations. Showing that unjust or improper behavior is not acceptable proves your dedication to an ethical atmosphere. Address ethical violations swiftly and strongly, and when possible, let your staff know what happened, how it should have been handled, and how it can be avoided in the future.
Encourage further ethical leadership. As your nonprofit grows, other leaders will emerge from your staff. Train them to continue a culture of honesty and humanity, and your ethical approach will remain ingrained in your nonprofit. Acknowledge and reward your employees when you see them taking initiative and making principled choices.
Use these guidelines to help lead your nonprofit to success in an open and honest manner. If you need more help or clarity, reach out to us – we’re always happy to help guide you in an ethical direction!
At Mockingbird Analytics we believe in the power of nonprofits and social good organization to create exponential impact in our communities. Contact us to help you build the infrastructure needed to be able to tell your story to the world.
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There are many MANY social entrepreneurs taking root in today’s startup culture. For those out there looking for tax-exempt status and to file as a 501(c)(3) here is our Beginning Guide to Starting a Nonprofit.