A Few Thoughts From Our CEO, Chantal

On: Doing the Best we Can in the Moment

Last week I had the privilege to speak to nonprofiteers all over the country at Nonprofit Hub's Cause Camp 2020. After I acknowledged that 2020 is basically a dumpster fire, I took an informal poll of the audience to see how everyone was feeling. Interestingly, Cause Campers generally reported a mix of optimism and anxiety. I was shocked because in my head those two sentiments don't usually go together. But I shouldn't have been because, you know. Dumpster fire.

In the spirit of optimism, here are a few thoughts now that 2021 is around the corner:

1. If you are here, still working, still getting out of bed every day, still caring for your family and/or pets, still showing up for your friends, still contributing, you are winning at this crazy game of life. Even if it doesn't feel like it, you are winning. You win each time you refuse to succumb to stress, depression, or anxiety.
2. Everything's changed. Everything will keep changing. Don't resist. Embrace that reality. Be the water, not the rock, as one Zen quote says. The only way to manage or lead in uncertain times is to adapt, iterate, and innovate your way through. We must let let go of any notion that we understand what the next year or two are going to look like. Once you do that, you'll see opportunity pop up in the space you've created by letting go of the past.
3. Lead with heart. Even when it hurts. It may be tempting to shut down, to distance ourselves from our teams in an attempt to self-protect. But resist that urge - it will not serve you. Instead, lean in and lead with heart. Yes, it can be taxing mentally and emotionally. But that's the job - your team is your single greatest asset. They embody your mission. Success is all about how well your team functions and how well they feel supported. So show up for them. Do the work. Lead with heart.

We are all doing the best we can in this moment. And that's all we can do, isn't it? Good for us. Good for you. Keep going. Be grateful for today. We are the ones we've been waiting for.

And we're with you.
Chantal