Today, on the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m selfishly so excited to have Patton McDowell on the show and to share our conversation with you. We are discussing his path to becoming a leader in the nonprofit sector and the lessons he has learned over his career.
Focusing on why nonprofit leaders often face high turnover, we talk about things like unrealistic expectations, generational shifts, and lack of professional development opportunities.
We chatted about practical tools and resources nonprofit pros can apply to strengthen their skills and experience – such as building a personal board of directors and participating in mastermind groups.
You will walk away after listening to this episode with actionable advice on topics like goal-setting, networking, productivity, and the importance of investing in staff to fulfill organizational missions and retain donors long-term.
In this episode:
- [01:31] Patton’s path to nonprofit leadership started with an internship at Special Olympics International
- [04:00] Common reasons for high turnover in the nonprofit sector
- [06:08] Impact of generational shifts and how organizations can support different age groups
- [09:34] How staff retention impacts donor retention
- [11:40] Developing leadership goals and Patton’s Vision Framework exercise
- [14:07] Benefits of strategic networking, building a personal board, and participating in mastermind groups
- [16:56] Essential leadership skills and the importance of self-assessment
- [20:28] Tips for improving productivity while avoiding burnout
- [34:34] The importance of identifying and focusing on one’s “highest value role” and delegating other tasks to maximize impact
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES
“Unrealistic expectations and lack of professional development lead to turnover in the nonprofit sector.” – Patton McDowell
“Organizations must organize themselves to support talented people and provide growth opportunities to retain them.” – Patton McDowell
“Donor retention is a staff retention issue.” – Haley Cooper
“It is imperative for us to focus on retaining our staff so that we retain our donors because we know with the turnover, we’d lose that trust, we’d lose that relationship, and it takes time to build that back.” – Haley Cooper
“You have to be a very effective leader and get people to follow you who aren’t getting paid. And that to me is the ultimate test and what makes nonprofit leadership so challenging but also so vital in our communities.” – Patton McDowell
“I think that no matter where you are in your journey, there’s someone that could coach you […] But then go the other direction, too. There is somebody behind you on your path who could use your help. ” – Patton McDowell
“Coach and be coached. And I think you’ll be better off because of it.” – Patton McDowell
RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate your fundraising efforts.
Are you ready to become an emotional connection master?
The EmC Masterclass developed by Dr. Lola Gershfeld is for everyone looking to enhance their communication and collaboration skills to raise more revenue for their mission. This groundbreaking Emotional Connection process has been integrated into top universities’ curriculum and recognized by international organizations like ICF HRCI, and SHRM. Use the code LEADWITHHEART to enjoy a generous 10% discount.
CONNECT WITH PATTON
As the founder of PMA Nonprofit Leadership, Patton has worked with over 275 nonprofit organizations, providing consulting, coaching, and training on leadership development, fundraising, and strategic planning. Drawing from his 20 years of experience in the sector, Patton is a best-selling author and passionate advocate for supporting nonprofit professionals.
Facebook: @patton.mcdowell.3
Instagram: @pmanonprofit
Twitter: @PattonMcDowell
YouTube: @yourpathtononprofitleaders3713
Linkedin: PMA Nonprofit Leadership
Website: www.pmanonprofit.com
CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Certified Stress Management Coach, and Certified EmC train the trainer. She is the Founder of The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business. She has worked in both small and large nonprofit teams in the human services, homelessness, and youth sectors; and she specializes in the EmC process, nonprofit leadership, board development, and fundraising. Haley is a passionate, impact-driven, experienced nonprofit professional whose mission is to empower, elevate and engage nonprofit leaders to build healthy, thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
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