The Value of Gratitude for Nonprofit Leaders - Beyond Thanking Donors
The act of expressing gratitude is undeniably essential for organizations that run on donated funds. Nonprofit leaders know that in order to maintain donor relationships they must prioritize expressing thanks. It is a never-ending task.
But thanking donors is NOT what this blog post is about. I will leave those recommendations to the gift acknowledgment and donor relations posts.
This article is about how the personal practice of gratitude can protect and sustain the mental well-being of a nonprofit leader.
The stress of nonprofit leadership is undeniable. At its core nonprofits are charged with meeting an underserved or unmet need in society. They are committed to doing the most good with limited resources. The ideas for what and how to do this are endless and challenges are constant. It is easy to feel underappreciated (as a result of depressed salaries) and exhausted (as a result of understaffing and lack of support).
What nonprofit leaders need is that whole body, happy energy that comes from shifting their focus from scarcity to what they are grateful for even amid various challenges.
As noted in Psychology Today, practicing gratitude is good for your health.
“People who are grateful feel less pain, less stress, suffer insomnia less, have stronger immune systems, experience healthier relationships, and do better academically and professionally. Overall it can boost both your mental and your physical health. “
3 Ways to Integrate Gratitude into Your Leadership
Keep a gratitude journal and use it regularly.
People who maintain a regular gratitude practice are more happy and resilient.
As humans, our brains are programmed to focus on what else needs to be done and problem-solve for the future. As a result, we often forget everything we have accomplished and how far we have come. Taking time to reflect and be thankful generates renewed energy to continue the work.
Including a portion of gratitude for the things you are personally proud of accomplishing helps a leader continue to learn and expand their capacity. Even if the item feels small in comparison to the large mission of the organization, it is important to express gratitude for your efforts.
For example:
- I’m thankful I bravely called that lapsed donor.
- I’m proud I had a candid and vulnerable conversation with my staff.
- I’m grateful I made time to submit that grant application.
- I’m grateful for the lessons learned through that event (even when the result was not as planned).
This helps quiet the inner critic and improve our mental health in navigating so many unknown situations in leadership.
2. Thank your staff
If you feel overworked and underappreciated most likely your team feels that as well. When you focus on all the ways the team supports you and allow that awareness to flow via expressions of gratitude the energy will return to you in the form of additional support and motivation.
Consider how to express gratitude in a meaningful way.
Extra time off after a large project or event
Handwritten notes
Staff lunch
Spoken words of acknowledgment
The only way to know how your staff likes to feel appreciated is by asking them.
Try on: “When have you felt appreciated by the organization?”.
3. Make Gratitude a Community practice
When a leader personally feels the emotion of gratitude and appreciation it easily flows throughout the organization. Inviting others to join in a moment of silence or express appreciation will raise the vibe of the event. Starting an organizational meeting with a moment of gratitude will help the collective mindset focus on assets and opportunities rather than fixation on problems and scarcity.
As a leader, your mental and physical well-being directly impacts the effectiveness of the organization. Developing a practice of gratitude not only improves the organization it will drastically improve your life and well-being.
Guest Post by Sonya Perez-Lauterbach ,
Background on Sonya
Sonya Perez-Lauterbach is a Certified Leadership Coach, Change Expert, and the creator of Leadership Atlas™ - a holistic approach to leadership development that integrates the mental, emotional, and embodied aspects of leading. Sonya has worked with leaders from nonprofit organizations for nearly 20 years. She has studied with world-renowned psychiatrist, author, and educator, Dr. Dan Siegel and earned her Master of Science in Learning & Organizational Change from Northwestern University.
Through transformational 1:1 coaching, Sonya supports change agents to become confident, effective and joyful leaders which is the key to healthy, thriving organizations. Learn more about Sonya at: www.sonyaperez.com
Are you interested in more rejuvenating and reflective leadership Insights? Subscribe to Sonya’s newsletter, Leadership Inside Out™ HERE.
