Re: Life after leadership

[Don Slobodien]

I left an executive director position after nearly seven  years and won't ever go back. I worked tirelessly and honestly for too much stress and too little reward. As the organization grew, I found myself doing personnel work too often, which I didn't enjoy. I quit and started my own business providing services to nonprofit groups (grant-proposal writing, direct-mail strategies, board development, PR, etc.) and started teaching graduate-level marketing courses. I do not call myself a "consultant" because I actually do the work. It's rewarding because I'm making a difference by using the skills I have developed over the years -- and I don't have to manage a board or a staff. Other executive directors I have known have gone into real-estate sales and development positions.

[Rick Horton]

It's true, there can be "life after leadership."  But, like so much of life, there is a real trade-off.

My story is probably not so unique. Started working in the non-profit community after college graduation. I loved the variety of responsibilities as a staff member for a small, local children's museum for five years. Learned a lot about a broad range of duties, from maintenance to animal care to teaching to exhibit design to PR and special events. Did not always love the way that administrative decisions were made and implemented, however, and vowed to find a position that would provide greater management and leadership opportunities.

Moved to a bigger pond (Boston) to help establish a new non-profit environmental organization. Extremely satisfied with setting up systems, policies, and mission-driven programs and still do direct service work. I could continue to work 60-70 hour weeks. After four years, the board and I both thought I was ready and able to succeed the founder as executive director, which I did for over a year, bringing greater financial stability to the organization until the "dark side" of executive directorship drove me from the job. Dysfunctional staff, board micro-management, putting out fires that had little or nothing to do with the organizational purpose or mission. Leaving was painful but necessary.

Fast-forward 11 years. Here I am, still in the non-profit sector but free of the administrative burdens that come at the proverbial top of the pyramid. No one complains (to me at least) about their work schedule or co-workers. As a grant manager, I can still affect positive change in the programs for which I seek support. Married with two young sons, I can leave work with a clear conscience at the end of the day and, usually, look forward to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.  

The price for this freedom? Executive-level compensation (I am making about 50 percent less than our agency director) and, in an even tougher adjustment for me to make, the loss of executive-level decision making. I've still got the passion for positively affecting institutional change but, as a mid-level manager, change comes much slower, if at all.

Will I ever "direct again?"  While it's hard to say, I do know that, if an opportunity were to come my way again, I would have a much better sense of the questions to ask and the conditions under which top-level management would meet both my personal and professional needs.

[Diane Scanland]

I too am a former executive director. Actually, I have been an executive director twice. The first experience was bad and I swore that I would never do it again, then I got an attractive offer and decided to try it again. The second experience was even worse!

Primarily, the problem was the board at both organizations. One micro-manages (didn't even want me to attend the board meetings!) and the second board was totally uninterested in anything going on and didn't even read the group's financial statements. I feel so lucky that I was able to find my "dream" job, if there is such a thing in the nonprofit world. I now work for a nonprofit hospice-care provider as the marketing and fund-development Director and I love it! I am left alone to do my job and do what I am good at: raising funds and working in the community to garner support and awareness of our agency and what we do to help the residents.

It is true that at first I lost a lot by balking at being an executive director again, but I was determined to stick it out make something happen. Now, I have the best of both worlds, I make a really good salary, have decent benefits and I am part of a leadership team that makes decisions for the organization.

I don't think I will ever go back to being an executive director. There are better ways to go. I have stayed in the nonprofit world for 17 years because I really love making a difference in the community and I sleep well at night knowing that I helped someone. I would say to anyone who is worried about leaving an executive director position, be prepared to make concessions as to salary, benefits, and power -- but on the other hand, you will rest better not always waiting for that phone call on the weekend or lose sleep because the board is looking to you to make that budget. Waiting is worth it. Stick it out and make a better life for yourself.

It seems to be that the board is more often than not the problem for executive directors. I wish that foundations would require board to go through a real certified board training before they release money to an agency. That might make a difference. I do board training when I am asked and I am always amazed that so many board members do not have a clue as to why they are serving on their boards. Maybe someday that will change and when and if it does, executive directors will have an easier time.

[sarah_9]

Hello,

The best way to spend your life after your executive job is to share your experience with new generation, it will be beneficial for them as well as will help you in understanding the new changes and new thinking of fresh minds.


Regards,
sarah_9

[manik000]

hi !
its really a informative post...
thanks for your information ......