Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector

Eight Practical Insights for Leaders

James C. Morgan

• Publisher: Chandler Jordan Publishing
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9780998329291
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Organizzazioni non profit e di beneficenza
• Index: Business

Finally, a booklet that integrates the best of business management with the realities of the nonprofit world!

While helpful to any reader, Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector is targeted at those who work in, volunteer with, and support the nonprofit sector.

Jim Morgan believes no matter your role in life or job title, anyone can improve their management skills with understanding and practice. He shares his proven leadership insights and management principles through easy-to-remember maxims designed to assist individuals, teams, organizations, networks, and movements to think about and then to apply to complex, real-world situations.

Finally, a booklet that integrates the best of business management with the realities of the nonprofit world!

While helpful to any reader, the booklet is targeted at those who work in, volunteer with, and support the nonprofit sector.

Jim Morgan believes no matter your role in life or job title, anyone can improve their management skills with understanding and practice. He shares his proven leadership insights and management principles through easy-to-remember maxims designed to assist individuals, teams, organizations, networks, and movements to think about and then to apply to complex, real-world situations.

Praise for Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector

“This little booklet is EXCELLENT for the whole nonprofit sector. Well done… and it’s fun to read! Jim Morgan’s insights offer wisdom and ready-made learning to spur action and promote behavior change within ourselves and our organizations.”

— Tom Tierney

Chairman and Co-Founder, Bridgespan

“Simple and effective advice for chief executives to use with their staff and board. It’s shaped the culture of our organization, catalyzed our strategic thinking and assisted us in implementing our strategic plan.”

— Lisa Andrew, Ed.D.

CEO, Silicon Valley Education Foundation

“A great resource for leaders of community foundations, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations alike. It’s succinct, practical and inspiring all at once. Among many valuable insights, I love Jim’s reminder to consistently ‘look up, look forward, and look around’.”

— Nicole Taylor

President and CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation

“We’re sharing this booklet with our nonprofit membership and incorporating it into our staff and board training program curriculums. It’s useful for agencies of all sizes and domains.”

— Larissa Robideaux

Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Nonprofits

“As a high-tech industry CEO and board chair, I strongly endorsed Jim’s basic principles for success in the business world. Now, retired and a nonprofit board chair, I see how effective his principles apply to nonprofits as well as to donors. They work and make a difference.”

— Dave House

Retired CEO, Bay Networks and Board Chair, Silicon Valley Education Foundation

“Foundation trustees need help effectively allocating their funding. This booklet offers countless insights for those investing in nonprofits as well as the nonprofits themselves. Jim’s combined experience as a successful businessman, nonprofit board leader and philanthropist offers deep understanding from all three worlds.”

— Matson Sewell

Co-trustee and Grants Manager, Arata Brothers Trust

“A compact booklet with timely and sound wisdom, truth and practical advice, including useful, provocative questions. I’ve distributed the booklet to my 100 senior leaders and my board. Jim has already had a significant impact on our thinking and leadership.”

— Albert L. Reyes, DMin, Ph.D.

President and CEO, Buckner International

“This booklet delivers on its promise. This easy-to-read but powerful collection of leadership principles provides real value, not just for chief executives, but for the board members who lead with them. The practical wisdom, and especially the collection of questions for board discussion, are excellent resources for any nonprofit board committed to truly advancing their nonprofit’s mission.”

— Mary Hiland, Ph.D.

Nonprofit Governance Consultant

Visit AppliedWisdomforNonprofits.org to download this booklet in print and audio formats, order additional print copies, and access learning tools and resources.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of Applied Wisdom for the Nonprofit Sector. The whole team at the Morgan Family Foundation, Linda Verhulp, Lisa Downey, Mary Yang Smith, and Mara Yarp; as well as Diane Parnes, Thad McIlroy, Jim McDonough, Becky Morgan, Joe Pon, Ethan Hawkes and Joan O’C. Hamilton.

Copyright © 2020 James C. Morgan All rights reserved. Second edition: March 2020

Published and distributed by Chandler Jordan Publishing, Los Altos, CA

ISBN (paperback): 978-0-9983292-7-7
ISBN (PDF): 978-0-9983292-8-4
ISBN (ebook): 978-0-9983292-9-1

Adapted from Applied Wisdom: Bad News Is Good News and Other Insights That Can Help Anyone Be a Better Manager by James C. Morgan and Joan O’C. Hamilton.

Project Director & Content Development: Diane Parnes, EVOLUTIONARY Philanthropy & Nonprofit Services

Publication and Editorial Consultant: Thad McIlroy, The Future of Publishing

Digital Strategy and Website: Jim McDonough

Cover and interior page design by Geoff Ahmann, AKA – Ahmann Kadlec Associates

Ebook production by Kevin Callahan, BNGO Books

Copyediting by Meri Furnari

AppliedWisdomforNonprofits.org

Contents

Foreword by Diane Parnes

A Note from Jim Morgan

How to Use this Booklet

CULTURE

Cultivating Culture

Respect and Trust Your People

Bad News is Good News

PL...