Page 57 - Washington Nonprofit Handbook 2018 Edition

b. Words of Wisdom for New Executive Directors

In “The Nonprofit ED’s First 100 Days,” The Nonprofit Quarterly offers advice

and guidance for new executive directors. In general, the authors suggest that
these critical days should be focused on gathering information, expressing curiosity
and interest about the details of the work of new colleagues, and preparing to lead
the organization toward the future in light of the goals and commitments
expressed during the hiring process.

The article proposes “Eleven Questions for a New Leader.” They are:

(a) How should I sequence these first 100 days?

(b) Am I confident that I understand the organization’s
current situation?

(c) What are this organization’s top three
opportunities and challenges? To what extent is
there agreement, dissent, or indecision about
priorities?

(d) Which relationships are most critical for me to
sustain? Who would expect to hear from me early
in my tenure?

(e) How should I allocate my time among internal and
external relationships? How do others view this
distribution?

(f) What information and sources of information do I
need to master to understand the field and
environment of this organization?

(g) Does my newness open avenues for changed
relationships, new support, or repaired bridges?

(h) What symbolic moves could I take to denote a new
era?

(i) Who else applied for this position whom I should
now call on?

WASHINGTON NONPROFIT HANDBOOK -46- 2018