When there are changes, anticipated or not, at the executive leadership level of an organization a period of uncertainty and cultural change typically follows, and could become disruptive to the goals of the organization. This underscores the need for staff and board to quickly assess how to manage change, whether additional organizational and other changes should be made, and what type of leader(s) will be needed to shepherd those changes. That takes time, a luxury that many organizations do not have – unless they engage an interim Executive Director to ensure that best practices are applied during the evaluation and search process.
Nonprofits often wonder if they should, or can afford to, hire an interim leader during transition. My view is that it can be much more costly to not engage in the right transition professional. Too often a new leader is brought into the organization without a real sense of the strengths and vulnerabilities he or she will face. Hiring a well-rounded, seasoned professional to assess and report on staff capacity, adherence to regulations, financial stability, revenue projections, anticipated challenges and place in the community is a tremendous gift to a new leader. Following that up with thorough orientation and early coaching is priceless. It is an investment that will yield tremendous returns right out of the gate….and for years to come.
Interim leaders work with organizations anywhere from three to twelve months. On occasion, there have been longer assignments, but those are special circumstances. The Interim can be full-time, fulfilling all the duties of the last CEO or hired on a part-time basis to ensure compliance and respond to higher level decision-making as required. If possible, I favor an assignment that allows enough time to complete an audit of the organization during the search period. This allows the board to make needed improvements before the new leader steps in – and of course sets the stage for success for the incoming CEO.
Sharon has stepped in to transform many nonprofit organizations during her career. She has the experience and know-how to identify vulnerabilities and to partner with you in all aspects of the leadership transition process including:
- Succession planning
- The executive search process
- Interim leadership
- Assessment of organizational programs
- Development and application of policies and practices to ensure seamless transition
- Coaching and orientation for new executive leaders
“I have known Sharon for 10 years and met her when she worked for the Colorado Nonprofit Association. Sharon is a true professional in every sense of the word. She certainly has the skills to be an outstanding CEO for any nonprofit organization. She is a gifted strategic thinker and innovator and knows the state of the art of nonprofit leadership and management. She exemplifies the highest standards of ethics. She is also a gifted fundraiser and friend maker and will work hard to support a cause in which she believes. It was for these reasons that the board of the Colorado Nonprofit Association asked her to serve as Interim Executive Director during its last search process. She fulfilled that role with grace and dignity, not only maintaining, but improving the Association’s work and standing in that interim period. I highly recommend her.”
– Mary Anne Harvey, Executive Director, Disability Law Colorado
Contact Sharon Knight for more information about how she can provide you with services allowing you to smoothly and effectively manage leadership transition.
Sharon Knight Consulting 