Top 15 Leadership Lessons from Running a Non-Profit Ministry

One year ago, I said yes to effectively the largest step I’d made in leadership to date as I stepped into the role of President for the Young Catholic Professionals – Columbus Chapter. I can’t help but feel incredibly blessed for the opportunities it offered me to grow in leadership, sacrifice and service this past year. It hasn’t been easy and there have been weeks with so much to do I become slightly manic, but I have the most incredible people around me that continue to build me up, challenge me and support me. They overlook my many shortcomings and continue to mold me into a better leader, a better friend and most importantly, a better daughter of Christ.

While these busy times sometimes come with challenges, I’m thankful for the leadership lessons that always come out of them. Last October, when I became President, I was shaking and nervous every time I had to get up and speak. Today, public speaking is almost second nature. Last year, I could see pride sneak into my role, being proud for how far I came in my faith and proud of my new position. That was humbled very quickly and I learned that I am nothing without the team around me. Nothing without the Lord. Nothing without all those who come to our events to be served and provide inspiration. It’s not about me at all.

Last year, I thought managing a team of 17 would be fun and exciting. While that was true, I could have never guessed how difficult and exhausting it would be. To step up in any areas that needed it, to accept suggestions and frustrations from 17 different people, to be more nurturing and sacrificial, to live leadership through my actions. Today, I’ve learned how to humble myself to do what is needed for the organization, to push past the defeat when things don’t go according to plan, to celebrate our amazing team from small to big wins, to lead numerous different personalities and desires, and to strive to empower each person on the team instead of doing things my way, just to name a few. And by “learned,” I mean I failed and stumbled time and time again, and my team picked me up every time and encouraged me.

Mostly, I am thankful for having been taught obedience this year, to serve rather than to be served, even when it doesn’t feel glamorous. When the 72 unread emails pile up and feel overwhelming, and when I’ve written “Thanks for your patience with my reply” over and over again and feel defeated because I really want to be able to do more. Those are the times when I’ve had to rely less on my own will, humble my pride, and continue to tackle what I can. To not feel defeated but accept that I’m doing all I am capable of to make a difference while striving to still being a good employee, guardian, daughter, sister, friend, homeowner, etc. I’ve had to learn to be obedient enough to do the paperwork, meetings, and phone calls when all my heart desires is to build community and minister. I’ve had to allow myself the opportunity to rest when needed without feeling guilt. I am thankful for the sacrifices I’ve had to make for the greater purpose because at every event, especially on the busy weeks, I get to the see the rewards of those sacrifices.

So, what I have learned after a year of leading a nonprofit organization? Here are the top lessons I’ve learned, in no particular order.

1. I am nothing without the support of my team around me. Similarly, we are nothing as a team if we are not engaged and supporting one another. Take the extra time to bond and learn trust. 
2. Quit worrying about the people who aren’t there and instead focus on ministering to those who are. Inspiring those people will inspire growth. 
3. Empowered people empower people. Empower your team and they will succeed. Control or micromanage and they will leave or become unengaged. 
4. The nuances of leadership can be exhausting and you can lose your purpose. Endless emails and meetings make for tired minds. Schedule events or things in your calendar that will fire you up and remind you of your greater purpose & why you wanted to lead/serve in the first place.
5. Being the leader means stepping up and stepping in on ANY task at ANY time. Without complaining. 
6. Look out for your team. Learn what’s going on in their life. Let go of the least important responsibilities when they have a lot going on and step in yourself. Shield them from others who don’t know what they are dealing with and stick up for them.
7. You have dreamers and doers. Put one of each on the same team. Dreamers struggle to do and doers have a hard time seeing the bigger picture. However, they work wonderful in tandem together. You need both.
8. People serve for different reasons. Find everyone’s reason. Lead them in a manner that fuels the reason they serve. 
9. There will always be someone with a complaint. Take it with stride and humility. Make the necessary changes. 
10. Everyone has an idea of how you can do a better job. Do your best to manage people as they would like to be managed. Accept that you will never fully accomplish pleasing everyone because you are leading a large group of different personalities/desires. 
11. Don’t bring the drama from your life in the team. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama. Don’t gossip about people in your team. Lead by example.  
12. You can’t make anyone do anything. They are volunteers. You must constantly find ways to help reinspire them, to drive them, to make them excited about their role and grow their desire to help. 
13. Gratitude matters. Learn each person’s love language and find ways to thank them – personal note, gift card, lunch on you, etc.
14. When you step into the areas that make you uncomfortable, that is when you grow. Embrace them with prayer and dive down that path. You’ll likely learn it is where you need to grow.
15. Don’t fill a spot on the team to simply fill the spot. It’s better to have the right people than a big team. If you don’t have passionate people, you won’t have passionate events. When people join the team as a favor because you are friends, they ultimately will drop off. Save yourself the trouble of replacing them later. Pray over and wait on the right teammates, even if it means someone else has to cover those responsibilities until that person arrives.

What other leadership lessons do you have to contribute to this list?