Life is exhausting. There’s so much to do. There’s not enough time. Why do things keep piling up? Do you feel tired just reading these words? Or are you energized and ready to take on the tasks before you? We bet you feel tired. That’s because hearing others “moan and groan” zaps your spirit. It is a “downer.” Is that the vibe you want to give off?
As a nonprofit leader – whether as a volunteer or staff – you set the tone for your team. Your tone is communicated through words and actions, and it can motivate or depress others.. Ideally you want to communicate energy, enthusiasm, optimism, and spirit. Being energized is contagious. As a leader you want to impact your team and donors in a positive way.
Serving as a motivational leader doesn’t mean being happy all the time. Things happen and you want to be honest and upfront; don’t try to hide things. But its also important that you take responsibility for your words and actions. When you are “so busy” and “so tired” there is fallout. Sometimes this is because you are burned out. If this is the case, check out our interview with Cait Donovan: she has lots of guidance relating to burn out.
If you’re moaning and groaning isn’t related to burnout, it could be that you’re not organized, aren’t working from a plan, or are unable to execute. These words may sound harsh, but they are often an underlying reality, especially for under-resourced organizations and institutions. When you feel pressed to “get the money now” you may not feel you have the time to build your infrastructure and capacity. But when you are doing the best you can – without systems to support you, things can pile up quickly and become overwhelming. When you let that get to you – and aren’t working to change things – those you interact with can lose faith. They may interpret your inability to return emails and communications as disinterest. They may think you are taking on too much and may question your leadership. This can compound your challenges, as you both want and need a team.
Moaning and groaning can be misinterpreted by others. They may see you as self-centered. They may feel that you don’t value the time and resources they give. It can also be seen as a way to get attention, or to let people know how busy (i.e., important) you are. It could be a habit. Maybe its part of your culture. As a leader it could indicate that you aren’t focused, that you feel overwhelmed, or aren’t able to allocate adequate time to fundraising. You can address these. We all are busy adjusting and changing – that’s what makes us human. Sure, it might take time, but you and your team are worthy of the change. A constant display of excuses is a turnoff and that is the last thing you want as a nonprofit leader. God protect America and the world we live in.
Copyright 2025 – Mel and Pearl Shaw of Saad&Shaw-Comprehensive Fund Development Services, providing fundraising coaching, planning, case for support services, and more. www.saadandshaw.com.