Nonprofit Leadership Qualities

PROMPT
"Maximus was my model for self-control, fixity of purpose, and cheerfulness under ill-health or other misfortunes. His character was an admirable combination of dignity and charm, and all the duties of his station were performed quietly and without a fuss. He gave everyone the conviction that he spoke as he believed, and acted, as he judged right. Bewilderment or timidity were unknown to him; he was never hasty, never dilatory; nothing found him at a loss. He indulged neither in despondency nor forced gaiety, nor had anger or jealousy any power over him. Kindliness, sympathy, and sincerity all contributed to give the impression of a rectitude that was innate rather than inculcated. Nobody was ever made by him to feel inferior, yet none could have presumed to challenge his preeminence. He was also the possessor of an agreeable sense of humor."

Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Number 15

Please reflect on this meditation, offered by Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-80), a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. He describes qualities of leadership. How do you resonate/not resonate with his characterization? And how would you compare modern leaders to these ancient ideas? Are some of these traits worth emulating today? Which ones would you keep and which ones would you throw out? Consider the varying contexts -- ancient history and modern society today.

RESPONSE
Earlier this week, I went to the coffee shop across the street from my office for lunch and a little PhD time and read this prompt just prior to a meeting. My meeting was with a businessman who is a devoted board member for a variety of nonprofits in the community. He is interested in making the move from business to the nonprofit sector. During our conversation about the nonprofit world, he asked what I saw as the ideal personality and leadership qualities of a nonprofit leader. Many of the qualities we discussed were described by Marcus Aurelius including passion for the cause, selflessness, and authenticity. As a nonprofit leader, you become the holder of the mission of the organization and the vision for aspired change. This means that the work is not about the leader; but the people this leader is inspiring or ensuring are helped. The nonprofit leaders I respect the most see this as their life’s work or mission. Many would classify my description above as “servant leadership.” I believe that the ideal nonprofit leader is just that.

We also discussed the vital role of nonprofit leaders to embody collaboration, innovation, and sustainability. These could sound in conflict with each other but I feel they are keys for future nonprofit leadership. In describing the book Governance as Leadership, co-author Bill Ryan describes the vital role for nonprofit leaders to embody generative thinking. He describes this as “it frames the problems that we solve, it determines what needs deciding before we make decisions, it suggests what’s worth a strategy before we develop a strategic plan.” If nonprofit leaders are thinking generatively they are always on the look-out for partners to ensure the vision is being accomplished; they are looking for new solutions and to engage those with innovative ideas; and they are making the decisions (sometimes very hard) to ensure the programs and services best accomplishing the mission are sustainable.

Aurelius’s characteristics are indeed still very relevant. The modern leaders of today that I most respect, hold many of these qualities. I do however think that part of being an authentic leader is being able to be vulnerable enough to ask for help when “at a loss.” Maximus’s role as a military leader probably didn’t allow his to do this to his enemies—but I would be highly surprised if he did not find himself “at a loss” every once in a while.

What stood out to me and does in any other ancient text is the rich and poetic tone and nature. What will people reading the work of current philosophers of leadership think? Surely, they will still be experiencing the same “what works” for leadership…but how will they be conveying it? And, what a good reminder…leaders do need to possess a sense of humor!