With cuts to federal funding forcing layoffs and cutbacks to programs, the nonprofit world is reeling and as they strive to carry out their missions, morale is taking a hit. “Employees are going through a range of emotions: fear, anxiety and stress — even anger,” says Ian Adair, an expert in leadership strategies who is currently CEO of the Seattle Police Foundation. https://lnkd.in/eT2zKpXY
Nonprofit Fundraising Consultant | Advocate for Equitable Philanthropic Education | Philanthropy Nerd
1wI think a lot of leaders are sugar coating reality to avoid the discomfort of reconciling perspectitve truths and real meaningful change while failing to support the nessessity of collective action. All to serve fragile leaders egos. When I am sitting in a room with leaders talking about “we don’t do status quo” while discussing removing “diversity” and “equity” from our values with what is equivalent to a wink and a nod promise that we won’t abandon them, I am calling BS. Employees are valid in their fear, stress and anger. Acknowledge it and support them, give them a vehicle through work and opportunities to express their catharsis. Give them the mental health day off to go protest 🪧. Maybe wake up to the lived and living experiences of a dynamic diverse work force. Stop with the performative caring, what do I mean by this? Stop walking up to LGBTQ+ people, women, and black women after the fact and expressing your allyship while you ride the fence. It’s insulting. After a summer of “gay people need killin’” here in NC, don’t walk up to me after the election and say, “how are you doing?” Create spaces where people can feel seen and heard, where perspective truths can be reconciled creating shared ownership in moving forward.