Trust, Leadership, Spaceships
- Chris B.
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Leadership lessons can be found in unlikely places. For example, Star Trek.
I love an episode of Star Trek when a character brings a wild idea to the rest of the crew. Something untested, unknown, and possibly unsuccessful.
The crew embraces this new idea in a flurry of activity and technobabble. They take a chance because they trust each other and assume that their colleagues are committed to the mission.
This, of course, reminds me of nonprofit teamwork.
Flash back with me to March 2020. Those early days before work from home and quarantine orders. I had just canceled our fundraising breakfast and was staring at largely-defunct fundraising plan and a $100,000 hole in my budget.
Until my team members came to my office to suggest an online day of giving. Something that we had never done before. Something that our donors weren't expecting or familiar with. And something we would end up organizing remotely as the office closed down.
It wasn't just the strength of the idea that made me say yes. It was the trust that my teammates had built. I knew that we wanted the same thing - to engage our donors, to beat our goals, and to support the mission.
Trust is at the heart of teamwork. It's what makes a group into a team - and what makes a team successful. It doesn't happen by accident or chance. It is something that can be built, developed, and strengthened.
If you're looking to sharpen your leadership skills and find ways to build trust and teamwork, have I got the webinar for you!
On July 21 I'll be presenting at The Nonprofit Academy's Summer Camp. Lianna Olds and are leading a session called Nonprofit Leadership: The Final Frontier. We're using Star Trek stories to examine nonprofit leadership in action. Think of it as a silly way to tackle a serious problem.
Can't make it? Still have nonprofit leadership questions? Want to know who my favorite captain is? Set up a call and let's talk!
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