DON’T SETTLE

 

In this series, the DBD Team will take a deeper look at some of the axioms we use when working with our clients. In today’s blog, Thom Peters reflects on our axiom: “Don’t settle.”

Living in a small town, I tend to chose my home repair, insurance and mechanics from recommendations. That’s why giving my insurance coverage to a locally recommended guy for years without ever meeting him seemed fine…until I needed him. At the appointed date and time, I went to his office to explain my needs around my kid’s insurance. He excused himself, got up, went to the back and then I overheard him tell his assistant that he would be back after lunch. She entered and continued the conversation like all was well.

I now have a new agent.

Changing agents did take a bit of time, but I didn’t feel the need to settle.

I see this in my work when it comes to leadership. I bet most of you have wonderful volunteers who are willing to help. They are easy candidates to pick when it comes to capital campaigns, but they may not be the best leaders for the job.

When we settle, we chose to stay in the here and now, rather than push into the there and future. The right leaders – often the busiest, most sought after people – are usually the ones that will move an organization forward. Ironically, waiting for the right leader will get you to your goal faster then settling on the easy one now.

How do you know if you’ve been settling when it comes to leadership?

  • Are there issues facing your organization that don’t seem to get resolved but are pushed off from leader to leader?
  • Is your campaign being led by someone, or more than one someone, who was not at the top of the recommended list during feasibility?
  • Have you identified the best volunteer but never felt worthy of approaching them to lead your organization?

That former insurance guy never tried to regain my business or asked why I dropped him. I learned my lesson, though. Recommendations are good, but don’t settle for anything less than the right person for the job or volunteer position.

Posted by Thom Peters
Thom Peters

Written by Thom Peters

A fascination with people and service has been the essential driving force behind Thom’s work with local and national non-profit organizations. Thom’s career in service began with his first summer as a YMCA camp counselor in college. From there, he went on to build a 30-year career within the not-for-profit arena.

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