In March 2024, I had the privilege of completing an impactful 8-week program with 60 other nonprofit leaders - the Interim Executives Academy with Third Sector Company. This experience provided helpful and accessible insights around the transformation that is possible for organizations with an interim executive director.
The program emphasized the unique role and challenges of interim leadership compared to serving as a permanent Executive Director. Having previously held an Executive Director role, I grew accustomed to playing the long game - developing multi-year strategies, building enduring relationships, and incrementally shaping the organization's culture. In contrast, interim leadership is more of a sprint and the role demands both urgency and thoughtfulness because interim Executive Directors must quickly diagnose and address critical challenges while also ensuring that their interventions are sustainable and aligned with the organization's long-term goals. Striking this balance requires a strategic mindset, adaptability, and the ability to make tough decisions under pressure. The program walked us through the key phases of interim leadership and provided participants with resources to support every step of each phase. These key phases are:
Beyond the mechanics of each phase, what made the Interim Executives Academy transformative was the emphasis on methodical, structured processes combined with innovative, adaptive leadership practices. We explored facilitative leadership models, change management approaches, and the power of servant leadership. I'm excited to already be putting this learning into practice with my clients who are navigating challenging moments, helping them emerge stronger on the other side. The organizational assessment tools, as an example, I'm finding useful for all of my nonprofit clients in getting a good lay of the land for the health of their organizations. The Interim Executives Academy has equipped me with a robust toolkit and a fresh perspective on leadership and I'm thankful for the experience. I highly recommend this program, not only for Interim Executive Directors but also for any nonprofit leader looking to round out their skillset and the tools they have on hand.
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