To be a successful leader you must have the ability to inspire, innovate, problem-solve, motivate, communicate, and be willing to grow. Leaders must adapt quickly to change, be empathetic, set clear goals and expectations, and ensure their team understands the importance of their work.
In challenging times, a leader requires resilience, transparency, and strong communication skills. They must always respect the different perspectives of their team and must challenge, encourage and support individuals to grow.
The social sector is fast-paced and presents its own unique set of challenges for leaders to overcome, especially as it typically sees less investment. Teams generally have lower salaries in the social sector, and high-performing leadership is more common in the public and private sectors. Working in an under-funded sector means you likely have less access to leadership training.
A report by Mckinsey identified three areas where there is a need for the development of leadership in the social sector; Top executive teams need guidance, the performance of social sector leaders is lacking and there’s a need for increased structural support for leadership development.
The lack of an effective ‘top team’ undermines the effectiveness of an entire organization and the report shows there is a clear gap in training and development for leaders in the social sector. The sector is underfunded, and development in leadership skills is also underfunded. In summary, the Mckinsey report states that the lack of opportunities to grow as a leader and the minimal training opportunities, lead to the belief that leadership qualities are low in the social sector.
To succeed as a leader in the social sector, you must be passionate and mission-driven. As a leader, you need to harness your enthusiasm and instill passion in your team. Non-profits exist thanks to collaboration, and leaders must actively seek to work with other organizations. They must be active, dedicated, collaborative, intentional, and inclusive to get the job done.
Skills to become an effective community-based leader
Community leadership is about the interest of the people they represent. They are often seen as an influencer and do-er who works for the welfare of people by solving problems and raising important issues to highlight the change that is required. They focus on teamwork to work towards a common goal in their community.
To be an effective leader, there are many skills that community leaders can utilize.
1- Teamwork
Accept that you cannot work alone. Teams are about collaboration. As a leader you should recognize your team’s individual skills, you should delegate tasks, set realistic expectations, and check in regularly, while also ensuring that the team gets to collaborate and share ideas regularly. Leaders must also look for collaboration opportunities outside of the organization that will help their cause, especially if funding is limited.
2- Self Awareness
A core quality amongst community leaders is self-awareness. They understand that before they can lead others, they must know about their own abilities. Being aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and working with their team in order to achieve their goal.
3- Empathy
Community leaders are known to be empathetic, understanding, and able to sense other people's feelings. A strong attribute to have as an effective leader is possessing emotional intelligence. It encourages teamwork and allows the validation of viewpoints.
4- Interpersonal Skills
Communication skills and the ability to mediate, negotiate, and actively listen to teams are essential to leadership in general.
A good leader listens. Understands their team, their goals, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Ask for ideas, if the ideas are good, let them know. Their feedback is invaluable and hearing what they have to say, the good and the bad, is a strong way to build a relationship.
5- Create a positive environment
Studies show that when we’re happier, we work harder. Happier workers, ‘use the time they have more effectively, increasing the pace at which they can work without sacrificing quality.’ Leaders can encourage a happier work environment with positive feedback, team building sessions, and team away days.
Non-profits are mission-driven. People know their common goal but recognizing your team’s efforts with positive feedback is another way to improve job satisfaction. Don’t hold back, even if a contribution is small, positive feedback is always appreciated.
6- Social-responsibility
Leaders should encourage awareness of social responsibility, and not just the non-profit you represent or partner with. Taking part in local charitable initiatives, and giving back to the local community automatically boosts your group’s reputation.
A simple way for you to practice this would be by taking part in The Saudi Green Project, a Saudi initiative that champions climate action at home and abroad with aims that include planting 10 billion trees across Saudi and reducing carbon emissions by 278 mpta by 2030.
7- Dedication
At the heart of any effective leader, is belief, passion, and dedication to their role. Community leaders are committed to bringing about change, and continue to champion this change irrespective of the time it takes. They are a believer who is genuinely passionate about the benefits of community growth.
To be an effective leader there are many values and skills you must possess. Potentially more so in the social sector, especially when you’re not incentivized by money but through a mission and belief, you can have an impact and push change.
Leaders should focus on creating a happy work environment and a happy team. Community leadership must be intentional, inclusive, and collaborative to solve the wider challenges we face as a society.
