3:30 Minute Read
Many nonprofit leaders I work with share a common concern: their boards have tremendous potential, yet are not as engaged as they could be. These boards are typically filled with caring, talented, and connected people who possess enormous capacity—but often remain disengaged. It’s not that they’re trying to fail. Most have simply never been shown the steps, through disciplined systems, to move from passive to powerful.
One client put it this way: “I feel like I’m working with a powder keg of potential. I can see the fuse, but I just can’t reach it.”
Many new nonprofit leaders enter their roles with programming or fundraising expertise, only to discover that working with a board requires an entirely new skill set. Governance, recruiting, shaping culture, establishing policy, and managing upward are rarely part of their past experience—yet they are essential for future success.
That is why I wrote my new book, Igniting the Powder Keg: Seven Keys for Nonprofit Board Engagement. The book is available on Amazon now, and the softcover edition will be available in numerous outlets beginning April 30.
It’s practical and action-oriented, free from theory-heavy jargon—just real stories and strategies drawn from my own nonprofit experience. It unfolds as a conversation between two nonprofit leaders: one, a young executive with no prior board experience; the other, a recently retired CEO who built a highly effective and engaged board.
Why does this matter now? The challenges of hunger, homelessness, addiction, poverty, immigration, mental health, and more continue to weigh heavily on our communities—and often on our own neighbors and families. At the same time, the landscape for nonprofit leadership has never been more demanding. Government grants, foundation funding, and major donor support are increasingly unstable. Some organizations that have served our country for decades are now under attack by our own government because of the people they serve.
In addition, 75% of nonprofit CEOs are expected to retire within the next five to ten years. The consensus is clear: the sector is facing an unprecedented leadership transition. The urgency is real—we need a new generation of motivated, skilled leaders with the grit, vision, and character to rise to the occasion.
In the months ahead, my posts will focus on providing practical, actionable ideas for nonprofit leaders—particularly new CEOs and executive directors, as well as board chairs—that can be applied immediately.
For more than thirty years, I’ve had the privilege of serving the nonprofit sector from nearly every angle—leading organizations as a senior vice president, senior director, and director. I’ve also consulted with nearly 100 nonprofits and provided leadership coaching to dozens of leaders. In addition, I’ve served on numerous nonprofit boards, from startups to national organizations. These experiences have convinced me that while the challenges are real, the opportunities for courageous, wise leadership are even greater.
In demanding times like these, nonprofit leaders must act with clarity, courage, and creativity. This begins with the inner work of leadership. Leaders who fail to grow limit their organizations; those who embrace growth build more effective boards, healthier teams, stronger communities, and better outcomes for the people they serve.
My posts are designed to help you gain the confidence, strategies, and encouragement to light the fuse of your board’s potential—so your organization can flourish, even in the most challenging times. I invite you to join me and many others as we work to light the fust of board engagement. Your work may never have been more important than now.
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Please share this with your friends who are nonprofit leaders.
This blog shares perspectives on how you have the ability to create new story endings that are fille with meaning, power and hope. I facilitate culture-changing processes through keynotes, workshops and consulting that help organizations achieve greater impact. Also, I provide leadership coaching to help executives and aspiring leaders become the fullest expression of who they’re intended to be.
If you’re looking for coaching or consulting services, contact me at contactbrianbecker@gmail.com.
#leadership #vision #culture #boardengagement