Lens on Leadership

Two-minute tips for leaders on how to create the types of vision, plan, and culture that will move the needle for your mission.

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David Wagner David Wagner

3 Tips for Making Asks that Get a “Yes”

Don’t beat around the bush. If you need someone’s help to make your mission a success, ask - in a way that is clear, explicit, and shows that you value your relationship with them.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Get Unstuck: From Roadblocked to Resolved

It’s no fun feeling stuck. Thorny issues can totally consume your energy. Working with an independent guide can help you get unstuck - quickly - so you can get back to focusing on your mission.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Get Unstuck: Find the First Move

Having a realistic first move to get from where you are to where you’d like to be is the final step in getting unstuck. Finding your way is much easier with these three techniques.

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David Wagner David Wagner

5 Ways to Be an Awesome Mentor

Mentoring others is one of the great joys of being a leader. It’s also an important part of building your organization’s capacity.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Progress vs. Togetherness

Making progress takes a lot of pushing. Making change last requires everyone to advance together. Effective leadership requires that you strike the balance.

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David Wagner David Wagner

3 Keys to Balanced Boards

Commitment to your mission is not the only factor in your board’s effectiveness. Boards must also balance their governance capacity and their understanding of your organization's character.

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David Wagner David Wagner

We Need to Talk

Worried about the consequences of bringing up an uncomfortable topic? The consequences of staying silent are often more concerning.

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David Wagner David Wagner

4 Steps to Uncompromising Inclusion

It is tempting to exclude voices that conflict with our mission. Practice inclusivity without compromising your values by listening to legitimate stakeholders, even if you don't adopt their input.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Embrace Your Uniqueness

Embrace what makes you *you* (as an individual or as an organization), instead of conforming to limiting beliefs about how you “should” be.

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David Wagner David Wagner

When Your Purpose Feels Uncertain

Uncertainty about your purpose can feel daunting, but it’s perfectly normal. Finding your “next closest” purpose can help you break through the logjam as you continue to seek clarity.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Ready… Set? Stop.

Growth sometimes requires that we stop doing what no longer serves our mission. Get clear on what's not working, and how to guide your team through the transition to something better.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Conserve Energy, Not Time

Busy leaders may try to maximize their efficiency by doing as much as they can in as little time as possible. But the toll on your energy may cause this approach to backfire.

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David Wagner David Wagner

When Your Success Depends on Someone Else

Partnerships help you have impact beyond your in-house capacity. They also introduce risks. Use careful planning to ensure partnerships improve, rather than threaten, your chances of success.

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David Wagner David Wagner

Avoiding vs. Leaning Into Discomfort

Emotional discomfort is our body's way of telling us we need to change something to protect ourselves, or we need to change something inside ourselves.

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