If you’re leading a nonprofit right now and feeling the pressure — you’re not alone.
In the past few weeks, I’ve spoken with NGO leaders juggling impossible workloads, navigating tricky board dynamics, and trying to keep their kaimahi / team afloat while running on empty.
Some are managing restructures, others are dealing with funders shifting the goalposts — and many are doing it all without any real support.
I’m also seeing more boards and managers navigating the tension of founder syndrome — where long-serving founders, whether in governance or management, struggle to step back, making leadership transitions harder than they need to be.
I get it. I’ve been there. And here’s the truth: This way of working isn’t sustainable. Not for you, not for your kaimahi / team, and not for the mission you care so deeply about.
It’s time to rethink what good leadership looks like. Leadership that’s human. Leadership that’s strategic. Leadership that lasts.
So what needs to change?
Here are three shifts I’m encouraging nonprofit leaders to try right now:
🔹 1. Work with rhythm, not overdrive
The nonprofit world often runs on urgency. But not everything is a crisis — and treating it that way burns people out. Try creating a rhythm to your leadership:
- Plan in cycles, not just being constantly reactive.
- Build in time for reflection, connection, and rest.
- Schedule clear space in your calendar every week — and always protect it.
You don’t have to earn your rest by hitting a wall. Make it part of how you lead.
🔹 2. Get clear on your actual role
Too many leaders are doing everything: HR, staff management, operations, comms and marketing, fundraising, funder reports, board prep — and then wondering why they’re exhausted.
Stop. Take a moment to revisit your role description (if you even have one!). Ask:
- What must be done by me?
- What can be delegated, delayed, or dropped altogether?
You are not the entire organisation. Let go of the things that don’t belong to your role — and that includes tasks you’ve absorbed out of guilt or habit.
🔹 3. Engage your board differently
Your board should be a source of strength, not another drain on your time and energy.
Start treating your board as part of the leadership team — not just a compliance group. That means:
- Clear expectations and role clarity
- Honest conversations about what support you actually need
- Regular check-ins that go beyond the agenda
- Shared responsibility for the health of the organisation
When the board is working well, you’ll feel less alone. If it’s not — start by having that first brave conversation.
I know these aren’t always easy shifts to make. But they’re necessary — and they’re possible.
You don’t have to keep pushing through. You can lead well and look after yourself. You can care deeply without carrying everything alone.
Let’s change the story we tell about leadership in the nonprofit world.
💭 Need a circuit breaker? Start with a small step.
If any of this has struck a chord, take a few minutes this week to jot down:
- What’s one thing you’re carrying that doesn’t belong to you?
- What would leadership feel like if it was sustainable?
And if you’re ready to talk it through, I’m here. You’re welcome to book a free 30-minute insight session — no strings, just space to breathe, reflect, and get some clarity.
🟡 Take the first step toward leading in a way that works for you.
Let’s make sustainable leadership the new normal.