Blog / Nonprofits

The Loneliness of Leadership

by Tamela Spicer
The Loneliness of Leadership

Being an executive director can be a lonely job. It’s an ongoing balance of leading and following. There are times when a leader needs to guide or teach their board of directors or staff how to be more effective, while at other times the executive director is following the leadership and direction of their board, whether it’s implementing a strategic framework or navigating the organization toward annual goals. There are staff and volunteers to lead, donors to develop, and a variety of community stakeholder relationships to navigate.

Yet leading a nonprofit also has great rewards. Mission-driven organizations provide deep job satisfaction and the ability for community impact. It’s a complex role — one that needs the ongoing learning and support that executive coaching can provide.

Coaching is a creative, thought-provoking partnership between the coach, the executive, and in our case, the cohort. At the Johnson Center, our coaching philosophy is a cross between probative discovery and strategic advising. Designed to build on both the personal and organizational strengths of participants, executive coaching enables nonprofit leaders to work through challenges and develop skills.

“[Executive coaching] provided a safe place for me to come and talk about challenges in our organization — to talk with my colleagues and get their feedback, as well as the expertise of the Johnson Center. It was a great experience.”

– Colleen Davis, Executive Director of Alternatives in Motion

Executive coaching in the context of a peer group has the added benefit of providing support that can last far beyond the coaching experience. The coaching group provides a unique perspective that can help build leadership skills, deepen empathy, and increase productivity.

“This coaching group provided camaraderie, support, and empirical, hands on guidance in how to better lead your organization. I highly recommend it.”

– Mary Dailey Brown, President/CEO of SowHope

Click here to learn more about our executive coaching program and other services for nonprofits.

Tamela Spicer joined Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show in August 2018 to discuss the Johnson Center’s executive coaching program. Special guest Colleen Davis, executive director at Alternatives in Motion, shared her personal experience in the program. Listen here:

Tamela A. Spicer, M.A.
Tamela A. Spicer, M.A.
Senior Program Manager (2016–2023)
Tamela Spicer worked at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy from 2016–2023, serving most recently as senior program manager for learning services. Her work was shaped by her many years as a volunteer, service that included leadership roles with...