8 Practical Insights

Introduction

Applied Wisdom for Nonprofits is intended to provide succinct leadership tools and techniques for people who work in nonprofit organizations, small or large, new or well-established, regardless of your position or title. My goal is to help you accelerate your development as a leader.

I collected this set of management tips through my varied experiences in farming, military, aerospace, venture capital and high tech. I ran a company, Applied Materials, which when I retired in 2003 employed over 15,000 people in 18 countries. Along the way, members of my Applied Materials team started calling my tips “Morganisms.”

The issue is not so much that we need to transfer the tools of business to nonprofits. Rather, what I can promise you is that if you take the issues that most companies face and list them next to the management challenges many nonprofits have, you would not be able to identify which is which. All organizations benefit from certain very basic management principles. All of us, whatever missions we give ourselves, can be more effective in reaching our goals if we are alert to opportunities, disciplined in listening for signs of trouble, and fixing problems before they escalate. Everyone can learn from listening. The best managers help people maximize their potential. Every person, regardless of education, training, or current position, is capable of improving his or her management skills; whether in a start-up, a global company, or a nonprofit that is rich in passion but limited in resources. To your success, Jim Morgan

Free Guide

Listen like a Leader: 9 Tips to Drive Powerful Conversations

Discover the keys to listening well so you can learn more from others and they can learn more from you.

Register for an Event

Increasing the Social-Emotional Intelligence of Your Workforce

Learn how the powerful lessons of personal change from The 7 Habits can help transform the behaviors of your workforce.

1

Habit 1: Be Proactive®

Focus and act on what you can control and influence instead of what you can’t.

2

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind®

Define clear measures of success and a plan to achieve them.

3

Habit 3: Put First Things First®

Prioritize and achieve your most important goals instead of constantly reacting to urgencies.

4

Habit 4: Think Win-Win®

Collaborate more effectively by building high-trust relationships.

5

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood®

Influence others by developing a deep understanding of their needs and perspectives.

6

Habit 6: Synergize®

Develop innovative solutions that leverage differences and satisfy all key stakeholders.

7

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw®

Increase motivation, energy, and work/life balance by making time for renewing activities.

Improve Effectiveness for Individuals and Teams

Individual Effectiveness

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is the proven individual effectiveness operating system. Participants develop increased maturity, greater productivity, and the ability to manage themselves. They will come away with the ability to execute critical priorities with laser-like focus and careful planning.

Team Effectiveness

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is the proven team effectiveness operating system. Participants increase team engagement, morale, and collaboration. Teams come away with improved skills in communication and relationship building.