Leadership oscpa cle-accounting_show2011

GOING BEYOND YOUR CPA:POSITIONING YOURSELF

FOR LEADERSHIP SUCCESSJ. Clarke Price, CAE

President & CEO – The Ohio Society of CPAs

What We’ll Cover

• What is leadership?• How do you get involved?• What’s different about leadership in non-profits? • Trends in non-profit organizations• How do you find the activity that’s right for you?• What are the challenges you’ll face as a leader

in a non-profit organization?• What should you do tomorrow?• Questions & Discussion

What Is Leadership?

A leader is a dealer in hope

» Napoleon

Leadership

• Typical definition ---- “The process of leading or guiding a group of people”

• Leadership is NOT about making decisions for the group

• Leadership is NOT about making your mind up before the group starts the discussion

• Leadership is NOT about not having a personal vision, but it does mean your views can evolve based on the wisdom of those around you

Attributes of Leaders

• Integrity• Competence• Enthusiasm & Commitment• Creative• Sense of Humor• Clear Communicator• Perseverance• Collaborative• Understands the Power of Questions• Willing to Take Risks & Challenge the Status Quo

Leading vs. Managing

MANAGERS LEADERS

Deal with the status quo Deal with change

Work in the system Work on the system

React Create opportunities

Control risks Seek opportunities

Enforce organizational rules Change organizational rules

Seek & then follow direction Provide a vision to believe in & then strategic alignment

Control people by pushing them in the right direction

Motivate people by satisfying basic human needs

Coordinate effort Inspire achievement & energize people

Provide instructions Coach followers, create self-leaders & empower them

Develop the Leaders Behind You

The function of leadership is to create more leaders, not more followers.

» Ralph Nader

Leading vs. Managing

Management works in the system; leadership works on the system

» Peter Drucker

What’s Different AboutLeadership in Non-Profits?

Personal Investment Can Be Strong

• Resistance to change can be acute• Historic ownership of programs & activities can

make even the smallest change difficult• The importance of fighting the “we’ve always

done this” or “we’ve always done it that way” syndrome

• Change takes time . . . and volunteers don’t always have the time or energy needed to drive change

Leading vs. Managing

Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. Effective leadership is putting first things first.

» Stephen Covey

The “Time in Grade” Syndrome

• Too often everyone gets their chance to lead if they stay involved

• Good followers and good workers don’t necessarily make good leaders– More often than not, followers don’t make

good leaders• A culture to identify potential leaders & facilitate

leadership development is critical• Leadership isn’t a “right” of being a volunteer

A Good Idea Isn’t Always Good

• Politeness among volunteers often means nobody wants to say “that’s a bad idea”

• Any idea can get wings if someone says “I’ll work on that” ---- regardless of whether it’s a good idea

• The herd mentality can move a bad idea very quickly

• It’s OK to disagree– But don’t be belligerent!

Leadership & Activity Plan Approvals

• Activity plans can be cumbersome to get approved

• Depending on the organization, moving quickly can be difficult

• Leadership terms can be too short to move on some long term objectives– This underscores the critical importance of

strategic planning• The challenge of leadership continuity

What Makes A Good Non-Profit Leader?

Don’t Avoid the Realities

The role of leaders is to make sure the realities of today are identified and discussed to make a better tomorrow.

» Jim Collins

Leading in the Non-Profit

• Good leaders ask questions• Good leaders draw people into the discussion• Good leaders make the best team members

– Seek out the leaders for your team • Good leaders analyze situations & problems

and facilitate solutions• Good leaders want to make a difference• Good leaders aren’t afraid of controversy

American Society of Association Executives

• Leadership isn’t a static body of knowledge & tricks you can memorize or use over

• What worked last year or in another organization won’t necessarily work today or in this role

• Leadership requires flexibility & changing based on circumstances

• Good leaders care about the organization & want to make it better

Non-Profit OrganizationLeadership Attributes

• Interest & personal passion• Come to meetings prepared

– That means you’ve read the materials• Fulfill assignments between meetings• Don’t hesitate to ask tough questions

– Even when it’s not a popular question• Look for ways to improve the organization• Constantly assess your performance

– Ask yourself the question “Am I being a good leader?”

Be a Change Insurgent

It’s no longer enough to be a “change agent.” You must become a change insurgent – provoking,prodding,warning everyone that complacency is death.

» Robert Reich

Trends in Non-Profits

Current Hot Topics

• Governance–Sarbanes-Oxley implications are still

being felt– IRS implications

• Budgeting & financial planning–The economic downturn makes this

critical

Current Hot Topics

• Streamlining Operations–Long-standing programs & structures

are getting a hard look• Leadership identification & development• Strategic planning

Trends to Watch

• Increased reliance on staff–Watch for this to change as budgets

face continued pressure• Proliferation of new non-profits may

be slowing & consolidations may be accelerating

Trends to Watch

• Budgets are tougher to get approved• An explosion of volunteers is coming

–The retirement of the baby boom generation will create a new generation of volunteers with time on their hands

• Volunteers may become scarce in the near term

How Do You Get Involved?

How Do You Get Involved?

1. Pick the organization or issue that matters to you• Your interests/passions & community or

professional benefit should be #1 influencers

2. Let leaders know you’re interested in becoming active

3. Be prepared to write a check first in some non-profit organizations

4. Look for their leadership training program

5. Seek opportunities to advance

How Do You Get Involved?

6. Follow through on any assignments you accept

7. Don’t avoid fundraising roles (This may become most valuable and visible role in many non-profits due to budget cuts)

8. Meet with volunteer leaders or organization staff to discuss opportunities & your interest

9. CAUTION: Don’t over-extend yourself by taking on too much

Where Do You Fit?

• What sort of role do you want to fill?• Choose the role that interests you and grow from

there• Do your best, but be thinking about your next

assignment• Always make your interest in more responsibility

known to other leaders

The Need for CPA Leaders is Acute

• Time pressures, family obligations & retiring baby boomers combine for a leadership void

• CPAs are in a unique position to provide leadership for non-profit organizations

• Financial management skills are critical for non-profit success

• Don’t limit yourself to financial management roles ---- use this as an opportunity to grow your leadership skills

Finding the ActivityThat’s Right For you

Finding the Activity That’s Right

• The importance of feeling personal interest & personal passion for the organization or activity

• Weigh your employer’s interests• Professional activities vs. civic, service & social

welfare organizations• Consider new skills you want to develop &

how volunteering can help perfect them

The Challengesof Non-Profit Leadership

What Are The Challenges?

• Budgets are being cut• Learning to navigate the organization’s process

can be frustrating & time-consuming• You don’t generally get to pick the team you’ll be

working with• Fluid organization agendas

– Lack of strategic planning focus• Lack of continuity meeting to meeting• Time pressures affecting volunteer performance

What Do You Do ToGet Involved Now?

What To Do To Get Involved?

• DON’T WAIT ---- decide where you want to get involved

• Talk with your employer ---- get their support• Determine how much time you can commit

– Don’t forget to consider family obligations• Be prepared for the questions “What would you

like to do?” and “Why this organization?”• Make the call & volunteer!

A Closing Commercial

7 Measures of SuccessWhat Remarkable Associations Do…

• A multi-year study applying Jim Collins’ “Good to Great” research methodology to associations

• A great resource for all not-for-profits• What stands out for exceptional associations?

1. A customer service culture

2. Alignment of products/services with mission

3. Data-driven strategies

4. Dialogue & engagement

5. CEO as broker of ideas

6. Organizational adaptability

7. Alliance building

http://www.asaecenter.org/Marketplace/Bookstore

2 Closing Thoughts

It’s always better to try a swan dive & deliver a colossal belly flop than to step timidly off the board while holding your nose.

» Tom Peters

Questions & Discussion?

GOING BEYOND YOUR CPA:POSITIONING YOURSELF FOR LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

J. Clarke Price, CAE – President & CEOThe Ohio Society of CPAs

800.686.2727 [email protected]

GOING BEYOND YOUR CPA:POSITIONING YOURSELF FOR LEADERSHIP SUCCESS