Benefolk’s Post

Tomorrow I am going to ask over 20 Senior Leaders to prioritise themselves! Prioritising ourselves is rarely on the “to do” list, and it would be the easiest thing in the world to delete the a much needed event out of your diary. But before looking and consider cancelling, I am going to ask them to take a moment and decide not to. Because I know that everything gets easier when we prioritise ourselves and we get intentional about how and who we are being, what we do and the way we do it. It’s so easy to get sucked into being too BUSY we often don’t realise how much more that means we need to stop, take stock and regain some clarity and focus. I urge you to make yourselves the priority. As a senior leader working for a charity, you are in a unique position to make an impact on the world, with the opportunity to inspire others, build and develop teams, and ensure that team efforts go towards meaningful change and you need to make sure you're firing on all cylinders! Make yourself the priority tomorrow at 12:30 and join me for The Senior Leader Power Hour. There are a couple of spaces left: https://lnkd.in/e6hEqcse #seniorleader #leadership #strategy #impact #charity #theleadershipcatalyst #TLC #seniorleadercoaching #groupcoaching

The final day of #SmallCharityWeek is with us. ⭐ Today's hot topic: HR and people management Our guest blogger of the day is the wonderful Fran Borg-Wheeler from Heart-Centred Leaders and she has kindly shared her top tips for charity line managers. We all know the power of a good line manager but being a good one takes work. These tips offer up some inspiration to help you be your best for your team and your charity. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eq_z-Cci #Charity #SmallCharityWeek #LineManagement #Leadership

Today is the last day of #smallcharityweek and I'm grateful to Charlie Medcalf Hayter for sharing my "4 Top Tips for Charity Managers" blog. Charity Managers are the glue which holds together the team. Yet, often, they have to find their own way when it comes to their Line Management function with little or no support. I hope you find at least one of the tips helpful. Here's a flavour to whet your appetite! 1) Prioritise thriving 2) Be an intentional leader 3) Lean into Challenging Conversations 4) Harness the Power of Kindness Which one resonates most with you? #smallbutmighty #charitysector #notforprofit #charities #managers #leadershipdevelopment

https://lnkd.in/eg-UYR2M Here's the link to my blog: 4 Top Tips for Charity Line Managers: https://lnkd.in/eq_z-Cci

Great 4 point plan here

Have you ever felt like being a Senior Manager is being stuck in the middle? Are you constantly striving to bridge the gap between the CEO and your team? Are you uncertain about your next steps since there are limited options for progressions in your current role? As a Senior Leader in the charity sector you experience a unique set of challenges on a daily basis - and you are therefore uniquely positioned to drive positive change. TLC supports the Senior Leaders to create a peer community that empowers the most experienced leaders to excel. TLC could be just what you have been looking for! Find out more out here >> https://lnkd.in/engpWcdr #CEO #leadership #strategy #impact #charity #theleadershipcatalyst #TLC #ceocoaching #seniorleadercoaching #groupcoaching

When you hear the phrase "fundraising growth" which image are you drawn to? The one on the left or the one on the right? I've written a short piece about fundraising and coaching - and readiness for coaching in particular - and why I think the image on the right has to have more of our attention. You can read it or watch a short video here: https://lnkd.in/eerTuCkv #fundraising #leadership #sustainable #growth #people

I got a lovely email in response to this post whilst I was away last week. Something along the lines of "you had me at the picture!" - Do I need to work on my words more OR follow the images that generally, for me anyway, come first? - As I continue my quest to live my values (today is "fun, with serious intent") please send me a picture to weave into a blog OR an idea/some words in search of a picture. I'll see what I can come up with... - Possible topics/themes can include #fundraising #creativity #problemsolving #thinking #walking (more on that soon) and #backtoschool #backtowork #unstuck

Sometimes the hardest part of leading a charity isn't the funding challenges or strategic decisions – it's feeling like you’re shouldering it all alone. The buck stops with you, and the responsibility can feel isolating, especially when you feel you need to have all the answers, to always be there, to look after everyone else. But here's what I've learned from working with charity leaders: this pressure to appear unshakeable is exactly what deepens the loneliness. As the wonderful Brené Brown puts it, 'Vulnerability is the birthplace of connection and the path to the feeling of worthiness.' Perhaps the bravest thing we can do as leaders isn't to hide our challenges, but to share them. To admit when we're uncertain. To reach out when we need support. To show that leadership isn't about being superhuman – it's about being human. Because when we open up, something remarkable happens. We don't just find support – we make it possible for others to do the same. And gradually, we build the supportive relationships that transform loneliness into connection. If you're a charity leader feeling this today, know you're not alone. The sector is filled with others who understand exactly where you are. #CharityLeadership #LeadershipSupport #ThirdSectorSupport #LeadershipLoneliness

Why Coaching Matters for Charities One of the most rewarding parts of my journey is the work I’ve been able to do with charities and non-profits. These organisations are the heart of our communities, tackling challenges with purpose and passion - often with limited resources. This morning, I had a great conversation with Tracey Hartshorn, another coach, about this very topic. We shared our thoughts on how the economic pressures facing charities - rising costs, declining donations, and increased demand for services - are stretching them to their limits. Leaders in this space are navigating incredible challenges while staying deeply committed to their mission. But it’s not just about budgets or strategy, it’s also about emotional resilience. Many charity leaders and teams are facing "compassion fatigue" - the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes from continually supporting others in difficult circumstances. Coaching can provide a vital space for them to reconnect with their purpose, process their experiences, and build the tools to sustain their energy and focus. Whilst coaching is often valued in large businesses and corporate companies, it is just as - if not more - important for charities. Why? Because their leaders and teams are solving complex problems, building meaningful connections, and driving change every day, often against significant odds. Coaching is about: ·     Helping people uncover their potential ·     Strengthening teams to work with clarity and resilience ·     Empowering individuals to make decisions that align with their values and vision And it’s about equity. Coaching can play a crucial role in diversifying leadership - supporting individuals from under-represented groups to gain confidence, skills, and opportunities to lead. When we invest in coaching for charities, we’re not just building stronger teams, we’re challenging inequities, broadening representation, and making sure leadership reflects the diversity of the communities they serve. Supporting charities through coaching means empowering them to keep making a difference - even when the economy and emotional strain are working against them. What do you think? How can we better prioritise - and profile the impact of - coaching in charities, ensuring that leaders and teams have the support they need to thrive in these challenging times and continue making a meaningful impact? #Coaching #Leadership #EquityInLeadership #CharityWork #RepresentationMatters #CompassionFatigue #ProfessionalDevelopment #ResilientLeadership