sharonbroughton.com

Venturing out on my own (in my professional career) over the past two years has been challenging, exciting, fascinating, and an incredible opportunity to keep learning and growing. I wouldn’t be here without my friends, colleagues, clients and new connections. Thank you all for your encouragement, support and inspiration. It has meant so much to me. May you experience and share the strength of community, and the space for calm and restoration to welcome the new year. Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy, and peaceful holiday season. With gratitude, Sharon #happyholidays #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton #lifelessons #wisdom #solopreneur

Thank you, Adam James, for the fireside chat about life, leadership and the pursuit of less.   At this time of year when we’re inundated with messages about what more we could be, do, buy, and give, it was powerful to be reminded that our fulfilment, personally and professionally, stems from finding purpose in the space between enough and more.   In leadership, I think this means having a light and intentional touch, creating space for others to come forward and shine. It’s about staying present, asking thoughtful questions and having the humility to know you don’t have all the answers. It’s about co-creating social impact through connecting, collaborating and sharing expertise to achieve collective results.    We may well already be and have enough – and what we need more of is time to slow down, listen, learn and share insights to support the change we want to foster.     [Adam James, appreciating all the ways you share your light – as a coach, songwriter, entertainer, Singstagram creator, corporate event animator, Spirit Camp director, Tarot reader and facilitator of new and meaningful experiences.]   #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton #lifelessons #wisdom

I’m often asked about my Leadership Development practice, and what is involved. In short, I design and deliver tailored, intentional professional development support for leaders and managers committed to deepening the impact of their work and that of their team, in service to their organization’s vision and mission. It’s an individualized approach that goes beyond coaching to offer curated content from thought leaders across multiple disciplines to support learning and performance goals. Drawing on deep experience as both an Instructor in NP leadership and as a C-suite leader, we work to identify strengths and address blind spots, and use practical tools to build skills, develop confidence and create momentum for next-level results. Learning sessions focus on achieving goals, including review and discussion of resources; applying insights; practical application of new skills; reflection and feedback; and addressing emerging issues that surface in the daily reality of social impact leaders. And, by weaving in a sense of humour and down-to-earth examples of real-life situations facing all of us in this sector, there is a chance for mutual learning and bursts of inspiration. When we both light up on a topic, and a way forward, the magic happens :) If you or someone on your team is looking to develop potential with a purpose-focused, customized leadership development experience, let’s connect to explore whether this approach might be a fit.   [Quote is from “Intentional Leadership: The Big 8 Capabilities Setting Leaders Apart,” by Rose M. Patten] #leadershipdevelopment #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton

Sharing gratitude for the friends, colleagues and clients who have encouraged and inspired me on this journey. May this season of Thanksgiving bring you good health, hope for the future, and the gift of time to share gratitude and appreciation. #happythanksgiving  #happythanksgivingday  #thanksgivingcanada  #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit  #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton

Stewarding human talent – staff and volunteer – is essential to advancing a cause and to ensuring a sustainable organization with impact. Succession planning is a core aspect of long-term strategic thinking and can’t be a ‘one and done.’ Why is it so often missed by nonprofits, or placed on the back burner with items ‘we will get to at some point?’ From my front row seat through leadership succession and transitions at both the staff and Board levels, I have a good idea of the gaps that often exist, as well as a drive to support organizations to turn this deficit into an asset.   As a new alum of Third Sector Company’s Succession Planning Consultant Bootcamp, I’m inspired by what I learned: encouraging organizations to embrace the process; centering succession planning through an equity lens and in ways that build trust; focusing on creating an integrated culture of leadership; and working towards sustained strategic change. Talent stewardship is as important as fiscal stewardship. Just as we can’t ignore the financial piece of the strategic planning puzzle, we must consider how much there is to lose if we don’t prioritize succession planning and integrate this work as a core stewardship responsibility — to attract, retain, advance and celebrate human talent, with intention and courage. The consultant’s role as an external and experienced leader, facilitator and resource can support nonprofits with all aspects of building an effective succession plan — integrated with the strategic plan — from needs assessment to emergency planning, policies, talent development, tailored tools and initiatives, and more. If you’re weighing risks and challenges presented by organizational transition, change and succession, let’s have a conversation about how I might help you achieve your goals. Shout out to the talented training team and my alum colleagues in Canada: Jeffrey R. Wilcox, CFRE Randy Brinson Susan Adler Catherine Bradshaw Joan Baumgartner Brown Jan Glick @Julia Burns Ingrid Kirst Janet Schulman Debra Deen Kerby Denyse Newton Fiona Douglas-Crampton #successionplanning #nonprofit #nonprofits #nonprofitconsulting #facilitatingchange #changemanagement #socialimpact #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton

In the spirit of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and as a settler committed to listening, learning, and acting with intention towards reconciliation, I’m sharing a resource I found helpful. With gratitude to Emma M., a Board Director of the inspiring and Indigenous-led #IndigenousGatheringPlace in Calgary, I learned about @TheCircleonPhilanthropy's I4DM – The Indigenous Definitional Matrix. For those working to support and lead change in the sector as staff, Board directors, consultants, volunteers and donors, this tool’s identification of four broad categories for organizations is valuable, making clear what it really looks like to be an organization along the continuum from Indigenous-benefitting to Indigenous-led. By understanding the fundamental differences between each type with respect to leadership, values, protocol and reciprocity, our efforts can be better focused towards creating space and living in meaningful, reciprocal and intentional ways within our organizations. As an Instructor at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, I’ve integrated this resource into course content. As a governance volunteer, it serves as an essential resource for Board succession and strategic planning. As a consultant, interim leader and coach working with non-profits, I am committed to learning and unlearning with them in the development of strategy, policies and practices prompted by these reflections. Thank you to #TheCircleonPhilanthropy for offering this tool in the spirit of abundance, reciprocity, accountability and curiosity. Download the I4DM and explore the I4DM questions and guidelines for use here:  https://lnkd.in/gy8TnSEd #NDTR2024 #TruthAndReconciliation #CommunityVoice #MakeADifference #SupportIndigenousInitiatives #TruthAndReconciliation #callstoaction #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton

Teams who learn together not only build momentum toward achieving their goals, but also deepen their expertise by being able to directly apply the learning to their work. Seeking insights from each other as sounding boards in the ‘real life’ part of theory-to-practice can also reinforce and integrate new ideas, content and approaches. I was inspired to witness team learning in action last week as the facilitator for an in-person learning session on change management and systems change with provincial mission leads at Heart & Stroke. This exceptional team of committed leaders made the session more engaging (and a wonderful learning experience for me as well) as they shared their knowledge and experiences, and applied the concepts to systems change initiatives that advance their mission. I appreciated being part of this exciting and interesting project, and to be reminded of the power of in-person team learning in action. Thank you Carolyn Cyr and Liz Scanlon for the opportunity to support your work. Are you and your organization in the midst of a change project, or preparing for one? Do you have a favourite change management tool or process?  I’d love to hear more. Read the full testimonial at https://lnkd.in/gZq9pXik #changemanagement #nonprofitconsulting #teamlearning #navigatingchange #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #sharonbroughton

With thanks to clients, colleagues, fellow volunteers and friends in the social impact sector for your dedicated, meaningful and inspiring work. Here’s hoping you can find a moment in the coming days for rest and restoration, to breathe and reflect on the difference you’re making, and to gain perspective for the road ahead. Enjoy the long weekend, you’ve earned it! Sharon Photo: August 2024 at the Rock Dunder Nature Reserve #labourday #nonprofitconsulting #socialimpact #nonprofit #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #strategy #learning #charitableorganization #reflection #sharonbroughton

In a recent article by The Bridgespan Group, strategy development was described as “messy, iterative and laden with tough decisions.” I couldn’t agree more.   As a nonprofit consultant, I can attest to the fact that achieving strategic clarity “is not a sprint.” In supporting social impact organizations to create and refresh their strategic plans, I’ve seen how essential it is to get comfortable with the messy middle, to stay open to the big ideas, and to pay attention to divergent thinking arising from conversations with multiple stakeholders and team members.    In the strategy-building process it helps to recognize the mess as a stage that will yield benefits, and to exercise patience to avoid narrowing the focus too quickly on strategic options. I share this view with the high-impact leaders I have the privilege of working with, who are embracing the mess as we progress through the 'open-end of the funnel’ stage, leading toward a next-level strategic focus that will resonate for the long term.   For more information about our consulting services, please visit  https://lnkd.in/gfg2CXfG Link to the full Bridgespan article: bit.ly/4fDDNmt  #celebratethemess #divergetoconverge #impact #learning #strategy #nonprofitconsulting #sharonbroughton #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #impact #nonprofit #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors #nonprofitorganization #charitableorganization

Nonprofits making brave choices increase their impact. A significant challenge faced by social impact organizations in today’s crowded digital world is to effectively engage their audience, spark conversations, and reach new communities and supporters. It requires a creative, innovative and open-minded approach, wonderfully reflected by the recent campaign launched by #ParkinsonCanada.    ‘We are the bold, the brave, the beautifully unsteady.” This is the inspiring quote underpinning the #FindYourSwagger campaign. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s garnering attention and setting a precedent by flipping the narrative in positive ways. As a #ParkinsonCanada Board Director and family care team member for my mother living with Parkinson's, I'm moved by how well the national charity has lived its values in developing, launching and supporting this bold and novel outreach initiative. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eM6M8iu9   Scott Townsend Karen Lee PhD #Findyourswagger #ParkinsonCanada #Parkinson’s #nonprofitconsulting #sharonbroughton #leadershipcoaching #interimleadership #navigatingchange #npoleadership #strategicplanning #governance #npo #impact #nonprofit #nonprofitsuccess #boardofdirectors  #charitableorganization