Only 14% of employees feel their performance is managed in a way that motivates them, according to Harvard Business Review.

How to combat that disheartening statistic was the focus of the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative’s (NPLI) Feb. 16 Leadership Forum on Coaching and Development led by Tricia Perkins from Lake Effect HR and Law, LLC.

NPLI regularly surveys nonprofits to discover their greatest training needs and human resources is a topic that rises to the top in requests. Nonprofits don’t typically have HR departments, so their leaders are looking for guidance.

Tricia Perkins

During the half-day Leadership Forum, Tricia guided the 78 nonprofit leaders in attendance on where to start — organizational goals and strategic direction. In addition to sharing her experience as an HR professional, Tricia allowed space for attendees to learn from each other. Small group discussion supplied excellent examples of how to communicate organizational goals, drive engagement, celebrate successes and manage difficult conversations, which all lead to better management of employee performance.

Barb Zarneke of the National Association of Tax Professionals shared, “The topics covered were exactly what I was looking for and I am able to bring various ideas back to the office to explore in the short term.”

Attendees were asked to share one thing they learned and plan to implement at their organization. This attendee encapsulates what many said, “We’ll make sure all staff have knowledge of the strategic plan so we can link yearly staff goals to coincide with organizational goals.”

Because of the generous support of NPLI’s donors, Leadership Forums are offered free to nonprofit staff, volunteers and board members within our service area. Nonprofits outside of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region service area may attend for a nominal fee.

Annette Look, NPLI Program and Communications Manager

The Nonprofit Leadership Initiative within the Community Foundation is a partnership of Fox Valley-area nonprofits, funders, educational institutions and businesses dedicated to providing resources needed by effective nonprofit boards and executive leaders. NPLI offers a wide range of leadership, management and technical skill-building programs, as well as peer learning circles, to the entire nonprofit sector in the Fox Valley.

We support  NPLI with a grant from the Community Vision Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, one among many community partners supporting NPLI. Click here to learn more.