When people are speaking, they require our undivided attention. We focus on them; we listen very carefully. We listen to the spoken words and the unspoken messages. This means looking directly at the person, eyes connected; we forget we have a watch, just focusing for that moment on that person.
Social-sector organizations have to be better managed than for-profit organizations... because they have no margin of error.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Social-sector organizations must be managed with greater care due to their limited resources and higher stakes.
Frances Hesselbein emphasizes that social-sector organizations, which often operate on tight budgets and rely heavily on the impact they create, must be managed with stringent practices and excellence. Unlike for-profit organizations that can absorb failures and mistakes more easily, social-sector organizations cannot afford to make errors because their mission often involves serving vulnerable populations and addressing critical societal needs.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership seminar focusing on nonprofit management, this quote can inspire attendees to prioritize effective management practices.
More from Frances Hesselbein
All quotes βIt takes courage for a leader to identify and confront self-imposed barriers, to put in place the personal strategies required to unleash the energy, innovation, and commitment to self-development.
Women are working for part or all of their adult lives now. The possibilities are limitless, but you need to prepare.
The real leader redefines or defines the mission in a very powerful way so that people understand it; it permeates the organization.
Leadership is not a basket of tricks or strategies or skills that you pull out. Leadership begins with the quality of the person.
In my life, I don't have roadblocks and obstacles. I might have something you would call a 'challenge.' I throw that out the window, and I call that a wonderful opportunity.
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A leader can give up anything - except final responsibility.
My dear sisters, whatever your calling, whatever your circumstances, we need your impressions, your insights, and your inspiration. We need you to speak up and speak out in ward and stake councils.
One of the things it's so important for any city government is to have the trust of the public.
There is a long history of founders returning to companies and doing great things. Founders are able to set the vision for their companies with an authority no one else can.
You must do as your people do. If my people are poor, I must be poor. People ask me, 'Why don't you find a personal coach or a private car?' I can't. Then I won't be part of my people.
Consider what it takes for successful businessmen and businesswomen, effective entrepreneurs and hardworking associates, shrewd retirees and idealistic students to combine forces with a creative pastor to grow a "successful church" today. Clearly, it doesn't require the power of God to draw a crowd in our culture. A few key elements that we can manufacture will suffice.