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.
Similar quotes
Leadership is happening, but it's not coming from the leaders of the old institutions. Everywhere you look, you see these extraordinary, sparkling new initiatives that are under way.
The true leader must submerge himself in the fountain of the people.
Holding individuals accountable for corporate wrongdoing isn't ideological; it's good law enforcement.
One who is mild rather than forceful has greater capacity for outreach.
As a coach, you've got to do what's best for the team. If guys don't like it, they're going to leave. If they stay and don't like it, well, your team's going to suck anyway. Even if this happens, you still have to do it. You can't coach worrying about any individual.
Responsibility is a unique concept... You may share it with others, but your portion is not diminished. You may delegate it, but it is still with you... If responsibility is rightfully yours, no evasion, or ignorance or passing the blame can shift the burden to someone else. Unless you can point your finger at the man who is responsible when something goes wrong, then you have never had anyone really responsible.