I just had a rather depressing conversation with a gentleman I met recently who has been the Executive Director of a small but well-known charity in the Ottawa area for 25 years. For the better part of 90 minutes, this gentleman lamented how his agency depends almost entirely on government funding with the occasional project grant for its survival.

When I asked whether his organization tops up their revenue with any type of fundraising, he remarked they hadn’t in a long time. Special events are too much work, they had virtually no donors and attracting support from corporations and foundations was always an uphill struggle.

Worst of all, he said his board was totally apathetic and possessed toxic and hostile views toward fund development. According to this gentleman, none of his board listens to his suggestions nor do they offer any support. Essentially, this Executive Director is in full “Robinson Crusoe mode”.
Instead of devoting the bulk of his time to helping and having a transformative impact on the lives of others in need, this gentleman is preoccupied with completing funding reports, continually researching grant opportunities and simply trying to keep the charity afloat.

When he asked my opinion as to what he should do, I kiddingly said he should think about leaving. Amazingly he agreed! He admitted that it’s clear he’s lost the room, the board is hopelessly disengaged and his passion for the organization is gone. I assured him I wasn’t serious. Yet he revealed that he is strongly considering submitting his resignation.

The truth is sometimes we reach a point where it is in the best interest of all parties for a leader to step down. A fresh perspective of a new figurehead may be exactly what the group needs. The current act is tired and any direction provided is little more than “white noise”.

At the same time, this gentleman should be good to himself for a change. Retire if he is in such a position, and consume lots of “me time”. Alternately, he should reignite his passion by bringing his talent and acumen to a new organization that is eager to create real positive change in their community.