141: Nonprofit Success in an Age of Disruption (Dave Lenox)

SUMMARY

Many nonprofits experience periods of volitivity as a result of leadership turnover. Covid has accelerated some nonprofit leaders to leave an organization after many years of service. In episode #141 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, Dave Lenox, a former nonprofit executive director and current managing partner at The Valtas Group, explains the numerous resources available to organizations during these transitions.  He and Patton discuss how a firm like Valtas provides guidance and stability during a turbulent time.  Retaining an interim leadership position allows a board to be forward thinking, not reactive, when assessing their current needs and the overall direction of the organization and how it executes its mission. Dave dispels the misnomer of consultants who “come in with all the answers” by explaining the analysis he performs, the results of many of those findings, and how a unique team of listeners work in collaboration with existing personnel and board members to help find their own solutions.  You’ll also learn how regular personal self-evaluation and reflection help guide nonprofit leaders through difficult transitions.  And finally, Dave introduces us to the Distributed Leadership Model.  He shares why more organizations are embracing this new management philosophy and how it may already be morphing into a new system of delegation.

ABOUT DAVE

Dave is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit, change management, and organization design and management fields. He’s skilled in international relations, inclusive governance models, organizational development, social media, and training with a Master of Business Leadership focused in Organization and Change Management from Capella University. Before joining The Valtas Group, Dave served as President and CEO of Special Olympics Washington. Dave began with Special Olympics (SO) in 1985 as Area Director for the Kansas City, Missouri area, later becoming Executive Director for SO West Virginia, and in 1989 he became CEO for SO North Carolina. In 1997 Dave was recruited to join the Headquarters office of SO as Director of Athlete Leadership Programming. He was the key strategist in the effort to develop leadership and education initiatives that support and advance the work of the Special Olympics Movement. 

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES 

• In Search of Excellence & Excellence Now by Tom Peters

• Find out more about The Valtas Group

• Can you sharpen your vision by planning a personal retreat? Learn how in Patton’s new book, Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership coming March 8, 2022.