Trista Harris at New Voices of Philanthropy and Christopher Scott at Nonprofit Leadership, Innovation, and Change are talking about the importance of professional development for a successful nonprofit career. They share their positive personal experiences with coaching and mentoring to help them as nonprofit leaders.
Says Christopher Scott:
I’ve been a recipient of the Anthony Robbins Coaching program since February and I can honestly say its been one of the greatest commitments I’ve ever made in my life. My coach is Mike Savage, who is amazing. To know you have someone that’s pulling for you 24/7 and is going to be there to hold you accountable is a great feeling.
Trista also shares her experience:
One year ago I was selected as an Association of Black Foundation Executives Connecting Leaders Fellow. To say that my selection was a career defining moment, is an inadequate understatement. When I applied for the program I was aware that I would receive professional development, the support of a professional coach, and education on how to better serve the Black community through organized philanthropy. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was also going to receive a nearly limitless supply of seasoned mentors who had a vested interest in my success, as well as the “excuse” to dedicate time learning from those that have come before me in the philanthropic field.
Most nonprofit professionals don’t have the money to invest in a professional coach. And we all know that finding effective mentor relationships can be difficult. But Trista also has some good advice for those who don’t have the big bucks to invest in formal professional development (my bold emphasis):
Take a few minutes today and think about what your ideal professional development program would look like. Would you travel to see other foundations in action, would you interview the best and brightest in the nonprofit sector to see why some organizations thrive and others do not, would you read about the early greats in philanthropy to figure out lessons their giving can teach us abut philanthropy today? Once you have those key components in your head, I challenge you to go out and do it.
The only thing that is stopping you is you.
