Courageous Leadership

"The wisest mind has something yet to learn"
-George Santayana

In the fall of 2010, in partnership with Columbia College, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s Carolina Academy for Nonprofits expanded as a result of implementing a nine-credit graduate level certificate program. The Nonprofit Leadership Training Certificate program was designed for nonprofit leaders who were recognized as having great potential and who were ready to take their nonprofit leadership to the next level.  Through the collaborative partnership with Columbia College, we have seen first-hand the transformative power of bringing nonprofit leaders together to enhance their knowledge, skills and framework to lead nonprofit organizations in an ever-changing society. 
 
However, as we reflect upon the overwhelming success of the program to date, a dynamic truth emerged as it relates to leadership. When I considered the core values of both entities, this Foundation (collaboration, compassion, justice, respect and courage) and Columbia College (commitment, confidence, competence and courage), I quickly recognized that there was one core value in which we both shared and was interwoven throughout our work – COURAGE. 
 
Each year since the inception of the Nonprofit Leadership Training Certificate program, I have watched as nonprofit leaders entered our doors not knowing what to expect, but with a determination to go through the process and to graduate stronger and more empowered to lead. Whether from a very large organization or from an organization that was just getting off the ground, these leaders met the challenge offered to them. While they brought with them various missions, characteristics and principles that helped them succeed, the Academy faculty, the curriculum, the class sessions, the assignments, the discussions, the activities – were all grounded in ways in which the student/leader could glean the skills to lead with courage. 
 
So you may be asking, “What makes a courageous leader?” To begin, it may be helpful to share with you what Ron Edmonson, leadership strategist calls the 7 characteristics of Cowardly Leadership:

•  Says “I’ll think about it” rather than “No”…even though no is already the decided answer 
• Avoids conflict…even when it is necessary for the good of relationships and the organization 
• Never willing to make the hard decisions 
• Pretends everything is okay…even when it’s not 
• Bails on the team when things become difficult 
• Refuses to back up team members 
• Caves in to criticism…even if it is unfounded

On the other hand, Ron Edmonson offers 7 Traits that Separate a Leader of Courage: 

• Takes risks others are unwilling to attempt 
• Invest in people others are willing to dismiss 
• Empowers people while others wait for them to completely prove themselves 
• Faces conflicts others avoid 
• Challenges the status quo with which others have grown contented 
• Embraces change others ignore 
• Remains steadfast when others are departing

So here we are, 15 graduates later and with 9 students currently enrolled in the program, continuing our commitment to inspire nonprofit leaders to lead courageously. After all, Samuel Johnson said it best, “Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.”  


Katrina Spigner is senior program officer for the Sisters of Charity Foundation

Choices for the Poor Are Often Difficult

We all face scarcity. It is the fundamental economic problem of having unlimited wants or needs and limited resources. However, the choices a person or family struggling financially faces are quite different than the average income person or family. And with the current economy and high unemployment rate many more families are now faced with these difficult decisions.

Some people have the luxury of going to a grocery store and purchasing items because they like them. If they want to save some money, they may opt to purchase a generic brand of the item, but they still make the purchase.  A person who lives in poverty faces very different “trade-offs” and often the choices are not easy ones to make. For example, a low-income individual may have to choose between filling a much needed prescription or paying the electric bill. It may be the choice of getting  a meal or going hungry. Maybe they have a part-time job and need to pay for child care to work.  The wage earned to work may not be much more than the cost for a child care provider.

Therefore, low-income families must decide what is most important at that very moment. It is not what they like or desire, but what their current greatest critical need is. If they don’t pay the electric bill then they won’t have heat and lights. If they are fortunate to have a job, how much will child care cost? What about transportation costs and if the only option is public transportation, is it available? If you add into the equation a sick child or other unpredictable expenses then the choices become even more precarious. 

Many times we read about poor people being irresponsible. But I believe that, in many cases, it is not about responsibility but about priorities, and the priorities are driven by financial challenges which require complex decision-making. Choosing between your job, your health, your child’s health, food, medicine or electricity are pretty hard decisions.  I recently met a lady that lost her job and home because two of her children became severely ill at the same time and she had no support system or safety net. She is currently living in a homeless facility in the upstate and trying to get back on her feet. Her circumstances left her with few choices and life as she knew it quickly cascaded out of control. There are thousands of people in the same boat.

As we think about the challenges we have in our own lives, it is important to put those challenges into perspective. Even though we often show empathy to those less fortunate, I am not sure we truly understand their plight. I will never forget the words of the lady in the upstate, “I live by faith and I want to be the best mother I can be, and work hard every day so I can provide for my children and live without depending on others for help.”

Difficult decisions and monumental consequences are a way of life for those living in poverty, day in and day out. Their hopes and aspirations may be no different than ours but their path to getting there is very different. Being mindful of the choices others have to make is part of the learning landscape. If we understand what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes, then I think we will be more apt to respect their circumstances a bit more.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina