Christlike Leadership Can Shape the Future for Non-Profits

How can Christlike leadership shape the future for non-profit organizations? Non-profits are a crucial part of today’s world. They often provide services to underprivileged communities and advocate for changes that benefit society as a whole. And while most people understand why non-profits are essential, many individuals also have a false perception that non-profits are a dysfunctional or challenging place to work. 

In reality, non-profits do face a unique set of challenges, and they need a particular type of leader to successfully execute their mission and help as many people as possible.

In many ways, non-profit businesses are the perfect place for a Christlike leader to use their skills. Non-profits are inherently selfless organizations and operate to serve people in need. Consequently, their employees often accept a lower salary and fewer benefits than they would garner in the private sector.

A Christlike leader can do a lot of good in a non-profit organization by using their leadership style to motivate their team and create a working environment that emphasizes service and kindness. This philosophy benefits both the employees and the people dependent on the non-profit’s services. 

What is Christlike leadership?

A Christlike leader is one who puts others before themselves. Instead of leading to make themselves look good or to avoid difficult tasks, they lead to elevate their team and help them do their best work. Their goal as a leader is to make the entire team successful, not just themselves. 

To achieve this goal, Christlike leaders lead with integrity, honesty, openness, and humility. In a situation where they have to choose between a benefit to themselves and a benefit to their team, they will choose their team. Christlike leaders also take responsibility for their mistakes and the mistakes of their team and work to rectify those mistakes instead of hiding or downplaying the situation.

Christlike leadership in non-profits

Any organization can benefit from Christlike leadership, whether in government, the private sector, or a non-profit. But in the non-profit world—where it’s common for employees to work long hours for less pay because they believe in the organization’s mission—this type of leadership is crucial.

Non-profit leaders must be able to work with limited resources and open doors for their employees so that they can be successful in furthering the non-profit’s mission. Because they can’t always offer the benefits or rewards that private companies might be able to, they also have to find other ways to incentivize and inspire their employees. Non-profit leaders often have to lead their teams through uncertain situations and help them not just make it through, but also allow them to continue to thrive and be successful.

All of these tasks require selflessness, dedication, and humility. They require leaders that think of other people first and find joy and fulfillment in their team’s and organization’s success. 

Christlike leaders have these qualities at the forefront of their personality, and they are a perfect fit for leading in the non-profit world. A non-profit leader’s most important job is creating an environment where their team is empowered to be successful. Creating such a situation comes naturally to Christlike leaders, whose primary goal is to use their skills to help others become their best selves. 

The future of non-profits

The world is changing at breakneck speed, and non-profits have to change with it to continue providing services to the people who need them. There are so many new opportunities for non-profits, from technology allowing them to communicate with more people to big data helping them pinpoint their donor demographics and reach out to them more effectively.

This industry will also continue facing new and growing challenges in the future, like keeping up with technological changes and finding ways to make their leadership more diverse and equitable to mirror the population changes in the US.

Christlike leadership is crucial for taking on these challenges and opportunities. Christlike leaders understand the importance of equity and serving as many people as possible. Every day, they strive to create an environment where their employees feel supported and comfortable in speaking up and sharing new ideas. This style of leadership will help non-profits thrive going into the next decade.

How to start your career in non-profit leadership at Geneva College

At Geneva College, we understand the importance of Christlike leadership, and we have developed curricula that prepare our students to go out into the world and bring Christlike leadership wherever they work, volunteer, or worship.

The Non-profit Leadership track of our online Master of Science in Leadership Studies program will give you all the tools you need to work and lead successfully in the non-profit world. We provide a Christ-centered academic community for our students, where they learn how to be the best leader possible while still centering their faith.

If you’re ready to take the first step towards a career in non-profit leadership, visit the program page today to get details on courses, tuition, careers, and more.