Why Does Professional Interim Leadership Make Sense?

Voluntary or not, the departure of the executive leader creates understandable anxiety at many levels in nonprofit organizations. Experienced, creative interim leadership during this period can be crucial. A stand-in manager from within the organization seldom works, and few Board members have the time for a second full time job. A better answer is to hire a professional interim manager from Non-Profit Transitions.  We use the interim period to create positive organizational change. We provide insight, leadership, and action during the transition. We help the organization secure a brighter future by providing experienced non-profit executives to assist you in making your transition period a “time of opportunity".

How Can Interim Periods Lead to New Insights?

Many Boards rush into hiring a new CEO. They brush off the old job description, and opt for a “holding action” until the new hire arrives. There is extensive evidence that a less hurried, more structured transition period, featuring critical self-examination, is a better route to produce positive lasting results. It ensures that the eventual permanent CEO, hired after careful preparation, will have the maximum chance of succeeding in leading the organization to greater accomplishments.

Changing leaders should always prompt the Board to undertake a basic re-assessment of the organization’s:

  • strengths and weaknesses,
  • responsibilities to stakeholders
  • mission and goals, and
  • expectations of the new CEO.

The outcome of this re-appraisal process should inform the executive search process. NPT has assisted numerous Boards conduct critical analyses, and then worked with professional search consultants to produce superior leadership outcomes.

How is Working with NPT Different?

We believe that beyond searching for a new CEO, Boards should seize the transition period to:

-       assess the state of the organization objectively;

-       address deferred issues that need attention; and

-       create a positive spirit of change and anticipation for the future.

These are complex and strenuous challenges. They take time and energy and more organizational development skills than most Boards possess.  NPT’s professional Interim Executive Directors can lead this change management effort on behalf of the Board and deliver new insights and understandings which will aid the Board’s search process, as well as assuring that day-to-day operations are managed effectively.

NPT professionals are change agents, not place holders. We prepare the organization for a brighter future by working directly with the Board to make sometimes difficult decisions and adjustments. The assessment may uncover needs in other professional areas like finance, development, human resources, or information technology. NPT’s associates can step in quickly to provide cost-effective responses to strengthen the organization. At the same time our Interim Executive Directors know from experience which decisions and permanent changes are best left for the new CEO.  

We believe in a focused team approach, with one point of leadership contact for the hard-pressed Board of Directors. During the demanding search process we provide professional executive leadership, not a supplementary consultant resource.