Behind every successful nonprofit is a staff who believes in their mission. Your staff is your fuel. One of your most critical opportunities to re-fuel is the inevitable executive search. Develop your leaders, challenge your team, but most importantly, hire right.
Experience is good but alignment is essential
A successful hire starts with understanding that finding your unicorn isn’t just about certifications or experience—it’s about alignment. The people at the top are the champions of your mission, and their passion has a domino effect on your team’s impact. A mission-minded executive has the ability to bring clarity, energy, and purpose for your entire team, and their lack of mission-alignment could do the opposite.
That’s why mission alignment has to be a filter, not a feature, in your search. That’s the secret – it sounds simple, yet too often, mission-alignment is overlooked. Organizations often save the “why” for later in the hiring process, focusing instead on metrics, management style, experience, or even personality. The most impactful leaders stand out for their purpose first. From the very first conversation with each candidate, put your mission front and center. You are immediately gauging interest, because if it’s not there, they’re not the one. That’s what it means to filter your candidates by mission.
Vision casting is a two-way street
As you discuss your mission, be clear about your organization’s vision for the future, the impact you’re making, and the stories that bring that impact to life. You’re looking for a two-sided conversation that gets the candidate excited; an aligned candidate lights up at the thought of joining that story.
This kind of alignment can take time to find. A mission-aligned candidate could emerge internally, out of your network, or from your community, but nobody can force the most convenient option into a match. If you’re feeling the pressure to fill a role quickly, consider what’s at stake if you wait for the right person. A bad hire can cost far more than a few more months of searching. Transition periods distract from your mission, but not to the extent that a bad hire could. Your team needs both efficiency and patience. Follow a structure that allows honest conversations, thoughtful vetting, and room for discovery. When the right person comes, they’ll be ready to commit not just to the job, but to the journey.
Finding your match takes resources and time, but you can expand your resources and accelerate your timeline when you work with a team of experts. Vanderbloemen specializes in executive searches for nonprofits, and our team can connect you with qualified leaders who are called to your mission. Connect with us today if you’re looking for someone who goes beyond checking boxes.
