In honor of the U.S. Open, let’s look at two lessons that you and I can learn from the world of golf to apply to our leadership today.

I once heard a prominent psychologist make a joke that people think marriage teaches people about love, companionship, and conflict, but in reality, the most essential thing marriage teaches us is how selfish we are. 😳

He had a point. When invested in and healthy, marriage helps us grow emotionally, socially, and spiritually, helping us to become less selfish and more loving in the process. 

In that moment, I remember thinking… no, he’s wrong – marriage is just the minor league – parenting is the real teacher of selfish you really are!

If marriage is a graduate education in personal growth, parenting is a post-graduate degree. 🎓

Have you ever found that when you look back on your life, certain patterns emerge?

I guess that’s why they call hindsight 20/20.

We are designed to be in community together. To be embodied. To be present, physically, emotionally, spiritually. To belong. 

What do Apple, Disney, and Blockbuster have to do with leading an effective and thriving charity in the 21st century?

A lot.

Two of these companies – Apple and Disney – made their way back to greatness, and one failed so fatally that it no longer exists.

Every charity leader I’ve ever worked with has at times keenly felt the sting of two truths:

A) There are too many things to do, and

B) There are not enough resources to do all of them.

As leaders, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the list of things we should be doing, and yet, the resources we have to do anything about it are comparatively small. 

In today’s subscription economy, the irony is not lost on me that the first recurring giving program in our nation’s history was referred to as a “communal subscription.”

If I asked you if you would rather be known as a philanthropist or as a generous person, which would you want to be known as?

Sustainable Giving continues to be a bright spot in the fundraising landscape. 

So today, let’s look at a topic I’m asked about regularly – how can you persuade donors to become sustainers? 

I was reflecting on the role of the people in my life that I’ve learned from, drawn inspiration from, and admired in some way. 

In reflecting, I read through some personal journal entries from several years back. I noticed a pattern, especially in areas of struggle or uncertainty, or when making a big decision.

In every circumstance where I wasn’t sure what to do or had a decision to make, I referenced a conversation with someone who helped inform my next steps. Someone with experience. Someone wise. Someone with a vested interest in me, who knew me, someone I could ask questions to. 

One of the most important things charities can do to grow sustainable giving is to create an ongoing value proposition. 

It all started with a question – what are the surprising ideas at the intersection of causes and brands?

It’s hard to believe, but we’re coming up on four years since launching the Purpose & Profit Podcast. 

Over the past few months, I’ve kept an AI diary. To compile this post, I reviewed the dozens of ways I’ve used artificial intelligence tools, grouped them into categories, and summarized them with examples. 

Today we’ll look at part one of how I’m using AI-based tools. 

Have you ever noticed that the more you learn about something, the less you realize you actually know? That the deeper you go down the rabbit hole, the deeper the rabbit hole gets?

This phenomenon of early overconfidence, followed by self-doubt, and eventually by mastery and humility has been studied, and it has a name – The Dunning-Kruger Effect:

I’m a dad now of two young ladies, ages 14 and 11 – Paige and Emma. I find myself asking more and more – are we teaching our children to be generous? Am I teaching my children to be generous?

Some days, I’m afraid the answer is an unconscious “no.”

Cumulatively, I’ve spent thousands of hours working on, studying, implementing, and speaking about recurring giving.

Today, let’s look at ten of the most common mistakes leaders make when building and growing their recurring giving programs.

In honor of this milestone, I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned on this journey so far. Some of these insights are also relevant to leadership and being a good friend or colleague.