Leadership fatigue is real.
Welcome to:“The Friday Fwd”
Hey Leader,
Let’s keep it real. This time of year can feel like trying to run a marathon in flip-flops.
The energy is low, calendars are scattered, and somehow you are expected to keep the team motivated, the board engaged, and the mission alive… all while pretending summer’s slowdown doesn’t hit different when you're in charge.
“If no one’s said it lately: I see you.”
This season has a sneaky way of making even the most passionate leaders question if they're doing enough, or worse, trying to do it all just to keep things afloat. And what I know for sure is this: if you let the mission stall now, you can’t expect everyone to return in the fall ready to sprint. Even power walking might be a stretch.
That’s why summer is less about slowing down and more about intentional pacing.
Motivating your board and staff doesn’t have to mean grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s the smallest touch points that keep momentum alive and people connected to the "why."
Don’t forget to lead yourself, too.
While you’re guiding everyone else, don’t forget to extend that same energy inward. You’re not just the driver; you’re the engine, so don’t forget to take care of you!
That means more than squeezing in a vacation day or promising yourself you’ll rest “once I power through 347 meetings.” I’m talking real, soul-filling rest.
The kind that reminds you that you’re a person before you’re a position.
Protect your peace, guard your mornings, schedule the massage, take the longer lunch. You can’t be the light for others if your own flame is flickering.
Now, let’s get into it. Just a few power-packed notes ahead - quick enough to scan, real enough to stick - so you can keep everything aligned, energized, and yes… still on board and on brand.
Put It On Your Radar
Midyear Strategic Planning = Make or Break Season
Right now is the perfect time to check the pulse on your strategic plan. Is it gathering dust?
Are your goals still aligned with your current capacity?
Pro tip: Schedule a 30-minute “strategy stand-up” with your board exec committee. Discuss one win, one challenge, and provide one update. This small strategy session = huge momentum. Hello, board engagement!
Wellness Check
Summer is the perfect time to slow down and check in. Here's one grounding question I want you to ask yourself and then answer honestly:
“What part of leadership feels heavy, and what would it look like to set it down…even temporarily?”
(P.S. It’s not lazy. It’s smart.)
Get On Board
Need a summer re-engagement plan for donors or your board? I created a quick cheat sheet to help you do just that.
Download the Summer Donor Engagement Checklist or Want to strategize before fall, for fall? Let’s talk. Book a Quick Consult
ICYMI - In Case You Missed It!
Here’s a curated dose of inspiration and insight: perfect for sharing with your board, team, or saving for a quick leadership reboot:
Article: An Antidote to Nonprofit Burnout – Chronicle of Philanthropy
A timely read that digs into the reality of board and staff exhaustion and that offers clear steps to counter it moonshots.io+1facebook.com+1philanthropy.com+2philanthropy.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.Podcast: The Heart of Leadership, Part 1 – Dare to Lead (Brené Brown)
Who doesn’t love Brené. Here, she sits down with Aiko Bethea and Ruchika Malhotra to explore belonging and the emotional labor of leadership. A power-packed reminder of why leading from our whole selves matters. Woosah!Article: Fundraiser Burnout Is Hurting Charities. New Report Explains Why, Offers Fixes – Chronicle of Philanthropy (April 15, 2025)
Eye-opening insights into how empathy can be exhausting and what organizations can do to offer real relief philanthropy.com.
Before we go:
Here’s to less burnout and more boldness.
Rest if you need to. Realign when you must.
But whatever you do, don’t lose your fire.
Wishing you wellness & wins,
