Don’t Hate Everyone at the Same Time

Let’s get real for a minute. Sometimes the work of an executive director means you hate everyone – your team, your board, your clients. The trick is to not to hate everyone all at the same time.

Last week was a rough one for me. People were NOT happy, and they clearly blamed me. It doesn’t matter how much time you put into planning and check-ins, there are going to be times when people are NOT happy, and that is going to mean you are not happy. I was NOT happy last week.

The trick is to not to hate everyone all at the same time.

It might be those all too often snide comments from a board member. It might be a parking lot conversation between employees instead of coming to you. It might be a client who thinks they understand a procedure, but clearly does NOT.

What’s a girl to do?

I have a few go-to’s that I try before I drive to the grocery store and buy a huge chocolate cake to eat by myself.

When I am seriously ticked off with some members of my non-profit world I press pause on the work with that group and give a little extra attention to someone else. Sure, I’m just ignoring the problem, but sometime working in another area helps me to think in a different way and that helps me find a new perspective to solve the problem.

That little bit of time away from the source of the problem, can also help me to blow off some steam. Be it an hour, a day, or a week, taking TIME away can really help to remove some stress and create enough of a mental break that I feel better prepared to handle things when I come back.

Finally, it is OK to embrace the fact that right now, you don’t like your people. As an executive director, I spend a lot of time making things work, making people feel heard, and biting my tongue when what I’d really like to say is...... It might surprise people to learn that we executive directors are human, and we don’t like getting treated like crap. I'm not going to yell and throw things, but if I need to be angry, then I'm going to be angry.

You don’t need to yell and throw things, but if you need to be angry, then be angry.

If you can try to not to be angry at everyone at the same time, then you will have a far better chance of waking up and wanting to go to work in the morning. And if that doesn’t work, drive to the grocery store, buy the most decadent chocolate cake, and DON’T SHARE.

I hope you’ve found these ideas helpful. If you have a question, please leave a comment, or send me a message. I’d love to help you out. Talk to you soon. 😊

-Christie

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Hi, I'm Christie Saas, former board member, current Executive Director, and non-profit volunteer. I remember well, those early years when I lacked the training, the confidence, and the work-life balance to focus on becoming the best non-profit leader I could be.

Fast-forward past many bumps in the road, lessons learned, and you’ll find me still in the trenches, but a little wiser, a little calmer, and a whole lot happier. I love my work and I want to help you love yours too.

I created ChristieSaas.com to give you tools, tips, and templates to remove the mystery of learning to run a small non-profit. If you’re a brand-new non-profit leader, or a little more seasoned, someone who’s looking to make a meaningful contribution and still have time for a full life away from the job, you’re in the right place.

© Christie Saas 2021 All Rights Reserved

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