As many times as Richard and I have seen bad attitudes and heard excuses, we’ve also witnessed amazing turnarounds from MGOs who have embraced the “yes I can” attitude and have become wildly successful and happy in their work.
Major gift officers can learn a lot from well-run customer service companies like Ruby Receptionists. MGOs should practice WOWism too!
As you work today on your caseload and talk to donors, remember that life for them is not all nice and tidy. They have other things to think about and do – things that may pull them away from giving you their full attention.
There may be other things your development manager wants, but these ten come from my 30 years of experience of managing, watching others manage, and sitting at the feet of wise managers who have given me wise counsel.
We in the non-profit world have a tough time with taking our work too personally. This work you do every day requires that you hold on, but not too tightly. To take it seriously, but not too personally. To do hard things, but to do it with joy.
A poor attitude can creep up on you, find its way into your spirit and slowly steal your ability to utilize your talent in the amazing way you know you can.
Twice monthly, Richard and Jeff address current topics and classic problems in major gift fundraising.
