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Leadership Training/Mentoring Corner - March Situation

THE LEADERSHIP TRAINING/MENTORING CORNER

In the August 2025 Newsletter, we started a series called “The Leadership/Mentoring Corner” in which we posed a thought-provoking situation for you to think about and put yourself into, asking yourself, “What are your next steps?” 

MARCH LEADERSHIP SITUATION

Sam is the Executive Director of a non-profit public charity organization that provides support to the homeless community in a large metropolitan city. The organization has been in continual operation for more than 30 years and its founder (Harold) treats the organization like it is his own personal charity, in that his name is part of the name of the non-profit, he is only available to meet when he is not running his electrical business or traveling and he demands to part of every meeting and every decision that is made.

The organization has primarily been funded over the years by monies received from an annual sporting event. This event has become less popular over the years because fewer major nationally famous sports figures attend and support the annual event for a variety of reasons. 

Last year, this sporting event raised the least amount of money ever, and the organization was forced to discontinue one of its benefactor’s programs. 

Sam has been attempting to rebuild the board of trustees, which could bring in some new ideas, direction, and potential donors. But Harold has been resisting for fear of losing control over “his charity”. 

What should Sam’s next steps be?

Please provide us with a brief write-up of what Sam’s next steps are. Send your write-up to Lynn Rosado at [email protected]

In our April 2026 Newsletter, a team of Silver Fox Advisors will respond to what they would have recommended Sam do based on the situation detailed above.