Encouraging leadership skills at every level of your nonprofit is a good practice. It is important to identify and foster the leadership strengths that are already present among your staff, as well as create development plans for each person to foster growth and help them acquire new skills.

Forbes recently identified the types of leadership that help an organization to succeed, including:

• Community leadership –someone to bridge the gap between executive ideas and execution in the community.
• Problem-solving leadership – individuals who run to solve problems instead of run from them.
• Rising leadership – giving young employees opportunities to demonstrate their unique ideas and potential.

But the most critical function for a charity, especially within the development office, is marketing and communications leadership. As John Lyon of World Hope International states,

Communicating with donors and potential donors is vital, so an in-house communications and marketing professional is an important leadership role every nonprofit should have. These individuals help steer fundraising campaigns in ways that are meaningful for donors by ensuring that messages across all channels and locations are strategic, cohesive and impactful.

Whether you hire in-house staff or use outside consultants, it is vital to have a communications specialist for your organization. Developing messaging, formulating calls to action, and focusing on the donor’s journey and experience with your nonprofit are all important steps. They tell your organization’s story and are essential for your organization to thrive.