All too often, my to-do list on Friday is longer than it was on Monday. Meetings, events, calls, and visits become work magnets, serving only to add to my ever-increasing list of tasks.
As the Executive Director for three nonprofit organizations, I know how overwhelming the job can become. Executive directors are often the only paid staff members at nonprofit organizations, left to shoulder the executive duties, as well as the corresponding administrative support. Getting caught in the weeds with paperwork and spreadsheets can divert executive directors from performing executive tasks that advance their organization’s mission. With budget demands and high expectations for outcomes, we are seeing executive directors spending more time in the tactical arena, even leaving the field for better paying positions requiring less time. Unfortunately, the executive seems to be seeping out of the executive director position.