Moving From Service to Systemic Change
This edition of The Leadership Lab explores the transformative power of nonprofit advocacy: why moving beyond direct service to systemic change is a leadership imperative, and how to use your voice to drive lasting impact.
Advocacy is often misunderstood as “politics,” but for nonprofit leaders, it is one of the most direct paths to fulfilling a mission. While direct service meets the immediate needs of our communities, advocacy addresses the root causes of those needs. True leadership requires us to step into the arena of public influence, building the strategic relationships and narratives necessary to champion the causes that matter most. Read on for resources!
LISTEN & LEARN
🎧 How to Advocate for your Nonprofit (Nonprofit Leadership Series): Learn how to build relationships with elected officials and why advocacy is a natural extension of your core mission. Listen here »
🎧 How Nonprofits Can Navigate Uncertainty (HBR On Leadership): Janti Soeripto (CEO of Save the Children US) shares how to lead through political shifts and use advocacy as a primary service during crises. Listen here »
READ & REFLECT
📄 “The Science of What Makes People Care” (SSIR): To be an effective advocate, you must understand the psychology of your audience. Explore a framework for using storytelling to move people toward action. Read here »
📄 “Why Your Nonprofit Should Advocate” (North Sound ACH): Addresses the “lobbying vs. advocacy” myth and explains how to navigate the legal landscape while driving systemic change. Read here »
WATCH & GROW
🎥The Power of Advocacy | TEDx
Xiomara Torres delivers a powerful TEDx talk on how one person’s voice and the willingness to advocate for others can change the trajectory of lives and entire communities. Watch here »
TRY IT OUT
Advocacy Capacity Tool (ACT!): Use this tool with your organization, team, or group to measure your advocacy capacity, gaps, and room for growth. Check it out here »
Looking for more, or want to take a deeper dive? Check out our advocacy worksheet and journaling pages!
Advocacy Worksheet
Advocacy Journaling
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