“There is a noble but deeply misguided belief that leadership requires broad shoulders and an ability to stand under pressure alone.” This insight from Tod Bolsinger’s Canoeing the Mountains has been on my mind lately as I’ve worked with nonprofit leaders and board members navigating today’s complex and uncertain landscape. Leading a nonprofit has never been easy, but the volatility of our current climate has only made the work more demanding. That’s why it is critical to remember what Bolsinger emphasizes: leadership is always relational. To effectively steward our communities—and to sustain ourselves in the process—we must rely on the network of colleagues, mentors, and confidants who can help us navigate challenges. Leadership is not a solitary endeavor. Recognizing that you are not alone is often the first step toward overcoming the obstacles ahead. Recently, moss+ross partnered with TowneBank to offer two dozen nonprofit CEOs an opportunity to reflect, learn, and connect with one another at the NextLevel Conference for Nonprofit Executives. While the sessions on board management, strategic planning, and fundraising were valuable, the most meaningful aspect of the day was simply the time spent in community with fellow leaders. The chance to share experiences, exchange wisdom, and build relationships proved to be the most fortifying takeaway. Likewise, our upcoming partnership with the F.M. Kirby Foundation will pair leaders from Kirby-funded organizations in Durham with a moss+ross executive coach. Over six months, participants in the F.M. Kirby Triangle Leadership Program will experience firsthand the power of having a trusted guide walk alongside them through the inevitable peaks and valleys of leadership. Who can you reach out to this week for insight, counsel, or simply a listening ear? Put it among your priority tasks to make that call—and do it. Not only will the companionship serve you, but it will likely enrich the leader whose comfort you sought. The path forward is always clearer when traveled with others. If we at moss+ross can help you feel less alone as you navigate your leadership journey, please connect with us. If you are leading an organization and would like to explore how we could help you develop your board, staff or grantees, we’d be honored to have a conversation with you! | 
