I have recently observed the struggles of two nonprofits. While they work in two different service areas, they have similar struggles. Both agencies have hired, for leadership positions, people who lack crucial leadership skills.

In over 20 years of consulting to nonprofits, I find this to be a recurring and all too frequent issue. As a friend of mine is fond of saying, “there are lots of people in leadership positions, but there are few leaders in leadership positions.” That is true in both of these agencies. It is an area in which improvement is relatively simple. Here are some guidelines for nonprofits in addressing this issue.

First, develop a set of standardized interview questions about how people lead. Include how they handle leadership scenarios. Work with your best existing leadership to develop the questions and scenarios. This will make the interview more realistic.

Second, develop a series of leadership-related questions to send to references. The fact that someone is a reliable worker in one situation doesn’t mean they can lead in another.

Third, have final interviews be with a team of existing leaders, who need to have a consensus before you hire.

Finally, use a leadership assessment like those used by Ray Hoskins and Associates. Our behavior and competency-based assessments can help you identify leadership strengths and challenges. Then you can develop custom staff development strategies to develop your best leaders.

We have frequent conversations with people who want to own their own companies. Younger generations have a high percentage of people for whom this is a dream.

Regardless of the practicality or viability of a business idea, one of the best pieces of advice we can give to aspiring entrepreneurs is to learn to lead first. We frequently consult to small business owners who are incredibly frustrated with trying to go from being the business to owning a business in which others deliver the services, sell products, and make money for the enterprise in a number of ways. Most of the time, when we ask them about their preparation for leadership, they look puzzled.

They might have studied their craft, accounting, marketing, sales, and other skills they needed to succeed. But they were facing difficulties primarily because people didn’t want to work for them. Sadly, they usually believe the problem was in others, rather in themselves. Our Leadership Advising helps with accurate assessment and skill development.

We frequently help people start identifying their leadership competencies starting in the ninth grade. We help educators and youth programs develop basic skills, and work with adults to refine their skills to succeed even at the highest leadership levels.

So, if you ever think you want to be in a leadership position, whether as an entrepreneur or leading in an established organization, let us help you assess and develop the competencies you will need.