Adapting to Change in Nonprofits with Dr. Richard McPherson
In this episode, Dr. Richard McPherson explores key challenges nonprofit boards face in embracing innovation, including risk-taking and the integration of AI technology. He offers valuable insights on how nonprofit leaders can navigate organizational change, collaborate with similar organizations, and make strategic decisions to drive mission-focused impact while adapting to the evolving nonprofit landscape.
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Host, Jen Knox Shanahan:
"...if you were to give some advice to emerging nonprofit leaders who are looking to make a meaningful impact in their communities with AI and with the climate that we have now, what advice would you give them?"
Guest, Dr. Richard McPherson:
"...you'll be invited, probably all of you, to join lots of boards or lots of committees and so forth. And it's tempting to accept those invitations either because you owe somebody a favor, or it would look good on your resume and so forth. I would say that if you want to really have an impact, especially in a rapidly changing world, make sure that the board you're on is for an organization where you have a really genuine, strong feeling, a passion even for the mission. Don't see it as another business transaction. If you feel very, very strongly, then first of all, you'll be sharing the same motivations that the executive and the staff have. And I think that will lead you to make more decisions based on impact rather than business calculations."
Host, Jen Knox Shanahan:
"Great advice, especially with emerging leaders. And it sounds like you're talking about more long-term sustainability, too."
Guest, Dr. Richard McPherson:
"Well, I think above all, there are all kinds of...social and cultural changes and legal and regulatory changes, but it all pales beside the specter of AI...I suspect that many nonprofits are slower to embrace AI training...to see how it's going to affect their organization...I don't have a nonprofit client now, but...I wouldn't spend a penny paying humans to write a lot of this material. I would have it all done by AI, because it would be as good now, but the problem is, so now do we fire the people?...And a nonprofit who also sees themselves to some extent...as an important employer in the community, that's going to be the big, the big decision."
Richard C. McPherson provided management and communication consulting to nonprofit boards and executives including NPR, PBS, the NY Public Library, Catholic Charities, Cornell University, the Center for Investigative Reporting, many children’s hospitals, and women’s rights organizations in the US, Europe, and Hong Kong. He taught at Columbia, New York University, and UCLA. Click here to learn more about McPherson.
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