Effective leadership is key to success across every industry, but managing a team in a critical field like healthcare – where good leadership is a need-to-have, not a nice-to-have – can feel especially stressful. Leaders must constantly strive to increase their knowledge and expertise, as well as keep up with the latest innovations in an industry that’s always changing.
But how can already-busy leaders find the time to improve themselves, so they can improve their teams and their organizations? Online training offers the solution – there are many advantages of taking nonprofit management courses online.
Why Is Nonprofit Management Training Important?
An organization is only as effective as its leadership, and the nonprofit world is no exception. But which traits define a good manager… and which traits make a great manager?
Effective managers clearly communicate goals. For employees, few things are more frustrating than not knowing exactly what you’re working toward. Setting realistic goals and creating a strategic work plan is a smart first step. By clearly communicating goals and guidelines, a good manager gives their team the tools they need; a knowledgeable team that understands their goals and their responsibilities will be more productive.
Managers should set realistic expectations. When staffers know what they’re supposed to be doing and feel confident that their leaders share this understanding, they’re more likely to feel satisfaction in their job. When you do need to step in, be sure to provide smart, actionable feedback: It’s easier for team members to improve performance when they’re given a clear outline of what they need to work on.
Good managers personal relationships with employees. Building personal relationships with team members is another key to success. Get to know your staff so you can connect with them and create relationships based on trust. Nonprofit work is serious stuff, often dealing with serious issues… which means it’s easy to burn out. Building positive relationships can help a good manager care for their team.
Managers lay the groundwork to build a healthy organizational culture. Good managers take the lead in building a nonprofit culture that’s both healthy and imbued with passion for the cause. Managers who remain focused and grounded set a positive tone in the workplace that team members can follow.
How Can Taking Nonprofit Management Courses Online Help?
So how can a good manager become a great manager? Ongoing professional education is always a good idea, and taking online courses can be useful and very accessible.
Online education is more convenient. When calendars are already packed, taking online nonprofit management courses offers a solution. It’s easier to work digital courses into a tight schedule. For many busy professionals, online coursework is simply more convenient than attending in-person trainings.
You can revisit content or share it with coworkers. If you happen to miss a webinar or just want to revisit content, you can go back and re-watch at your convenience. Another plus? If you find the content valuable, you can easily share it with your colleagues. You definitely can’t do this with an in-person class!
The incredible variety of online courses means it’s easier to find the content your nonprofit needs. Taking nonprofit management courses online opens up an amazing amount of resources. With a wealth of available content, you can find a course that’s tailored specifically to your organization’s needs.
Online courses connect you to a global community of nonprofit expertise. It can be difficult to find the specific knowledge or resources your nonprofit needs, particularly if you’re located in rural areas, which can so often lack access to resources. With online education, not only can a nonprofit manager in rural Idaho learn from an expert based in Jakarta, but attendees of online “classes” can share their experiences with each other.
With this peer support comes potential solutions – if a manager at a nonprofit on the other side of the country or even the planet has previously dealt with a situation you’re facing now, you can learn from their experience and discover new solutions.
When it comes to an organization’s success, good leadership makes all the difference. Whether you need to help keeping up with innovations and emergent issues in your field, desire specific trainings, or just want to improve and grow, online nonprofit management courses offer an effective solution.
Capacity for Health believes in helping nonprofit managers around the country learn and grow, and we offer in-person and distance-based training and coaching. Learn more with our Resource Library, or email us at c4h@apiahf.org.
