Non-government organizations (NGOs) are essential organizations in today’s society. In the eyes of many, they are considered living saints because of the help they give to people in need without asking much in return. Some people believe that NGOs are the main reason why society flourishes over time because without them, there are not many out there willing to give people a chance.
With over a million NGOs in the U.S., it’s hard to determine the uniqueness of each one of them. But because of the different ideas and approaches that each organization has, we’ve determined what makes them so great. It’s the leaders in these NGOs that define these things. In the greater scheme of things, an NGO is only as good as its leader.
You might think that you’re up for the task. You might think that you can aim for a higher position in the NGO you’re working for because of the empathy and understanding you’ve built within yourself. But being a leader in such an essential organization is not as easy as that. You’re going to need some knowledge as well.
Knowledge Is Power
You might have started with only a high school diploma when you’ve started to work for your local NGO, but making your way up is going to demand a lot of things for you. You’re going to be in a position of power, and despite the experience you’ve built throughout the years, it doesn’t come close to the learning you would get from universities.
Most leadership positions in NGOs usually require a bachelor’s degree or higher to apply for the position. However, for even higher positions like the executive director, you need at least a master’s degree before they even consider nominating for the spot. This means that you’ll have to go back to school and build up your knowledge. A good degree to start is in business administration.
Business administration will teach you the intricacies of running an organization and how to make it self-sufficient, the goal of every NGO. Other related fields of study are also quite beneficial if you want to pursue them instead. Study first, and consider applying for a leadership position once you’ve attained your first degree.
Invest in Yourself
After attaining your degree, you’ll also have to invest in yourself if you want to become a good leader. It might be smart to invest in a transformational business coach. These kinds of coaches help identify your strengths, and you can apply them to your organization. Given that you work for an NGO, they might consider aligning some of your good traits with the mission and vision of the organization.
You should also consider attending workshops that teach you how to become a better leader. There’s a ton of online classes out there that look into the world’s greatest leaders and what makes them so unique and special. Grabbing some of these classes may help you pick your leadership traits. This is essential if you’re planning to steer your NGO towards a new direction.
Consider Visting International Communities
NGOs are found worldwide, and each has its own unique set of traits and approaches. All of them are knowledge vaults waiting to be opened by you. Some of the approaches we do here in the U.S. might be outdated. Other international NGOs out there might have found new ways to become self-sufficient. It’s important that you know to find out more by visiting and working for other NGOs out there to find new approaches you can bring back home.
Don’t know where to start? The Global Journal has labeled Oxfam, Partners in Health, International Rescue Committee, PATH, and CARE, to be some of the best NGOs in the world. Consider working for them to expand your knowledge.
Serve the Community More
Nothing else will expand your experience and knowledge other than serving the community more. Giving yourself to people, learning their unique stories, and becoming a part of their lives is a humbling and fulfilling process. Unfortunately, not many people have access to such an experience, and you should get the best out of it.
By serving the community more, you can understand what makes them tick, their general dreams, and how they view your NGO. These are all essential knowledge you’ll need if you’re planning to be the leader of your NGO in the future. It will help you steer the ship into the right path and better serve the community in the future.
Leaders aren’t born. They’re made through life experiences. This is the same for many leaders in many NGOs out there. So if you think you’re ready, it’s time for you to take the path of becoming the next leader in your NGO.
