Foundation leaders may not have much time for self-reflection and self-development during normal working hours. And, as far as I know, there is currently no professional development programme specifically for foundation directors/CEOs or chairs. So it’s likely to be up to us to organise our own development. And a good place to start is with the topic of leadership in the social/voluntary/not-for-profit sector.
This is a list of resources that offer a range of different perspectives on leadership. None are specific to the foundation sector but they are a good starting point to help leaders develop a framework through which they will lead their organisation, its people and activities.
I suggest looking at the summary of each to select the resource that is most relevant to you now – and then dive into that one. The others may not currently be useful – but they may come in handy another time.
Other suggestions are welcomed.
1) Living Values (Community Links):
Because values (consciously or unconsciously) underpin everything we do:
https://cdn.catch-22.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/WEB_living_values_final.pdf
2) NHS Leadership Framework:
Because leadership needs to be intentional and structured to be effective:
https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Leadership-Framework.pdf
3) Clore Social leaders’ Capabilities Framework:
Because leadership in the social/voluntary sector is different (not special – but distinct from leadership in other sectors):
https://www.cloresocialleadership.org.uk/social-leadership
4) Social Change Project (Sheila McKechnie Foundation):
Because leadership in our sector is about creating positive change with all the tools available:
http://smk.org.uk/wp-content/files/SMK_SocialChangeProject_Digital-Pages.pdf
5) Seven Levels of Consciousness (Barrett Values Centre):
Because our sector and its leadership should be rooted in clear progressive values and should challenge acts and systems based on regressive values:
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