$500M or $150K
“Who’s your ideal client?”
In a conversation with some other consultants this question came up not long ago. Most of the others spoke to organizational size, specific challenging circumstances, technical expertise, or particular causes they are best equipped to serve. I admired their clarity.
When my turn came, I found it harder to answer.
As I’ve reflected on the question, another day came to mind.
On back to back Zooms one afternoon this summer I had one hour PACE (Perspective, Accountability, Challenge, and Encouragement) calls with two leaders in dramatically different situations.
One leads a local program that helps newcomers find their place in a new community. She’s got a very small team, part timers and volunteers. They want to grow, but a lot of things are in early stages, and the leader is hands on with a lot of the daily details of the service they provide.
The second call was a CEO of a prominent international development charity with global reach and a massive network. Hundreds of staff, established systems, and the kind of brand recognition that very few organizations can match.
The annual budget for the first organization is less than $150,000. The second one is in excess of $500,000,000. That’s quite a difference.
But the thing is, both calls were actually quite similar. We talked about areas of progress and some struggles. We considered how to lead and support team members. We thought through the best ways to live out organizational values. And we wrapped up with them having a greater sense of clarity and confidence, and some possibilities for next steps where I may come alongside more members of their teams.
I’ve known both of these leaders for some time and I look forward to each time we meet. Both of them are in roles they love and feel deeply connected to. And both have days when the work is hard.
That’s true of every leader I work with.
So, my ideal client?
-A leader who is ready to be honest and real, able to acknowledge the good and bad they’re dealing with, open to some input and encouragement.
-A team who care about the cause they serve and know that working well together is key to results, willing to face the complexities of teamwork, and who sometimes need help to do the things that bring out their best.
I find these leaders in charities of all sizes, religious and not, addressing all kinds of causes. The crucial thing is their willingness to dig a little deeper, and the rapport we can build together that makes it possible for me to bring the combination of tools, questions, recommendations, and support that they need to be Healthy Leaders and Healthy Organizations.
I love my job!