Survey results (yawn): 2/3 of Executive Directors plan to leave. The shocker? 1/3 plan to stay!

On Monday, the results of the newest study on nonprofit leadership were released by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services and the Meyer Foundation.  They’d surveyed 3,000+ executive directors on issues ranging from career paths to boards and the impact of the recession on their organizations. The results of the survey were very similar to other types of studies that have been done recently, essentially stating:

• Boards are not performing their duties as they should be (in this case, almost half had not reviewed the Executive Director’s performance within the past year).
• The recession is having a large negative impact from the recession (again, no surprises).  
• Nonprofit organizations have dwindling operating reserves, if any. 
• Few organizations are providing executive coaching, though respondents feel it is  “a very effective professional development” tool.   

I’m not quite sure why organizations keep funding this type of research.  Perhaps to continue to validate the findings of the previous one, two, three studies? 

What surprises me, thinking about the depths of the economy, the lack of support from Boards, and the stress of the executive position, is that 1/3 of nonprofit leaders want to stay in their roles.  Bless their dedication and strength!  

So - let's say we get it now.  Let's say we see that nonprofit leadership is stressed and in serious trouble.  What do we do?   I suggest that’s what we need a study to figure out – let's get some answers.

I have one suggestion.  How about starting with better executive compensation?  I’m not talking about millions here – I do believe in staying within a reasonable range.  But I object to the extremely low pay they usually get.  It limits the market of who can afford to take these positions. 

Let’s actually treat these leaders - their positions - as if their organizations, staff, and all the thousands (millions?) of people they serve depend on them.  (Not to mention the animals, the planet, the arts, and other worthy causes…)  I suggest we stop worrying about what it might “look like” and think more about paying them what they actually deserve for their work.  Let's think about the value of the role to society.  How's that for a project. 

As I said, it's a suggestion… your thoughts?