When we summarize and repeat back what we heard from a colleague, it irons out mistakes and wards off fear of failure while creating clarity and alignment as well as strengthening the team’s commitment to the direction toward its goals with a keener ability to learn from mistakes.

Nonprofits that can zig when others zag by effectively using tech are quicker to succeed in fundraising and building communities. Tech-savvy organizations strengthen belonging to a cause and unite their communities with ease and efficiency. Here's how those nonprofits are doing it in 2023:

We almost went out of business and everyone was looking for jobs.

It’s ancient history now but 2007 was a tough year. It was the Great Recession and we were preparing for a new event and new awareness campaign the following year. If that wasn’t enough, all of us could expect our boss to literally look over everyone’s shoulder everyday to see what they were working on.

Looking back on it now, I can honestly say the worst part was not the challenges of starting something new or doing it during a bad economy. The whole “looking over the shoulder” part was terrible.

Holding others accountable for their actions can be as easy as a three-step process. I’ve tried and it works nearly 100 percent of the time.

Annual reviews are a waste of time. We haven’t done one in almost a decade. 

In the last week, I’ve come across several reminders from large recruiting firms reminding companies that it’s important to hold an annual review. 

One did an informal poll and an unbelievable 65 percent still do annual reviews. Why are we waiting months to tell people what they’re doing well and where they can improve? 

We almost went out of business and everyone was looking for jobs.

It’s ancient history now but 2007 was a tough year. It was the Great Recession and we were preparing for a new event and new awareness campaign the following year. If that wasn’t enough, all of us could expect our boss to literally look over everyone’s shoulder everyday to see what they were working on.

Looking back on it now, I can honestly say the worst part was not the challenges of starting something new or doing it during a bad economy. The whole “looking over the shoulder” part was terrible.

Someone on the radio the other day said rock and roll is dead. Dream on!

While I’m not about to make the case for belting out a Queen song in the shower or blaring the new Blink 182 song during your next Zoom call, being a rock star teammate is when we inspire those around us to want to be a better person.

Our best selves are always under construction. I struggle sometimes at being at my best and I've made plenty of mistakes over my life so far - drank too much in the 90s, been divorced, and made a few dicey hiring decisions. What counts most is getting it right in the moment. What I mean about being a Rock Star is when we live our lives leading by example. Here are 11 ways to be one among your colleagues…

One of our cause heroes at a ZERO Prostate Cancer Walk was all smiles as she crossed the finish line last month. I had asked her about it and she said, “I just love my ZERO Family”. It was the highlight of the month for me so I immediately told the story to my team: How after losing a loved one about three years ago, they helped put some of the light back in her eyes.

I added something like “all of your dedication to showing others they’re not fighting alone makes patients, caregivers, and families better off every day.” It makes us feel good to hear stories like that. When we do - we commit to being our best selves.