Attributes of the Ideal Executive Director

What do you think are the attributes of the ideal Executive Director?

 This question was posed to me before the Executive Director Support Sessions which gave me plenty of time to overthink it.

 Ultimately, this is what I said…

 Executive Directors carry heavy loads. These loads are often different then other leaders and heavier because they don’t have as many people able or willing to help carry them. Executive Directors need hope, the ability to dream and the courage to push back the status quo. Executive Directors need to be able to have boundaries for themselves, their staff and the organization. They need to be able to listen deeply. Listen to staff, clients, board members, community, supporters and themselves. Executive Directors need to be able to trust and build trust. They need to be clear on their purpose and be able to share their purpose. Executive Directors need to be clear on their values and live into their values through their actions. Executive Directors need love and joy.

 I don’t know if this was the answer she was expecting, but it is what came to my heart.

 Of course, we then discussed the business skills needed – being able to read and understand financials, HR, leading a staff, etc.