In sports, the phrase, “eye discipline,” refers to the ability of an athlete to focus on the relevant and most important situational cues while not allowing their attention to be misdirected to irrelevant or misleading cues an opponent might offer. Eye discipline is critical to reacting effectively and quickly based on what an opponent is…
Author: Jason McNeal
I provide leadership, advancement and fundraising consulting services to educational, healthcare, and non-profit organizations.
A Tip
One late night, weary from a string of delayed and frustrating flights I found myself arriving in Atlanta and heading to the car rental facility on an empty stomach. As I departed the secured area, I saw the IHOP Express restaurant and walked to the register. A young man working there didn’t make eye contact…
Responding To An Upset Lapsed Donor
We’ve all been there. You are on a visit with a lapsed donor and after pleasantries are exchanged, the donor opens the flood gates and the issue that has them upset begins to pour out. Perhaps it was a perceived slight by the president or the CEO. Perhaps it was a decision that was made…
Life Endowments
Endowed funds have three components: The Principal – or the original gift that is invested and not spent. Typically, the principal is invested and not spent “in perpetuity,” or forever (or as long as the organization exists). The Return – or the earnings and interest that the principal generates. Typically, the principal is invested in…
Applause and Engagement
Applause from others shouldn’t be our goal, although it feels fantastic to receive. Engagement of others should be our goal, although it can feel messy and even difficult to obtain. When we seek applause, we put the focus on us, our team, our performance, our sense of perfection. We present statistics and stories that make…
The Greatest Con
It’s amazing how adapted human brains are to effortlessly catalogue each time we work hard, or we stay late, or we perform a task outside our job description, or we extend ourselves in some extra way. It’s equally amazing how adapted our brains are to minimize or forget altogether every time we loaf, or we…
Small Notifications, Big Distractions
I’ve watched in meetings as people’s eyes jumped to the corner of their laptop screens after hearing a faint notification bell. I’ve witnessed a gift officer turn her phone upside down on the table as the screen lit up only to have the buzz of vibrating notifications continue to capture the attention of everyone present….
Control
The concept of control is important in leadership. But the application can be misapplied. Great leadership doesn’t control people. Great leadership doesn’t control processes and methods. Great leadership doesn’t “control and command.” Great leadership controls the environment and the climate. Great leadership controls the context and the inputs. Great leadership controls the team culture. When…
The Dysfunctional Board
As is said to be true of families, a dysfunctional board will be dysfunctional in its own unique way. But, there are at least 3 contexts that will lead a board into some form of dysfunction over time if not addressed: A Board Chair Unwilling to Speak Directly – speaking directly doesn’t mean that the…
Perspective
“Explain your perspective on the proposed strategy to increase the number of first time donors?” Perhaps, this is the most important question for younger advancement professionals to address. Not, “what is the strategy?” Not, “what do you think will work best?” Not, “how efficiently can you get it completed?” Not even, “how effective will it…