In reading The Six Secrets of Change by Michael Fullan, I am reminded why I like this book so much. 

Secret Five: Transparency Rules
While "transparency" has become the buzz word of the year, it is a true statement that whether we want transparency to be the norm or not, others are foisting it on us.  It's here and if we are lucky, it's here to stay.  That's not to say that there is not a down side to "transparency."  As part of my commitment to our staff, I have told them I will always tell them what I can, and when I cannot, I will explain why.  We have learned that funding for abstinence programs will end sooner than anticipated due to the Obama administration's priority shift.  As an organization, we understand this.  However, to fulfill my pledge, I did share with the staff.  This has resulted in an exodus, understandably, of our most qualified personnel to other organizations.  This places the programs in jeopardy and the organization as a whole, which is greatly dependent on that ever-so-diminishing administrative allowance included in the program funding.

6. Secret Six: Systems Learn
There is no one in Miami, despite what some individuals might think, who has all of the answers.  I like Pfeffer and Sutton's words - "[Leaders]...Have to be more confident than the situatiion warrants.  They have to develop leadership in others.  Be specific about the few things that matter and keep repeating them."  Many years ago, I worked in an organization where the CEO would "leave me in charge" while she was out.  This worked well unitl I made a decision in her absence with which she did not agree.  She made light of it and joked about it.  In the end, I had the last laugh...it was a good decision that kept us out of a lawsuit.  Until I left the organizaiton, however, I was hesitant to make any decisions in her absence.  The "leadership" I learned was that the CEO always was right -- even when she wasn't.

Fast forward to now.....I try to remember this and compliment anyone I leave in charge on some aspect of their leadership.  As I look around at the nonprofits we have in Miami-Dade, I am afraid that leadership is not being developed in organizations and seems to rise and set on the (current) exec.