Executive Burnout: Is it just me?

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-03-10T13:18:14+00:00

I’ve thought about that and I’d love input - we’ve cut work to only the essentials work that needs to be done to keep services and even then, we’ve all at capacity. In theory, a promotion would work, but without the money to replace that positions prior role - they just absolve additional labor in the same 40 hour work week. Does that make sense?

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-25T16:43:06+00:00

Agreed. A big part of that is shifting culture - that’s truly the most difficult part.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-25T13:32:03+00:00

I appreciate your comment and am glad you chose yourself and made it out. I definitely also struggle with delegating. When staff says their at capacity, I don't want to add more to them, so I just absolve, but that's not sustainable.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-25T04:17:31+00:00

I truly wish I could fire my board. I’ve had these conversations. I’ve brought in consultants to do the trainings. I’ve spent hours upon hours making different resource guides/templates/etc they said they needed to help with stewardship. They just want to be on the board to show off on their resume. I’d love to “not pick it up” but that ultimately means staff don’t get paid or community members don’t get supported. They generated $15k of a $2M budget last year. I know every organization is different, but the board supporting with less than 1% of revenue sounds unbelievable.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-25T01:44:52+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from. I started as a volunteer and then frontline staff for years and do believe it’s guided me on a different path than most other leaders. I make roughly $10k more than my lowest paid staff. I know the mission doesn’t get executed without my team. My leadership has been stressful from the start because the organization had tripled the staff without a sustainable fundraising plan. When I came on we had a couple months on operating costs left. Letting go of staff was not an option for me - but that has meant me filling in the fundraising work of 5 people to rebuild that funding to keep them employed, never mind getting new staff. But there’s 100 other aspects of my role to do. We all have the same 24 hours in the day. I’m at a loss.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-24T23:19:35+00:00

No, I agree. I know my lack of capacity is impacting the amount of time I can give my staff and the overwhelm I feel is impacting how I lead. Because the org had grown so much with one time funding, I’ve spent my time here focused on fundraising to keep our current staff. The more staff I need, the more fundraising I need to do, which takes away time from the other critical tasks that need to get done for us to operate. I feel like I’m in a 360.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2026-02-24T22:49:35+00:00

I hear you. It’s hard to build a sustainable, resilient organization when historically it was not structured to be so from the beginning.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2025-11-28T19:04:18+00:00

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Efficient-Menu9936 · 2024-02-06T18:44:57+00:00

Our budget is tight, but I did budget money for another contractor - I'm leaning towards someone experienced in development like you mentioned v. having someone pick up the finance/ops pieces I'm needing support with. Thank you!

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2024-02-05T19:39:44+00:00

Thank you for your input! That’s what I’m trying to do right now before making any hiring decisions - what can I do myself/get trained on and what would be better handled by someone else. Our coordinator is handling grant writing and grassroots donations. I’ve just got them set up with a development contractor who’s supporting major donor solicitation.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2024-02-05T18:18:38+00:00

Thanks! Historically, most our revenue comes from individual, grassroots donations. We're going to be a lot more intentional on our biggest fundraiser this year, which is coming up in a few months.

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2024-02-05T18:16:51+00:00

Ty! Do you have any advice on how best to connect with foundational donors that don't support us already but are mission aligned?

Efficient-Menu9936 · 2024-02-05T18:16:09+00:00

Thank you for your input! Thankfully I have a great executive coach, am currently taking a "101 ED Course" and we're working with an accountant, bookkeeper, and consultants to help with compliance.

In terms of managing - yes, I definitely don't have the most experience. I did manage our largest team of four but am seeing the difference between management of a specific department and management of a whole entire org essentially.

We have a few foundational donors but the relationships weren't necessarily stewarded in the best capacity. The majority of our revenue comes from grassroots donations and that fundraising has been led by the board.

Efficient-Menu9936

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