At the 2025 Nonprofit Technology Conference, I stood in a room full of brilliant, exhausted leaders for my session: "Congrats, you’re a manager. Now what?"
As we talked, I felt a wave of relief wash over the room. It wasn't because I had all the answers—it was because everyone realized they weren't alone. We were a room full of accidental managers. You know the story: you’re amazing at the mission, you hit your goals, and your "reward" is a promotion into a management role that nobody actually taught you how to do.
That session was the spark for our 2026 Nonprofit Management Readiness Report. We wanted to know: Is it just us? The answer was a resounding "No." Our research found that 77% of nonprofit managers feel like they were tossed into the deep end without a life vest.
In the tech world, we would never deploy a critical software update without a framework, a beta test, and a support manual. But in nonprofits, we often "launch" managers with little more than a new title and a "you'll be great!"
Why "winging it" is exhausting
In the tech world, we would never deploy a critical software update without a framework, a beta test, and a support manual. But in nonprofits, we often "launch" managers with little more than a new title and a "you'll be great!"
It’s not just stressful; it’s a setup for burnout. Our data shows that 60% of new leaders feel like they’re failing within their first two years. This isn't a "you" problem; it’s a support problem.
To fix it, we need to stop treating management like a personality trait you’re born with and start treating it like a simple operating system—a few reliable rhythms that keep the wheels from falling off.
We often feel "unprepared" because all the "how-to" knowledge is stuck in someone else’s head. When that person leaves, the system breaks.
3 simple rhythms to stop the firefighting
You don't need a corporate makeover to find your footing. You just need a few purposeful workflows to give you some breathing room.
1. Find your rhythm: The 20-minute tactical
Most of us spend our days reacting to pings and "quick questions." That’s exhausting. Our Management On Purpose Framework puts you back in the driver’s seat with a proactive "pulse."
- The habit: One 20-minute chat per week with each direct report.
- The secret sauce: Use a simple agenda: What went well? Where are you stuck? What are your top 3 for next week?
- The result: You stop being a firefighter and start being a "blocker-remover."
2. The 5-minute check-in: real-time feedback
We found that feedback is the thing people want most, but get the least. When you wait for the "Annual Review" to say what’s on your mind, it’s like trying to fix a bug a year after the code was written.
- The habit: Give "micro-feedback" in the moment.
- The secret sauce: A quick, "Hey, when you did X, it really helped the team because of Y."
- The result: No more awkward surprises in their review. (BTW, nothing in a review should be a surprise!) Just constant, helpful calibration.
3. Share the know-how: Documentation
We often feel "unprepared" because all the "how-to" knowledge is stuck in someone else’s head. When that person leaves, the system breaks.
- The habit: If you do it more than twice, write it down.
- The secret sauce: Create a simple "How We Do Things" folder. From onboarding a volunteer to running a report, give your future self (and your team) a map.
- The result: You stop answering the same questions ten times a day.
Management doesn't have to be a mystery, and it definitely shouldn't be a source of constant "impostor syndrome." When we give ourselves a few simple systems to lean on, we stop just "surviving" our roles and start actually leading our missions.
Brenna Holmes
she/her
Founder & Principal, Brenna Holmes Advisory Consulting
I'm Brenna Holmes, a systems-level advisor helping nonprofit leaders and mission-driven agency founders build teams that actually work. I focus on the gaps that show up when passionate people get promoted without the training to match - team optimization, organizational design, and coaching leaders through transitions. If that sounds familiar, let's connect. DM me anytime.
I believe in leveraging technology for social good and impact, crafting innovative and engaging user experiences that not only drive growth but also deliver lasting value. Committed to the professional development and advancement of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ employees, I bring an inclusive approach to my work, fostering an environment where diversity is not just valued but celebrated.
