The executive director has been at the organization too long. She feels tired and has lost enthusiasm for the work, but stays in the job because she can t imagine what to do next. Mediocrity becomes the standard of work. The executive director is sensitive to criticism, even defensive. She creates a work environment in which only total loyalty to her is acceptable and any questioning of her decisions or directions is perceived as insubordination.
Creativity is squelched.
The executive director is afraid to ask for money and will not help with fundraising from individual donors. Often this fear is disguised as I can t deal with a bunch of little gifts. Let s just get a foundation grant. The executive director doesn t trust the board members or want them to have any power, so does not share decision making with them. The executive director is threatened by the development director s knowledge of fundraising.