There must be an understanding of power by those in leadership positions and working staff who provide goods and services to others. This understanding of power is many time antithetical to the perception of power by 'secular' business leadership. This power does not originate from the autonomous mindset, but from the collective mindset. This power is the force that drives selfless accomplishments and inspires the best in people, providing leadership at all levels of operation with a new context for effective positive change. In order for any organization to be successful, especially non-profit organizations, leaders must know ho to lead people.
People are to be led as opposed to being managed.
The difference is subtle, but in the mind of the progressive leader this difference is revolutionary in thought and practice. When a leader empowers people to become valued contributing participants, they effectively mobilize these individuals to realize their full human potential. And whenever people feel empowered and take ownership of the process, they begin to act in unity and cooperation to become dynamic communities, learning, developing and growing. Non Profit Leadership Max Depree, in Leading without Power, describes places and organizations of realized potential that offer people the opportunity to learn and grow. He suggests that one of the key reasons people work full time or volunteer in non-profit organizations is because these organizations have such high reputations for giving people the opportunity to learn and grow.