Welcome to Hardy Smith’s blog, where he shares experience and insight learned through decades in the corporate world and advocating on behalf of nonprofits and associations across America.
Hardy’s mission is to help maximize the performance of nonprofits and associations and their essential leadership teams.
If you’re seeking to triumph over communication challenges, bring meaningful and manageable solutions to, and realize measurable results of your organization, this blog will give you more than ideas — it will maximize your team’s performance like never before.
Conflict between CEO and Board Chair, between CEO and board members, and among board members themselves is an escalating problem in nonprofit, association, and chamber
Books: These are books that I have personally read and recommend as being beneficial to anyone working with nonprofits, associations, and volunteer-based organizations. Some are considered classics by nonprofit professionals and others reflect the most current trends affecting nonprofit performance. I’m an avid reader and new titles are added frequently!
Nonprofit organizations are driven by a shared mission, but that mission can become disconnected from day-to-day work. Boards spend time setting strategic priorities, while staff
Using board mentors or board buddies can be an excellent way to get new board members engaged and to help them feel included. To get
Two Gaps Affecting Nonprofit Governance ( My article was originally published at https://www.uschamber.com/chambers-of-commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management. Republished with permission.) Shortcomings in
Few sessions carry the emotional weight and honest vulnerability of Chamber Leaders At Risk – Avoiding Landmines That End Careers, held during the recent Florida
UnFunkt is a fun, attention grabbing title of speaker colleague Jaime Marco’s book. However, it is definitely a book with a serious message. For nonprofit
In a world that rewards speed and surface-level understanding, choosing to sit with ideas, absorb perspectives, and reflect deeply is an intentional act of growth.
How can nonprofit organizations create a culture of accountability—one where commitments made in the boardroom actually translate into meaningful action? Leaders of nonprofits, chambers of
What causes disconnection of nonprofit board members? In my interview with Jeff Stratton, editor of Wiley Publication’s “Board and Administrator,” I addressed a challenge that
Conflict between CEO and Board Chair, between CEO and board members, and among board members themselves is an escalating problem in nonprofit, association, and chamber
Books: These are books that I have personally read and recommend as being beneficial to anyone working with nonprofits, associations, and volunteer-based organizations. Some are considered classics by nonprofit professionals and others reflect the most current trends affecting nonprofit performance. I’m an avid reader and new titles are added frequently!
Nonprofit organizations are driven by a shared mission, but that mission can become disconnected from day-to-day work. Boards spend time setting strategic priorities, while staff
Using board mentors or board buddies can be an excellent way to get new board members engaged and to help them feel included. To get
Two Gaps Affecting Nonprofit Governance ( My article was originally published at https://www.uschamber.com/chambers-of-commerce by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Organization Management. Republished with permission.) Shortcomings in
Few sessions carry the emotional weight and honest vulnerability of Chamber Leaders At Risk – Avoiding Landmines That End Careers, held during the recent Florida
UnFunkt is a fun, attention grabbing title of speaker colleague Jaime Marco’s book. However, it is definitely a book with a serious message. For nonprofit
In a world that rewards speed and surface-level understanding, choosing to sit with ideas, absorb perspectives, and reflect deeply is an intentional act of growth.
How can nonprofit organizations create a culture of accountability—one where commitments made in the boardroom actually translate into meaningful action? Leaders of nonprofits, chambers of
What causes disconnection of nonprofit board members? In my interview with Jeff Stratton, editor of Wiley Publication’s “Board and Administrator,” I addressed a challenge that
