Reading for Leading Change-June 2025
We recommend these recent articles as you seek out new inspiration and innovative approaches to nonprofit leadership and social impact.
Grappling With Systems Collapse: How Social Sector Leaders Can Respond
We feel moved by this Stanford Social Innovation Review article that explores the possibility of systems collapse and the consideration that we cannot go back to how things were in the past. “For the social sector to achieve meaningful impact in a collapse scenario, it must acknowledge that preservation of the current system as-is cannot be its goal,” write the authors. “Continuing to pursue a ‘return to normal’ will only prolong the harms associated with a system in rapid decline and cede the creation of new systems to others.” The article also outlines various approaches to resistance and recreation of systems in the face of a collapse.
Curation is the New Leadership Superpower. Here are 3 Ways to Adopt a Curation Mindset
Traditional top-down leadership is outdated in today’s fast-changing, complex world, which is why we appreciate this Fast Company article about leadership as curation and facilitation. The future of leadership lies in curation — bringing together the right talent, ideas, and perspectives to drive innovation. Leaders can adopt a curation mindset by seeking out divergent perspectives, designing for collaboration not just efficiency, acting as facilitators, and championing psychological safety, writes Tony Martignetti. “The future belongs to curators. Are you ready to lead like one?” he asks readers.
Monitoring and Taking Action on Federal Policy Updates
We recommend following the National Council of Nonprofits for timely updates on federal policy updates and advocacy opportunities to protect nonprofits. Policies, including the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that Republicans hope to enact by summer, propose to increase taxes on nonprofits and foundations, limit charitable donations, and make devastating cuts to funding for Medicaid and to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides food assistance for low-income families.
Americans for the Arts is committed to the fundamental principle that the arts and artists from all backgrounds enrich every community and should be accessible to all. Their Comprehensive Guide to Executive Orders and Their Impact on the Arts provides helpful insights into executive orders impacting the arts.
What have you read lately that helped you lead your organization? We’d love to hear about it.