When Growth for Good is asked to provide consulting services, we often find ourselves rolling up our sleeves, working on-site part-time, and serving as interim staff. Whether it’s serving as an interim development director or managing a rebranding campaign, we always set realistic expectations that foster success.

If you are considering hiring a consultant to serve as an interim staff member, here are three steps of self-reflection nonprofit staff and board members should take and guiding questions:

#1) IDENTIFY THE CONSULTANT’S ROLE

• Does our nonprofit need a sustaining interim to just keep the “trains running on schedule” or are we looking for a turnaround agent?
• Will the consultant be expected to provide strategic direction, develop processes, and/or set priorities?
• Do we want the consultant to manage staff, provide executive coaching, and/or facilitate team trainings?
• Are we ready to explore new models, resources, and changes that may be needed to implement with best practices?

#2) IDENTIFY YOUR ROLE AS THE CLIENT

• Who will be the supervising point person?
• Will we be able to take responsibility for fundraising and financial health of our organization?
• Who will assume the external role through the transition?
• Will we manage the job of searching for and onboarding their replacement staff or will we need consulting through this process?
• How will the consultant’s success be evaluated and who will do it?

#3) IDENTIFY ISSUES

• Are there any tough decisions that a consultant could help mediate?
• Are there areas of weakness that should be disclosed and strategically addressed?
• Are there key staff departures, financial problems, or other concerns that should be disclosed?
• Are there any conflicts or staff resistance that they should be aware of?
• Are there any strategic initiatives that will need to be addressed during this consulting engagement, i.e., strategic planning, capital projects, board leadership transition, a rebranding, etc.?

We hope that asking yourself these questions leads to greater stability through leadership transitions or periods of strategic growth and change.

PHOTO CREDIT: rawpixel.com on “My Life Through A Lens” on Unsplash