ask “who is doing this better than anyone right now?”

Some of the most effective leaders I’ve worked with have a strong competitive streak. Unsurprisingly, these cats were often athletes or debaters in school. A commitment to their mission and a personal desire to outdo others leads them to ask, “who in our world is doing this very best right now?” and sometimes “who in our world has done this better than anyone else in history?” Then they chase results that go beyond those of the prior top dog.

The effective askers of this question get serious about the answer. Often they have to commission research and conduct interviews to get a firm, quantitative answer. Sometimes their design work has led them to an area where there isn’t a ton of history or their peer group is small. 

From what I’ve seen, defining the “best in class” or “best of all time” is time and energy well-spent. It can make hazy ambition tractable and clear, so you’re not gesturing at a vague standard - you’re playing a game with clear rules and a path to victory.

Worth noting: Nonprofit leaders have an advantage over their private sector counterparts here. Very often, your success as a c3 will fuel that of other c3s. You aren’t in direct competition for the same customers, investors, and audiences the way for-profit firms might be. Your special way of doing things isn’t a proprietary secret and that’s true for your peers / competitors, too. The leader of an amazing school in New Orleans will gladly host you and open the vaults so you can run an amazing school in your city. 

Take advantage of this - figure out who the best in class is, then ask them how they do it.

-eric