The steps and tools in this article can help you create your own set of personal strategic priorities to support your organization and your team, as well as identify areas where you can best spend your time, attention, and energy.

By formalizing your personal strategic priorities as a nonprofit leader, you determine where you can do the most for your organization and team, and identify where to place your attention, time, and energy in support of the organization and your role.

Personal strategic priorities are distinct from an organization's priorities but are often still in support of achieving its goals.

In addition to setting the right priorities, it's crucial to determine ways to assess progress and change course as necessary. The below steps can help leaders set priorities that are achievable and measurable.

  1. Setting your personal strategic priorities.
    1. Your organizational priorities and goals
    2. Your unique value-add
    3. Your current team capacity and engagement
    4. Your most recent performance review
  2. Working Toward Your Priorities.
    1. Examine your current reality and adjust course.
    2. Continually align your time with your priorities.
  3. Assessing performance against your priorities
    1. Review your performance.
    2. Share with others.
    3. Revisit and make changes.

Following this process will allow you to focus your work where you can have the most impact for your organization. Like any other planning process, however, its effectiveness is reliant upon strong implementation. If you regularly revisit your priorities and ensure your time is aligned with them, you'll feel more on top of your tasks and increase your effectiveness as a leader.

Read the full article about personal strategic priorities for nonprofit leaders by Madeleine Niebauer at The Bridgespan Group.