Why We Give
Vulnerable leaders make it easier for others to believe in a cause because they make it easier for others to believe in them.
“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.”
— John C. Maxwell
When people ask why we support a particular charity or nonprofit organization, the answer is often assumed to be the mission. We support veterans because we care about veterans. We support organizations that help children with disabilities because we care about children. While those causes certainly matter, I believe there’s usually something deeper at work: More often than not, we give because we trust the people leading the effort. We see something in them that inspires confidence, credibility, and hope. In other words, we generally give to people before we give to organizations.
One of the organizations I support is the Blind Endeavors Foundation, founded by my friend Steve Baskis, pictured above. Steve was a soldier on my personal security detail in Iraq and lost his sight in a roadside bomb attack in May 2008. Most people would understand if such a devastating, life-altering injury caused bitterness or resignation. But Steve’s not like most people…he chose a different path. Establishing Blind Endeavors in 2015, Steve’s mission today is to empower the blind and visually impaired through storytelling, education, and immersive experiences that build understanding and inspire action. Recently, he joined two other blind veterans in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, proving once again that blindness may change how a person lives, but it does not have to define how fully they live. What makes Steve so compelling is not simply his courage. It’s his willingness to openly discuss his struggles, frustrations, fears, and setbacks. He allows others to see the reality of his journey, and that authenticity creates trust.
Another organization I support is Little Friends, located in Warrenville, IL. Little Friends provides resources for children, adults, and their families dealing with autism, intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. My initial connection to Little Friends came through close friends whose daughter participates in the program. Over time, however, I became equally impressed by the organization’s president and CEO, Mike Briggs. Mike possesses a leadership quality that is increasingly rare. He’s candid about the organization’s challenges, transparent about its needs, clear about its vision, and honest about where help is required. There’s no pretense, no attempt to create the illusion that everything is perfect. Instead, there’s openness, humility, and a genuine desire to engage others in the organization’s mission. That kind of leadership inspires confidence because it feels real.
The common thread between Steve and Mike is vulnerability. In my book Large and In Charge No More—A Journey to Vulnerable Leadership, I describe vulnerability as the combination of empathy and self-awareness. Both men embody those qualities. Neither hides behind a carefully crafted image of perfection, nor pretends to have all the answers. Instead, they invite others to understand their challenges, their aspirations, and their humanity. In doing so, they create something every successful organization needs but cannot purchase: trust. And trust is the currency that fuels generosity.
As I think about why I support these organizations, I realize it’s not simply because of what they do, although their missions are exceptionally worthy. No, it’s because of who leads them and how they lead. Vulnerable leaders make it easier for others to believe in a cause because they make it easier for others to believe in them. They remind us that leadership isn’t about projecting invincibility; it is about creating connection. And when people feel connected, they become willing to invest their time, talent, and treasure in helping make a difference.
In the end, perhaps the most powerful fundraising tool any leader possesses is not a marketing campaign or a strategic plan. It is the courage to let others peek under their tent flap and see who they really are.
Here are the links for Blind Endeavors; and for Little Friends.
Mike
Outstanding!! Kudos on highlighting both of these organizations and their leaders.