Story checks out!

Hard work pays off... story checks out.

For the past 18 months, life at my organization has been pretty interesting. We had a reorganization, followed by some serious layoffs, and some colleagues leaving to pursue other opportunities. This meant that those of us left behind had to work extra hard in order to hit the goals that had been set for a much larger workforce.

The team that I started with July 1, 2009 had a total of 4 people in my similar role, two admin coordinators, and our boss. Pulling together our hugely successful Boston Heart Walk was just myself and another woman in my role, one admin and our boss. And we raised more money than last year - but not without a summer where we worked harder than I have ever worked before. I don't think any of us can figure out exactly how we did it, save for the fact we put hundreds of miles on our cars, thanked people profusely, strategized our hearts out, and just plain worked hard.

I have to do a little self promotion for a minute... in the past 18 months, I have grown substantially in my leadership abilities. The past three managers that I have had taught me so much about business.

My first manager was a seasoned executive from many different organizations such as ivy league academia, and huge national organizations. She taught me the whole concept of fundraising at the executive level. I was fundraising at the national and international level, and learned how to work with CEOs and leverage their business relationships for non-profit purpose.

My manager after that, taught me the value of community in local fundraising. Learning and respecting relationships - even if there are relationships that don't make perfect sense. She taught me the value of learning about people, their circumstances, and their stories. She reinforced all of the values from my first manager, but at a very local level.

My most recent manager has taught me much more than I expected. She's taught me how to ask the right questions, how to listen, and the power of an agenda! I think most importantly, however, is that she taught me that I am capable of standing on my own two feet as a leader. She has been promoted into a new position, and while our entire team is certainly sad to see her go, I'm excited to have a new manager to learn from.

And now... we start all over again! Bigger and better!