Opinion: How Joe Biden’s decision is relevant to nonprofit leadership

Many of us have spent the past few weeks (months, years?) watching our national elections, frozen and afraid. We feel like we are at the mercy of forces out of our control, primarily the egos of two old white men. It seems clear that Trump does not rely on the same operating system as most of us and his moral compass only points one way – N (for Narcissism), so there really are no lessons to be learned from his behavior. But for those of us who think of Joe Biden as a reasonable actor and a person who believes in something greater than himself - watching him navigate the final chapter of leadership position has been painful. As I was writing this piece, I learned that Biden had made a decision to step down and endorse his partner in the White House. 

The questions that we have been asking about Biden are ones that are relevant to any of us who hold leadership roles, and especially for long-time leaders: How do we know when to step out of leadership? There are so many more things we want to accomplish, how can we step away now? How can we trust that someone else will do as good a job as us? Who can we turn to to tell us when our turn is over, when there is someone better for the job? How can we stay in work we care about, without holding positional leadership?  These questions are critical for non-profit leaders, as well as our peers in other sectors. 

Conversations around Biden succession scenarios have been heightened by the fact that his most obvious successor is a woman of color. Folks raise questions, not about her competence, but about whether the country is ready for such a candidate – questions that are painful, ubiquitous, and too often disingenuous.  These questions and the importance of interrogating how the racial and gender identity of those “next in line” affect our readiness to go, are obviously relevant to our sector too - where 64% of leaders of nonprofits are white. 

In 2020, Biden portrayed himself as a ‘bridge president’ who would set up his vice president for leadership in ‘24. He lost that thread as this campaign ramped up, and as a result lost a chance to create conditions for Harris to step in and succeed. For those of us in leadership now, the opportunity to make out-loud statements about when we will leave, and to create the conditions for a successful leadership transition - is there for the taking. 

As a way to manage my stress about the upcoming national elections, I started the ‘Couch to 5K’ running program this Summer. I downloaded an app to my phone, which sets out a series of runs designed to get me from my non-running life, to completing a 5 K, in 6 weeks.  Although I have only completed the first half and my running times are still matched by time spent walking, I have been loving it. What I love most is the coach's voice whispering in my ear. “You are doing great!” she tells me. “This is your first of four intervals.” “Now stop. See you in a few days.”  She tells me what to do, sets a reasonable pace, offers affirming encouragement, and tells me when to stop.  I am grateful.

I have been wishing that the voice from the running app could follow me everywhere “Way to go, Lisa! You made that subway with plenty of time.” “You nailed that email”.” Way to load the dishwasher!”  I wonder if she might also find time to push me to do more and aim higher as a nonprofit leader, or identify when it’s time to start stepping back, and support other leaders. How will I know when it's the right time? Who is going to tell me? How do I make sure I am ready to listen? 

Those of us in positional leadership now - and especially those of us who are getting older, and who come from overrepresented demographics, need to get our plans together so that we don't end up like Biden - drawing out an exit that ultimately hurts the institution we are leading and others on the team. Let’s take time this summer to figure out who we want whispering in our ears. Who can we pledge to listen to who will tell us the truth – especially if and when it is not what we want to hear? 

I wish I had an all-knowing coach on hand to advise me on when to run, when to walk, when to rest, when to push and when to stop in all the many facets of my life. Even more than that, I wish we had more leaders who put our multiracial democracy first, and who demonstrate a clear understanding that there are things more important than themselves. There are so many things out of my control, but I can control how hard I work to protect democracy and I can be careful, deliberate, and responsive in making a plan to leave my job. And I am going to run a 5K this fall.