The Path to
Extraordinary Impact
Words Matter
If you want to achieve extraordinary impact as a nonprofit board member, it comes down to eight words
Eight.
When taken together, these eight words are so powerful that they’ve fed the hungry, housed the homeless, and healed the sick. They’ve given us better and brighter tomorrows. They’ve built bridges. And they’ve created hope where there once was none.
No doubt about it. When it comes to creating extraordinary impact, there are eight words that matter more than any others.
The problem is, there are still far too many nonprofit board members (and CEOs and employees, for that matter) that have no idea what these eight words are.
But that changes right now.
Bold Dreams
The first two words are “bold dreams.”
Simple concept, but life-changing ramifications.
When asked how dreams make a difference, I think Kristen Backstrom said it best:
“Dreams represent the deep flow of groundwater beneath the surface of our everyday lives.”
Said differently, when we dream BIG dreams, we are literally watering a patch of ground that will one day bear precious and abundant fruit.
And this harvest—our harvest—will change the world in ways we never thought possible.
The iPhone. Putting a man on the moon. Clean drinking water for all. Children who are educated and equipped to deal with a challenging tomorrow. Lives free from the scourge of alcohol and drug addiction.
All of these things are fueled by big dreams.
Never forget: big dreams are what metaphorically push over the dominoes and provide the momentum to get us moving on the road to extraordinary impact.
But there’s more.
Brilliant Delivery
Brilliant delivery is all about execution—and it’s the difference between success and failure.
In fact, taking it one step further, brilliant delivery is the ultimate differentiator between extraordinary nonprofits and average ones.
When people are driven by delivering brilliantly, things get done.
On time.
Within budget.
And in a way that exceeds expectations.
Think back to the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team’s victory over the Soviet Union.
Talk about a prime example of flawless execution. (If you aren’t familiar with this—Google it. And then clear your calendar for about two hours, because you’ll be enthralled!).
Their performance was a combination of strategic planning, exceptional teamwork, unwavering focus under pressure, and the dedication to brilliantly deliver a dream that no one ever thought possible.
To this day, the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team is still being studied, analyzed, and emulated by some of the smartest and most talented people in the world.
Four words down. Four more to go.
Burning Desire to Serve
The final four words are: burning desire to serve.
Here’s just a taste of how a burning desire to serve achieves extraordinary impact.
Harriet Tubman, the fearless abolitionist of the 1800s—who committed her life to liberating those trapped in the bondage of slavery— said this:
“I would give every drop of blood in my veins to free them.”
That, my friends, is a burning desire.
Despite the very real possibility of losing her life, her burning desire propelled her toward a kind of courage that is seldom matched.
And because of the fire in her heart, she went on:
“If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see torches in the woods, keep going. If there’s shouting after you, keep going. Don’t ever stop. Keep going if you want a taste of freedom, keep going.”
If you have a heartbeat, you can still feel her pulsing desire in these words she spoke over 160 years ago.
That’s the power of a burning desire.
Extraordinary Impact
Now comes the $64,000 question.
How are you doing?
Are you dreaming big, bold dreams?
Are you devoted to delivering brilliantly?
Are you consumed by your burning desire to serve others?
Listen carefully.
At nonprofits, we trade in impact.
We invest in hope.
And we reap the smiles from those we serve.
Together, we create endless possibilities.
And these are the eight words that get us there.
Bold dreams. Brilliant delivery. Burning desire to serve.
Can I get an amen?
Until next time.