"What are you putting off out of fear? Usually, what we most fear doing is what we most need to do. That phone call, that conversation, whatever the action might be - it is fear of unknown outcomes that prevents us from doing what we need to do. Define the worst case, accept it, and do it.

I'll repeat something you might consider tattooing on your forehead: What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.

As I have heard said, a person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have. Resolve to do one thing every day that you fear."

Many nonprofit leaders are doing EVERYTHING these days instead of tapping into a very important resource: volunteers and volunteer committees!

Fifteen years ago, an international nonprofit trained me with a concept that I have used in my work ever since: My job as Executive Director of a nonprofit was to "direct traffic and not drive the bus."

Until then, I had been basically doing everything - programs, fundraising, Board management, PR, finance, and more. Since that time, one of my most important jobs has been to form program and income committees, recruit volunteers for those committees, train them, delegate jobs to them, provide all of the resources for them, and oversee their work.

As I embraced this leadership strategy, not only did I multiply my efforts one hundred-fold but I also gave many volunteers the opportunity to become really involved and invested in my nonprofit and truly have the opportunity to make a difference.

So, think about the very valuable resource pool of potential volunteers in your community and use them, particularly in these difficult economic times. And remember that your number one job should be recruiting, training, and overseeing!

"Are you directing traffic?"