Frances Hesselbein is known for following the work of Peter Drucker, and, after being the CEO for Girl Scouts of the USA, she founded and leads the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management in New York City. Well known as a matriarch in the nonprofit world, she speaks directly to people and issues with compassion and honesty. She views the world with a holistic perspective, seeking to build organizations that move in circles of fluidity so that possibilities of success lead into the future.

Information about Frances Hesselbein reveals her free expression and teaching respect for diversity, and her belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to develop leadership skills. In agreement with her mentor, Peter Drucker, she emphasizes the importance of introspection, observation and consultation - know who you are and what you value. Self-knowledge gives leaders the freedom to be open to innovation, willing to share responsibilities and respect for diversity without feeling personally threatened. Here are a few more aspects of her theory:

1. Hesselbein's theories emphasize ambition and respect.

2. Hesselbein's theory states that the mission statement is a strong foundation.

3. Management theories of Frances Hesselbein advocate success for all.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Encourage human relations and growth with Hesselbein's management theories

The management theory of Frances Hesselbein expresses her belief in humanity, and she shows the importance of ambition for the organization, the cause, and the work - not for herself. She states the necessity for strong leadership skills within the nonprofit circle because employees are usually volunteers, and they leave if they're unhappy. Understand everyone's worth and dignity, treat them with respect, offer support and encourage development of the individual for the betterment of the community.

I recommend: In his paper discussing leadership, Michael Livovich brings Frances Hesselbein theories to the forefront as an innovative leader for today. For evidence of Frances Hesselbein's ability to lead by action, see the Leader to Leader Organization article with quotes from various leaders discussing Hesselbein.

Focus on the mission using the management style of Frances Hesselbein

View your organization as a whole entity and embrace the mission, values, customer, partners and vision. A mission statement grounds the whole organization, so support it with value-based decisions. Every year or so objectively revisit the mission statement to ensure it is current with your organization; sometimes you revise the mission statement, sometimes you get back on course with the current mission statement.

I recommend: The Leader to Leader Institute of the Drucker Foundation houses Nonprofit Innovations of the Week, a program that shares creative and effective nonprofit initiatives. Women of Faith offers even more insight into the strength of a mission statement to propel organizations forward or hold them back.

Remember the four points Frances Hesselbein supports for success

Hesselbein's management theory supports four important points for nonprofits, leaders and other realms to remember: realize the true potential of your organization - limitless; make a clear distinction between governance and management; review your mission statement to maintain its accuracy in measuring effectiveness; run your organization like a business because it is a business. If you remember and use these recommendations, success is just the beginning for your organization.

I recommend: Targeted Learning offers a printed program from one of Frances Hesselbein's teaching engagements about leadership and change. For Frances Hesselbein information regarding her outlook in life and her views of leadership look in the article located on ASAE & The Center.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember, according to the Frances Hesselbein leadership style, 'leadership is a matter of how to be, not how to do it.' Emphasize collaboration, building partnerships and alliances, so you change lives and build communities.