Can an introvert lead an NGO?
When I received the final design of the logo for Spring-UP Global Network in 2019, it dawned on me that I had a social impact organization to build. To succeed at this, I had to believe in my WHY and aggressively use social and traditional media to drive visibility for the NGO.
As an individual who just wanted to bring together tertiary students to organize mentorship programs in pre-tertiary schools, I quickly learned that being passive and silent about my work was not only harmful to the growth of the organization, but it also affected funding opportunities, as people become more convinced to support programmes that are visible.
As someone who enjoys solitude and loves to connect with a small circle of friends, the plan to build SUGN as a national and global brand meant I had to move beyond what I enjoyed. So, I accepted the challenge to move beyond my comfort zone. This meant putting myself out there, openly documenting our work, building networks in the not-for-profit sector, and asking for help.
I leveraged digital media, traditional media, and face-to-face engagements to tell individuals and groups about SUGN and how they could support us in scaling our impact. It is true that introverts typically get more energy and recharge by spending more time alone than with others.
Months after initiating SUGN, I realized that leading an NGO or a social enterprise goes beyond organizing outreaches and programmes.
You need a committed team.
To build a sustainable organization, you need to consistently sell your WHY.
You need to register with the office of the Registrar of Companies and get licensed with the Nonprofit Secretariat.
The list is endless and can be frustrating sometimes.
This April will mark six years since our first outreach: 10 libraries, 29,000+ beneficiaries, 26 schools, and 4 flagship programmes.
Lately I’ve been asking myself, “Can an introvert lead an NGO?”
My answer is, “Yes, we can be very successful at it when we sacrifice our comfort zones to build something bigger than ourselves, serving our communities and the world.”
