Reflections on Two Years of coLeague: 5 Lessons We’ve Learned

Looking Back

As coLeague celebrates our second anniversary, it's a natural moment to pause and reflect on our journey. When we launched, I thought my years of experience, leading HR and people work in non-profits had given me a comprehensive understanding of what mission-driven organizations needed. While that experience was invaluable, these past two years have deepened our insights in ways I never anticipated. Here are five key lessons we've learned along the way.

1. The "Who": Technical Skills Are Just the Beginning

Finding the right match between an interim people leader and an organization is far more nuanced than we initially realized. While technical skills are crucial, we've learned that the intangibles – communication style, decision-making approach, and work preferences – often make or break a placement.

For example, matching a people leader who knows they are a perfectionist with an organization that values quick action and iteration would be a mess. 

However, this is hard today as a CEO unless you have very strong self-awareness. As partners on the outside, we have an eagle-eyed view from the balcony that allows us to consider style in addition to technical skills, resulting in successful partnerships. 

2. The "What": Deep Diagnosis Yields Better Results

Traditional business development is broken. It only provides a surface-level understanding of an organization's needs. A few conversations with senior leadership simply isn't enough to uncover the true challenges at all levels of the organization.

This realization led us to develop our Talent Diagnostic tool. It's a comprehensive assessment that digs deep into an organization's culture, systems, and structures. While it requires more upfront investment, it has proven invaluable in identifying the real issues and crafting more effective solutions for our clients.

3. The "Where": Expertise in Finding Experts is Crucial

We've come to appreciate how challenging it can be for leaders to recruit for roles outside their area of expertise. Selecting a Chief People Officer, for instance, requires evaluating skills and experiences that may be unfamiliar to many CEOs or Executive Directors.

Our role ended up being more crucial, because as People Experts ourselves, we know how to find and evaluate HR leadership. This round of vetting gives clients the peace of mind to know that they are only meeting the people that would have the experiences needed to be value-add from day one. 

4. The "How": Collaboration Enhances Problem-Solving

People work is inherently complex, filled with nuances and gray areas. We've found that having two people experts collaborate on challenges often leads to more robust, well-rounded solutions.

I work with all of our coLeaguers on their thorniest challenges. This collaborative approach serves as a built-in system of checks and balances, challenging assumptions and bringing diverse perspectives to each situation. It's been a key factor in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of our work.

It is the power of the collective. 

5. The "Why": Bridging the Gap to Future Needs

One of our most significant realizations has been the importance of not just solving today's problems, but preparing organizations for future challenges. Many of our clients need expertise that aligns with where they aspire to be, not just where they are now.

Our fractional CPOs often play a crucial role in this regard, bringing experience from larger or more mature organizations to help build the systems and cultures that will support future growth. This forward-thinking approach has become a cornerstone of our work.

Looking Ahead

The most reaffirming lesson of all has been this: Every leader we work with genuinely wants the best for their people and organization. They're often constrained by limited resources, time, or expertise – not by a lack of care or commitment.

At coLeague, our mission is to support and empower those leaders. We stand alongside them, bringing our expertise to bear on their challenges, and working together to create more effective, human-centered, and successful organizations.

As we look to the future, we're excited to continue learning, growing, and refining our approach. We're committed to staying adaptable, always listening to the needs of our clients and the broader mission-driven sector.

Thank you for being part of our journey these past two years. Here's to many more years of collaboration, innovation, and positive impact in the world of mission-driven organizations.

-Lora