The Management Center

Ever been the driver with a passenger who gave excellent directions? (Like, better than GPS.) They name landmarks that make each turn easier. They calmly tell you which lane you need to be in for a smooth exit. TMC is that someone on your management journey. Now, we have a compass. 🧭 Try our new Effective Manager’s Compass. https://ow.ly/P2ZM50YBpg3 The Effective Manager’s Compass is a short, self-guided leadership assessment. It helps experienced managers reflect. It helps early-career managers spot key landmarks for effective management. Reflect on your approach See where you are thriving Identify where to focus next ⏱️ 2 minutes and 100% confidential. Chart Your Path https://ow.ly/P2ZM50YBpg3

Join us IRL! We’re offering in-person trainings this May and June in Washington, DC. Level up skills and connect with other leaders. 💫 Managing to Change the World For Managers May 5 or June 10, 2026 Register for MTCTW: https://ow.ly/f7A450Yx64k 💫 Working for Change For Staff May 21 Register for WFC: https://ow.ly/3cPi50Yx64j

❗️NEW: The Trump administration is attempting to require all federal grantees, including nonprofits, to sign new certifications under threat of civil and criminal penalties. The certifications align with President Trump’s executive orders and DOJ guidance misrepresenting “illegal” diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, focus on undocumented immigration, and use overly broad definitions of terrorism not supported by law. *To be clear, these proposed changes are unlawful. The executive branch does not have the authority to add across-the-board terms and conditions to federal funds, nor does it have the authority to add terms that go beyond what Congress has authorized or federal law. In this case, the administration is attempting to use the certification process to add terms and conditions that it cannot lawfully impose. Similar actions by other federal agencies this year have been blocked by federal judges as violating federal law or the U.S. Constitution.* The proposed changes would create significant legal and financial risks to nonprofit grantees. The new certifications are vague and complex, making it nearly impossible for grantees to know whether they are in compliance. The certifications expose grantees to possible legal harassment, which may force them to spend time and resources defending themselves in audits, investigations, and court. With the risks so significant, nonprofits may be forced to forgo applying for federal resources altogether, leading to service disruptions in communities nationwide, impacting housing, community development, health, education, food, shelter, community services, disaster recovery, and more. Ultimately, the proposed changes will harm the people and communities that rely on nonprofits and other federal grantees, and the essential services they provide. Take Action! The public has until March 30 to submit public comments in opposition to the proposal. National Council of Nonprofits has created several tools to help you and nonprofits nationwide make your voices heard. Please help us share these widely. By March 30: - Sign a national letter led by the National Council of Nonprofits and Legal Defense Fund opposing the proposed changes: https://lnkd.in/eBcjM77W - Submit a comment letter using NCN’s comment guide, which includes talking points, instructions, and more information: https://lnkd.in/e8x72TN8 - Email your members of Congress and urge them to help protect nonprofit grantees and the communities they serve: https://lnkd.in/ediqx-hy

Want to support staff with ADHD? Supercharge your check-in agenda. Managers often ask how they can better support neurodiverse staff. So, we asked the experts: people with ADHD who’ve thrived with structure and support from a manager or coach. 🔰 To start, use your check-ins to build mutual trust and *ask* staff directly what they need. Remember the wisdom of disability rights activists, “Nothing about us without us is for us.” Use our *check-in agenda template* to provide structure and support with compassion. 5 Ways to Supercharge Your Agenda: 1️⃣ Structure: For projects that span more than a few weeks, use the “Key Updates” section to check on mini-deadlines, creating the good kind of urgency that staves off procrastination. 🗨️ Support: Identify roadblocks. Ask “Is there anything you’re feeling stuck on?” 2️⃣ In the “Next Steps” section, break down clear steps and deadlines for projects—and identify steps to get unstuck. 🗨️ Get explicit about task initiation. Ask: “What’s your first step for getting this done?” 3️⃣ In the “Big Rocks” section, align on a shared definition of success. 🗨️ Ask: “What will ‘done’ look like?” 4️⃣ Add a calendar audit to your last check-in of the month. Flag upcoming deadlines and busy periods. 🗨️ Take 10 minutes together to schedule workblocks and downtime or breaks. 5️⃣ When it’s time for “Feedback,” be direct and compassionate. 🗨️ For tough feedback: Focus on approach and outcomes, not character or motivation. For praise: Celebrate effort, progress, and strengths Get the check-in agenda template, https://ow.ly/SxlT50YmE3T Learn what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to task initiation, https://ow.ly/3zE350YmE3U And if YOU are stuck trying new things, examine your PTRs, https://ow.ly/Y2AF50YmE3V #Neurodiversity #InclusiveWorkplace #EffectiveManagement

Have you ever shared a decision that landed poorly? We’ve been there. Decision-making is part of the job. The tougher the decision, the more your process matters. We use Fair Process decision-making because it helps strengthen trust and outcomes. Fair Process means: 1️⃣ Seeking input from people who will be most impacted 2️⃣ Setting expectations about how you’ll use their input 3️⃣ Clearly communicating the “why” of your decision You may never feel 💯 about the toughest decisions you have to make. But you CAN feel more confident in your process. 🔗 Get a primer on Fair Process: https://ow.ly/goXM50YfXy3 🗓️ Join Making Better Decisions to get real-time support: https://ow.ly/oNxA50YfXy2 #Leadership #DecisionMaking #FairProcess

Weary start to 2026? Same. Take 90 seconds to get grounded with Jessica Anderson and this beautiful invocation about beginnings. “We are proof that all hasn’t been lost. We are what AI cannot do. We are what 7 generations after us will praise, debate, or dig through archives to recover. There is work that is ours now, together.” — Jessica Anderson, Managing Partner, The Management Center Want more inspiration along with concrete tools and tips? 🗞️ Sign up for our newsletter. https://lnkd.in/g_X_HFMP 🗓️ Or, register for a training. All of our trainers are as fab as Jessica. She manages some of them. https://lnkd.in/ezMZwhe

May we usher in a new year of love, rigor, and transformative changemaking. A greeting from Jakada Imani as we embark on TMC’s 20th year: "For me, the practice of effective management is like meditation, prayer, or exercise. It can be a transformational practice. It can change us as leaders, change the organizations we work in, and give us a way to change the world. I consider it sacred work. Managers have a huge impact on how people spend their precious time and energy. That’s why I believe managers should have the tools and support we need to be truly great at managing—so we can be a force for good in the lives of our people. Thank you for all you do to build organizations that change the world and protect our democracy. Your work is sacred. The Management Center is here for the joy and the challenges." In love and rigor, Jakada Imani #TMC20 #MissionDriven #NonprofitLeadership #PublicSector #MeetTheMoment #SocialImpact 🌅 Get support, https://lnkd.in/g7JME8-4

This year, we leaned into the idea of “micro-thriving” amidst “macro-suffering.” Micro-thriving reminds us to focus on the little things we do to nourish our work and relationships. This may be something the pandemic taught us: How to thrive in smaller configurations, caring for ourselves and others with our smallest actions, the places where our sphere of control meets our talents. It’s a reminder: even when we feel helpless, we have choices. As Monna W. said in our latest newsletter, “I think micro-thriving is something humans do naturally. Even in the darkest times, humanity persists in extraordinary and ordinary ways.” How did you micro-thrive this year? As you close 2025… ⏺️ Acknowledge your smallest acts of connection and care. ⏺️⏺️ List the places you found joy in spite of fear or grief. ⏺️⏺️⏺️ Look within your sphere of control and commit to micro-thriving. This year. And next. Start here: https://lnkd.in/edJmMkD5 h/t to @blackstresscomedy on Instagram for introducing us to "micro-thriving."

Excited to see Stephen McClain, Ed.D. sharing our special training on Managing Uncertainty at this conference. Join us in Detroit! #MICSS25 #ChangeManagement #Leadership #EducationalEquity

It’s our refresh-a-versary. This is a shout out to YOU, all 16,795 of you! …from 3,583 organizations …who joined 796 trainings …with our unparalleled training team! 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐 We know it’s no small feat to set aside time to invest in yourself as a leader, and to forge a different, more people-centered approach to management. Your heart, vision, and labor show us that a better world is within reach. Even now. We’re grateful to be in this work together. 📣 Shout out YOUR trainer/coach below! And come back soon! We’re always here. https://lnkd.in/ezjq9mzB