OceanFirst Foundation Winter Gathering: Leadership Lessons & Nonprofit Resilience

Monmouth University’s Great Hall was the recent setting for the Foundation’s biannual leadership gathering of nonprofits. The event focused on connection, collaboration, and inspiration with a keynote featuring the distinguished, Charles Antelme of the McChrystal Group.

His talk, “Into the Sun,” delivered hard-earned lessons on leadership, teamwork, and perseverance. His lessons drew from his distinguished military career in the British Army and Special Forces and his work with global organizations. In the face of a challenging year for many nonprofits, Charles reminded attendees that resilience is key. He shared, “Like the weather in New Jersey – if you don’t like it, wait a minute—it’s bound to change. Tenacity, stoicism, and most importantly, the strength gained from strong teams will sustain you.”

1. Life is a Team Sport. You will never get there on your own.
2. Serve to Lead. Put the mission first, put your team next, and put yourself last. Success will swiftly follow.
3. Treat people with respect on a daily basis. They are more likely to chuck you a rope when you’ve walked into quicksand. Bright ideas are not the sole preserve of the ‘leader’.
4. The founder of the Special Air Service, David Stirling was of the view: With the right team anything is possible. He expected the relentless pursuit of excellence; Classlessness – no snobbery; Self-Discipline; Humor and Humility.
5. When ‘divine’ intervention (opportunity) occurs, have the wherewithal to take advantage of the moment which may be fleeting.
6. Read and digest Team of Teams. This applies to whatever type of organization you run.
7. When the chips are down compassion and toughness sometimes have to walk hand in hand.
8. The source of joy, pride, education and amazement is not bestowed from above. It is given by those around us and those we are seeking to lead and help.
9. When the clouds gather you will be sustained by the great people around you so you must seek them out. When the sun shines we must seize every moment!

“Charles’ remarks challenged me to reflect on what true impact looks like, what it means to lead well, and how I can bring those lessons back to my organization. I’m excited to explore new ways to make a difference where I live and to support those who need it most.” – Reagan Tangney, Enlightened Farms, Hansen Foundation.