Many non-profits are suffering from Noble Cause Syndrome, more commonly known as NCS. Noble Cause Syndrome is when an organization performs a task or service that is so noble that in their mind it no longer matters how well they do the task. NCS is a disease of the mind that says “if what I’m doing is a noble cause, it doesn’t matter how effective, excellent, and efficient I am at doing it”. This syndrome has been around so long, most don’t even recognize it any more. As I mentioned in a previous blog, the antidote is to find people who believe “if it’s the most important thing I could be doing, I need to do this with excellence”
For many 501c3’s Noble Cause Syndrome is in advanced stages of development and literally threatens their very existence.
While no one can pinpoint when NCS started to spread, many recognize it when they see it. With some attention, Noble Cause Disease can be overcome.
Here are a few ideas on how to get the better of NCS:
1. Use Best Business Practices: Non-profits suffering from NCS don’t use best business practices, accounting principles, management or board governance because they are doing a noble thing, and that means you don’t have to do it right. Instead, determine that what you’re doing, no matter how small in scale, is too important to cut corners. Start using best practices in your non-profit to make it better.
2. Give Quality Service: The problem with doing someone a favor, is that you feel like they owe you. While many who serve in non-profits wouldn’t dare articulate that idea, this concept lurks in the back of their consciousness and keeps them from giving great customer service in their non-profit. “I’m doing you a favor, so dont’ expect me to go deliver it on a silver plate”, should be replaced with “Everything I do I do in love and to 100% of my ability, regardless if you appreciate it or not”. The attitude with which you deliver a service makes all the difference.
3. Hiring the Right Staff: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people from the business world tell me they’re tired of working in a results-oriented environment so they want to come to work at the Rescue Mission. They’ll never make it. People who think like that should be avoided at all costs and weeded out of your team as quickly as humanly possible. If what you are doing is important, and if it’s not you should just shut it down, then you should have a results oriented, high-challenge culture in your non-profit to deliver the maximum impact for our community. Get people on the team who are ready to work as hard or harder than they’ve ever worked before, for all the right reasons.
There are many more ways Noble Cause Syndrome presents itself. Have you noticed this as well, or am I just imagining this disease? Give some feedback and let me know what you think.
David Curry
