FALL 2024
Having now served twice as Chair of the
International Business Brokers Association (IBBA)
(first in 2012), it has become abundantly clear
that the principles guiding successful business
leadership also apply to leading a thriving nonprofit
association. Whether steering a company or a not-
for-profit organization, certain key questions must
be continually asked and answered. Such are some
of those essential questions:
(In full disclosure, these are not mine. John and Myriam
Carver developed these, and they also developed the
Carver Governance Model, which the IBBA has embraced
and is governed under. Also called “Policy Governance”)
WHY do we exist?
WHO are we here to serve?
WHAT do we need to do to fulfill our purpose for
those we serve?
These questions are not just philosophical musings,
but the bedrock of purposeful leadership.
As organizations grow, these principles become even
more crucial, particularly in preventing the common
pitfalls of becoming busy with activities that while
well-intentioned, do not align with the organization’s
core mission. The truth is no organization can excel
at everything. Therefore, the focus must be carefully
chosen, and fiercely maintained. No different in our
own practices, frankly.
THE TRAP OF DOING TOO MUCH
One of the biggest challenges for any organization,
particularly one experiencing growth as we recently
have, is avoiding the temptation to do everything. It’s
easy to fall into the trap of engaging in a multitude
of activities, each seemingly valuable, but only to
find that despite all this effort, li�le is truly being
accomplished especially in terms of the Why, Who
and What. The energy and resources expended
may not lead to meaningful progress toward the
organization’s core purpose.
This is where the importance of focus needs to be
clear. An organization can only be truly excellent at
a limited number of things. Therefore, defining and
commi�ing to the “Why, Who and What” which lead
to the specific actions and initiatives that align with
the organization’s core mission is critical. This is
not about doing more; rather, it is about doing what
ma�ers most.
PINO BACINELLO
CBI, MCBI, M&AMI | 2024 IBBA Chair
The Case for Bold Focus
Leading with Purpose and Precision