Executive directors are the keystone for the current and lasting success of any non-profit organization. The board expects them to be practical and competent. The staff requires an influential leader, coach, and competent business manager. The community needs these leaders to have a compelling and active presence. An executive director must be—in a word—effective.

Here are seven significant traits, critical to the success of an executive director. Their importance comes regardless of whether they have been in their position many years or if it is their first day on the job. Both hard skills and soft skills are required of a well-rounded executive director. The below director skills are often found in any nonprofit director job description. To be effective in this leadership role, they will need proficiency in these seven key areas.