A nonprofit’s executive director has an important job to do. Typically, no one else contributes more to the organization’s success.

Evidence indicates that turnover among these top staffers is high and that nonprofit boards often have trouble finding good candidates. Yet there’s been little research about how people become executive directors or how well-prepared they are for the job.

We’re awash in political surprises. Who knew the formulas for solving inflation were on Hunter Biden’s laptop? Or that crime would plummet overnight once power in the House of Representatives changed hands? That caravans lurching toward the border would inexplicably lose their value as news? That those prices at the pump would miraculously move in the right direction?

Over many years, I have observed that some residents in my rental properties will disable or remove smoke detectors. I install them in all the required places and make sure that any battery-operated units have new batteries, and the residents have instructions. I go one step further. I show them each unit, demonstrate that it works, and have the resident sign that they are all in place and working on the move-in date. I emphasize the importance of these devices for safety.