The Five Big Lies of Strategic Planning: What Nonprofit Leaders Need to Know
Strategic planning is a crucial process for nonprofits, helping them outline goals, define priorities, and chart a course for the future. However, many organizations fall into the trap of believing that the plan itself guarantees success. The reality is that strategic plans often fail—not because they are poorly structured, but because of the mindset and emotional resistance that leaders bring to the process.
In a recent episode of The Influential Nonprofit, I debunked the biggest myths surrounding strategic planning and explained why success has less to do with the strategy itself and more to do with how leaders navigate uncertainty, resistance, and discomfort.
This article explores the five big lies of strategic planning and provides insights on how nonprofit professionals can approach their organizational strategy with more confidence, flexibility, and impact.
Lie #1: Plans Bring Certainty
Many nonprofit leaders believe that having a strategic plan will provide them with certainty and control over the future. However, as the past few years have shown—especially with the unexpected shifts brought by COVID-19—certainty is an illusion.
The truth: No plan can guarantee a specific outcome. Instead of seeking certainty, leaders should embrace adaptability, focusing on their ability to adjust and pivot as needed.
Dersch emphasizes that the more we rely on certainty, the more we feel uncertain when things don’t go as planned. Instead of clinging to a rigid plan, nonprofit leaders should ask:
How can we develop a mindset that allows us to navigate uncertainty?
Are we willing to let go of control and trust our ability to adapt?
How can we stay present and respond effectively to challenges?
Successful organizations recognize that strategic plans are bets on the future, not guarantees. Being open to unexpected opportunities often leads to greater impact.
Lie #2: Plans Ensure Success
Many teams create strategic plans with the belief that having a documented roadmap guarantees positive results. However, Dersch argues that what truly ensures success isn’t the plan—it’s how leaders and teams handle fear, resistance, and setbacks.
The truth: Success is not determined by the plan itself but by the actions taken in response to challenges. Nonprofit professionals must focus on:
Taking bold action even when they feel uncertain
Overcoming fear of failure and rejection
Prioritizing big, ambitious goals rather than “safe” plans
Dersch highlights that growth happens outside of comfort zones. If a strategic plan doesn’t scare you, it may be too conservative to drive real change.
Lie #3: Plans Solve Major Organizational Issues
Some nonprofits believe that creating a strategic plan will fix internal challenges, such as trust issues within the team or a lack of engagement among board members.
The truth: A plan cannot fix systemic problems—only intentional effort and leadership can.
Dersch shares a story about working with a nonprofit coalition that struggled with trust among its members. They wanted a five-year strategic plan to “solve” their issues, believing that if they had a clear roadmap, trust would naturally follow. However, strategy alone does not change relationships.
Instead of relying on a plan to resolve internal conflicts, nonprofit leaders should:
Address trust and communication issues before developing a strategy
Create a culture of honest conversations and collaboration
Recognize that plans amplify existing dynamics—if the team lacks trust, the plan will not change that
Organizational strategy should be built on a foundation of strong relationships, not used as a substitute for addressing deeper challenges.
Lie #4: Plans Drive Growth
While strategic planning can support growth, many organizations create plans that are too safe—setting goals based on what they think they can afford rather than what they truly want to achieve.
The truth: Growth comes from ambitious vision, not cautious planning.
Dersch encourages nonprofit leaders to dream big and plan boldly, asking:
What would we aim for if budget was not a limitation?
Are we setting goals that truly align with the needs of our community?
How can we push past fear and take action on a larger scale?
Too often, nonprofits lower their goals to ensure they look successful to funders, boards, and stakeholders. But true impact requires setting a vision that stretches the organization beyond its comfort zone.
Lie #5: Plans Help Maintain Priorities
Leaders often assume that once a plan is in place, it will automatically keep the team focused on priorities. However, strategic plans do not create commitment—they simply outline priorities on paper.
The truth: Commitment drives priorities, not plans.
Dersch explains that nonprofit professionals often avoid difficult or uncomfortable tasks, even when they are part of the strategic plan. For example, if a plan sets a goal of raising an additional $200,000 through major gifts, but the team fears making big fundraising asks, the plan will not magically create the confidence needed to follow through.
To truly maintain priorities, leaders must:
Address emotional resistance and discomfort around key tasks
Recognize that fundraising success comes from relationships, not revenue targets
Build consistent habits that align with long-term goals
Dersch emphasizes that strategy is secondary to mindset. Organizations that focus on developing leadership skills, communication, and resilience will naturally stay on track with their priorities, regardless of what is written in a plan.
Rethinking Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Success
The takeaway is clear: Strategic plans are valuable, but they are not a magic bullet. True nonprofit success comes from:
Embracing uncertainty instead of seeking control
Taking bold action even when outcomes are unclear
Building strong relationships and trust within teams
Focusing on mindset and leadership development alongside strategy
For nonprofits looking to make real, lasting impact, strategic planning should be seen as a flexible guide rather than a rigid set of instructions. Leaders who cultivate adaptability, courage, and strong relationships will be far better positioned for success than those who simply follow a plan.
If you want to supercharge your mindset, learn how to bust through limited thinking and cultivate courage, book a call with Maryanne today!