December’s theme for The Purpose Playbook is Adapting to a New Administration and New Realities. This month, we’re addressing the seismic changes nonprofits face under the new administration, where the political and cultural ground has shifted yet again. To remain impactful, nonprofits must embrace three critical shifts: shifting mindsets from outrage and despair to purpose, from reactive fixes to systemic transformation, and from isolated efforts to interconnected alliances. By mastering these shifts, nonprofits can adapt their strategies to the new realities and move beyond reactive mode to remain sustainable and effective as powerful catalysts for meaningful and lasting change.
For those of us who have dedicated our lives to social justice, the election results created a tidal wave of collective grief - a heavy realization that the systems we have committed to changing were once again putting those we've fought for at even greater risk. For many of us in the nonprofit sector, this new administration feels like a direct attack on the communities we serve and the causes to which we’ve dedicated our lives. Whether it’s the rollback of environmental protections, threats to human rights, or a deepening of economic inequities, it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher.
If you’re angry, welcome to the club. Anger is a natural response to injustice and can be a powerful motivator. But here’s the truth: outrage is not a strategy. If we let our actions be driven solely by anger, we risk burning out before we can create the change we desperately need.
If you feel fearful or despair, you are not alone. The future is uncertain and threatening for most of us. But despair and fear, while normal and understandable, are paralyzing emotions and they prevent us from taking the actions we need to take to move forward
I say this from experience. Growing up in Central America, I have witnessed the cycles of political oppression and resistance firsthand. I’ve seen people channel their rage into action, their voices rising in defiance, and others collapse under the weight of anger and despair that had nowhere to go. As a young activist, I was no different. I threw myself into the fight, believing the fire of outrage alone could carry me. And for a while, it did. But over time, I began to see that anger without a long-term vision and strategy burns hot and fast—it consumes everything in its path, including the people who carry it.
That realization didn’t come easily. My work as an activist didn’t stop; it evolved. It continues to this day, but with a different energy—one grounded in purpose and systemic vision rather than raw emotion. I learned that outrage, while valid and necessary at times, is not enough. It ignites action, but it can’t sustain the long, difficult work of systemic change. Purpose, on the other hand, is steady. It transforms anger into resilience, channeling that energy into something that endures.
This shift wasn’t about letting go of my fears or anger. It was about learning to hold them differently—to honor them as catalysts without letting them consume me. And that’s what I hope to share with you: how to take fear and the fire of outrage and turn them into something that lasts, something that drives meaningful, lasting change.
One of the ultimate ways to fight back is to master your own mind, your thoughts, and your emotions. While this may not seem directly related to resisting oppression, it is an essential skill that shows up in how you lead, how you perform under pressure, your level of resiliency, and your impact. Let me show you how.
How to Shift Your Mindset
As a nonprofit leader, you’re not just responsible for your emotional response—you’re responsible for setting the emotional tone for your organization. Your team looks to you for guidance, stability, and clarity, especially during turbulent times. If you’re stuck in cycles of reactivity out of fear or anger, it can ripple through your organization, creating confusion, errors, and burnout.
The three shifts I’m about to outline aren’t just tools for personal resilience; they’re essential for leading effectively. They help you build the mental and emotional stamina needed to navigate complexity, make strategic decisions, and inspire your team to stay focused on the mission. When you model purposeful action, you empower those around you to do the same.
This isn’t about suppressing your anger, pretending everything is fine, or not doing anything and just indulging in soothing your wounds. But we cannot keep doing the same things (even doubling down on our efforts) the same way and expect different results, especially when the circumstances are already so different. Managing emotion is the first and essential step to see clearly and, from a grounded perspective, shift your strategies. Here’s how:
Create Space to Feel and Reflect
When emotions are high, the first instinct is to freeze or impulsively react. We want to do something—anything—to stop feeling the way we do, to feel like we’re making a difference. But reacting impulsively often leads to actions that are scattered and unsustainable. The first step in shifting from fear and outrage to purpose is counterintuitive: pause.
Anger, fear, and despair are powerful emotions that can cloud your judgment. You need to create space to process them before you act. Here’s how:
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Name Your Emotions: It sounds simple, but research shows that naming your feelings can reduce their intensity. Say it out loud: “I’m angry.” “I’m scared.” “I feel hopeless.” Naming the emotion takes away some of its power over you.
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Breathe: When you’re overwhelmed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. Deep breathing can help reset your nervous system and create clarity. Try inhaling for four counts, holding for four, exhaling for four, and holding for four again. Repeat until you feel calm.
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Write It Out: Journaling is a powerful tool for processing emotions. Write down everything you’re feeling without judgment. This isn’t about solving the problem; it’s about getting the storm of emotions out of your head and onto the page.
Pausing to feel and reflect doesn’t mean you’re ignoring the urgency of the moment. It means you’re preparing yourself to act with clarity and intention.
Reframe Your Narrative
When we’re angry or scared, our minds create stories. “This is hopeless.” “We’re going to lose everything.” “There’s nothing we can do.” These narratives can feel true at the moment, but they often distort reality and keep us stuck in the emotional cycle.
To shift from despair or outrage to purposeful action, you need to challenge these stories and reframe them into something that gives you back a sense of agency.
Start by asking yourself these questions:
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What is within my control? Instead of focusing on what’s broken, identify where you can make a difference. Maybe you can’t change a law overnight, but you can mobilize your network, strengthen your community, or increase your organization’s capacity.
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What does this make possible? This is a tough question to ask when everything feels overwhelming, but it opens the door to possibility. For example, a funding cut or a new policy might push you to explore new partnerships or rethink outdated strategies.
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What is the next right step? Instead of trying to solve the whole problem at once, focus on the next action you can take. Purposeful action isn’t about doing everything; it’s about doing the right thing, one step at a time. If you feel confused or uncertain about the right next step, talk to others, gather your community, and listen to other people and groups similar and different than yours for cues. Sharing views, ideas, and concerns helps everyone get the bigger picture and clarity about the steps.
Reframing isn’t about denying the challenges you face—it’s about choosing a mindset that empowers you to move forward.
Reconnect With the People You Serve
Fear and outrage pull us inward, narrowing our focus and causing us to lose sight of why -and what- we’re fighting in the first place. Shifting from fear and outrage to purposeful action means stepping out of that emotional loop and remembering who your work is truly for. It’s not just about your feelings; it’s about the people you work for and with.
Here’s how this shift works: when you bring your attention back to the communities you serve, you transform your anger into a deeper sense of responsibility. Instead of being fueled by what you’re against, you’re motivated by what you’re fighting for. That focus gives you clarity. It helps you channel your energy into actions that make a tangible difference.
Try this:
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Show up: Be present. Get out into the community, get them together, create spaces for interacting and sharing, and connect with the people impacted by your work and the circumstances. Reach out to your donors and allies—especially those in elected office—so they know where you stand and how they can support your efforts. Visibility builds trust and reinforces your commitment to the cause.
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Listen: Fear and outrage often cause us to focus on what we think should happen. Purposeful action starts with asking, “What do the people we serve need most right now?” Listen to their stories, struggles, and hopes. Let their needs guide your priorities and decisions. Just as you’ve processed your emotions, help facilitate spaces for others to do the same. Host listening sessions, community gatherings, or even informal conversations that allow people to express their grief, anger, and frustration. Shared emotions can build solidarity and open the door to collective action.
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Tap into the collective’s intelligence and creativity: When things get scary or confusing, we tend to close our circles and gather with those we already know and trust. This is a natural response that helps us feel safe and validated. But it reinforces confirmation biases that can blind us to alternative views and solutions. Listen for new perspectives, alternatives, and approaches. Use your (extended) community's collective intelligence and creativity to find previously unseen perspectives and solutions.
By reconnecting with the people you serve—and those who share similar concerns—you remind yourself that your work isn’t just about resisting harm—it’s about building something better. That shift from reactive to proactive is the essence of purposeful action. When you engage directly with the community, you transform outrage into shared strength and focused momentum.
A Few Reminders and an Invitation
These steps aren’t a quick fix. They won’t erase the anger, fear, or heartbreak you’re feeling right now. The work ahead will still be hard. And there is much to be done. But shifting from fear and outrage to purposeful action will give you the clarity and strength to keep moving forward—not just for a day or a week, but for as long as it takes.
This is a moment to lean into each other. None of us can navigate this alone, and we don’t have to. Despite the adversity of the circumstances, every change brings opportunities for us to shift our mindset, update our models, change our strategies, and build new alliances. We should focus on that and use it in our favor, not just for the immediate future but for the long run. I’m here—not as an expert with all the answers, but as someone who’s walked this path and knows how heavy it can feel. If you ever need someone to talk to, someone who understands the weight of leading through uncertainty, please reach out.
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