--- title: "Principle Impact: Maximize Performance with Principles for Nonprofit Leaders | Don Stephenson (2)" description: "As a management consultant and business development specialist with 30 years of fundraising experience across North America, Don brings a vast amount of unique experience and expertise to nonprofit leaders. Through Extended Impact Management Group LLC, YOU are the focus. YOU gain quick upfront value at no cost, the ability to \"test the waters,\" project customization, and complete control over the partner relationship YOU select. (2)" --- [Skip to content](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson/page/2#main-content) ![EIMG stone pyramid](https://extendedimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EIMG%20stone%20pyramid.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=EIMG%20stone%20pyramid.jpg) - [Home](https://extendedimpact.com/) - [About](https://extendedimpact.com/about) - [Contact](https://extendedimpact.com/contact) - [Services](https://extendedimpact.com/services) Show submenu for Services - [My Biz Dev Revenue Strategist](https://extendedimpact.com/services/my-bd-revenue-advisor) - [My Fractional Project Manager](https://extendedimpact.com/services/fractional-consulting) - [My Extended Enterprise](https://extendedimpact.com/services/quarterbacked-relations) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://extendedimpact.com/) - [About](https://extendedimpact.com/about) - [Contact](https://extendedimpact.com/contact) - [Services](https://extendedimpact.com/services) Show submenu for Services - [My Biz Dev Revenue Strategist](https://extendedimpact.com/services/my-bd-revenue-advisor) - [My Fractional Project Manager](https://extendedimpact.com/services/fractional-consulting) - [My Extended Enterprise](https://extendedimpact.com/services/quarterbacked-relations) - [Contact us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/don207/lets-connect) [Contact us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/don207/lets-connect) # Blog Be principles-based and maximize your impact. [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20office%20environment%20with%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20professionals%20engaged%20in%20a%20collaborative%20meeting%20A%20large%20screen%20displays%20colorful%20infographics%20that%20emphasize%20key%20principles%20of%20optimizing%20an%20organization%20highlighting%20terms%20like.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/build-an-optimized-organization) [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [Build an Optimized Organization!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/build-an-optimized-organization) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Apr 30, 2025 10:47:19 AM What do we mean by optimized? The dictionary defines optimize as: [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/build-an-optimized-organization) [![Sifting for opportunities image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20portrays%20a%20serene%20sunlit%20garden%20filled%20with%20lush%20green%20plants%20and%20vibrant%20flowers%20in%20full%20bloom%20In%20the%20center%20a%20man%20kneels%20by%20a%20small%20stream%20his%20fingers%20sifting%20through%20the%20soft%20white%20sands%20revealing%20glimmers%20of%20diamonds%20that%20catch%20the%20ligh-1.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [Uncover Your Own "Acres of Diamonds"](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Apr 13, 2025 1:59:04 PM And now for another Impact Principle. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) [![The "charity" elephant in the room."](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4E22AQEp3ppwT3HLgQ/feedshare-shrink_800/feedshare-shrink_800/0/1705909153385?e=1744848000&v=beta&t=gTeiRrokqKbq482w_17WgmLyPYSaBRWN7qiXzJ6MNtA)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership) ## [The elephant in the room!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 13, 2025 12:11:30 PM We all want to work in optimized organizations. You know enterprises that are high-performers and op... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20modern%20office%20environment%20filled%20with%20bright%2c%20natural%20light.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/first-things-first) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact) ## [First things first!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/first-things-first) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 7, 2025 4:55:50 PM I work with business leaders who have the drive and desire for optimized organizations. I help guide... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/first-things-first) [![Communicating strategy in action](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20corporate%20meeting%20room%20filled%20with%20diverse%20professionals%20engaged%20in%20a%20collaborative%20discussion.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-hardest-thing-in-strategy-is-not-strategy.-it-is-communication) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy) ## [The hardest thing in strategy is NOT strategy. It is communication!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-hardest-thing-in-strategy-is-not-strategy.-it-is-communication) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Feb 12, 2025 3:09:48 PM Effective communication is central to every high performing enterprise. From the executive suite thr... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-hardest-thing-in-strategy-is-not-strategy.-it-is-communication) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20structured%20pyramid%20divided%20into%20three%20main%20sections%20Purpose%20at%20the%20top%2c%20Strategy%20in%20the%20middle%2c%20and%20Execution%20at%20the%20base.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-strategy-pyramid) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy) ## [The Strategy Pyramid](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-strategy-pyramid) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jan 28, 2025 12:57:09 PM Credit for this content and image goes to Igor Buinevici. You can connect with Igor. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-strategy-pyramid) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20features%20a%20modern%2c%20sleek%20infographic%20divided%20into%20four%20quadrants%2c%20each%20illustrating%20a%20different%20concept%20related%20to%20strategy%20and%20planning.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-strategy-and-planning-the-same-thing) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy) ## [Is strategy and planning the same thing?](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-strategy-and-planning-the-same-thing) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jan 21, 2025 2:21:47 PM Happy 2025! Here's wishing you much health, wealth, and happiness throughout this New Year and beyon... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-strategy-and-planning-the-same-thing) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/What%20gets%20measured%2c%20gets%20managed.webp)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [What gets measured, gets managed.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jul 30, 2024 12:19:10 PM You need to track and measure activities, performance, and outcomes. This allows you to know if you ... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) [![The devil is in the details](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/the%20devil%20is%20in%20the%20details.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-devil-is-in-the-details) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact) ## [The devil is in the details.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-devil-is-in-the-details) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jun 17, 2024 2:32:44 PM Ludwig Mies van der Rohe has been attributed to coming up with “the devil is in the details.” He may... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-devil-is-in-the-details) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/The%20fortune%20is%20in%20the%20follow-up%20-%20edited.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-fortune-is-in-the-follow-up) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [The fortune is in the follow-up.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-fortune-is-in-the-follow-up) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Apr 17, 2024 11:19:25 AM I believe Jim Rohn, who is an American entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker, is attributed... 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