--- title: "Principle Impact: Maximize Performance with Principles for Nonprofit Leaders | Don Stephenson (3)" 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. (3)" --- [Skip to content](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson/page/3#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. [![Lipstick on a pig image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Lipstick%20on%20a%20pig.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [Don't put lipstick on a pig.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 28, 2024 5:27:47 PM Let me first share a personal story. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/The%20obstacle%20is%20the%20path.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) [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) ## [The obstacle is the path.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 15, 2024 2:59:07 PM This is one of the first core principles I ever followed. It is one of my favorites. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Small%20hinges%20swing%20big%20doors.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/small-hinges-swing-big-doors) [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) ## [Small hinges swing BIG doors.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/small-hinges-swing-big-doors) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 8, 2024 11:17:52 AM [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/small-hinges-swing-big-doors) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/go-big-go-home-inscription-chalk-blackboard-35271295.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/go-big-or-go-home) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact) ## [Go BIG or go home](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/go-big-or-go-home) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Feb 23, 2024 2:32:42 PM I hope you are enjoying a fun and productive week. We’re now going to switch gears a bit. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/go-big-or-go-home) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Seek%20first%20to%20understand.png)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [Seek first to understand, then to be understood.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Feb 16, 2024 4:47:32 PM Hey there, fellow business owners and nonprofit executives! Today, we're staying with Stephen Covey ... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/seek-first-to-understand-then-to-be-understood) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Big%20Journeys%20Begin%20With%20Small%20Steps%20sign%20on%20desert%20road.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/begin-with-the-end-in-mind) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership) ## [Begin with the end in mind.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/begin-with-the-end-in-mind) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jan 30, 2024 3:19:06 PM I must confess, I am a Stephen Covey “raving fan!” Always have been. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/begin-with-the-end-in-mind) [![Mindsets image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Mindset.png)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/as-a-man-thinkest-so-is-he) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [As a man thinkest, so is he!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/as-a-man-thinkest-so-is-he) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jan 9, 2024 9:03:38 AM As a man thinkest in his heart, so is he! [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/as-a-man-thinkest-so-is-he) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/3d%20stainless%20human%20social%20network%20and%20leadership%20as%20concept.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-extended-impact-right-for-you) [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) ## [Is Extended Impact right for you?](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-extended-impact-right-for-you) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Dec 29, 2023 9:43:12 AM Before we begin our journey to explore impactful principles, let’s first take a short off-ramp. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/is-extended-impact-right-for-you) [![Image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Learning%20Never%20Ends%20written%20on%20the%20road.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/a-journey-of-learning-to-maximize-your-organizations-performance) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [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), [Partnerships](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/partnerships), [Fundraising](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/fundraising), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [A journey of learning to maximize your organization's performance.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/a-journey-of-learning-to-maximize-your-organizations-performance) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Dec 15, 2023 3:18:09 PM In last week’s introductory post, we shared Extended Impact’s North Star. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/a-journey-of-learning-to-maximize-your-organizations-performance) [![Key Principles ](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Principles.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/it-is-the-principle-of-the-thing) [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [It is the principle of the thing!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/it-is-the-principle-of-the-thing) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Dec 5, 2023 10:30:22 AM How would you like to guarantee your outcome? Or increase your odds of success? Sure, you would, who... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/it-is-the-principle-of-the-thing) [First](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) [Prev](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson/page/2) [1](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) [2](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson/page/2) [3](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson/page/3) Next Last ## Access a Fractional Philanthropic Strategist Get help spotting opportunities and solving problems. Increase your capabilities and fine-tune strategies and execution. Pick the right path for growth and impact.  [Find out how](https://meetings.hubspot.com/don207/lets-connect) [linkedin-in icon](https://www.linkedin.com/in/donstephenson) - [Home](https://extendedimpact.com) - [About](https://extendedimpact.com/about) - [Contact](https://extendedimpact.com/contact) - [Services](https://extendedimpact.com/services) --- [![Logo](https://extendedimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EIMG%20stone%20pyramid-1.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=EIMG%20stone%20pyramid-1.jpg "Logo")](https://extendedimpact.com/) 11 Parklands Dr., Unit 1227, Bluffton SC 29910 Email: [don@extendedimpact.com](mailto:don@extendedimpact.com)  Direct: (843) 940-7012 Copyright © 2026, Extended Impact Management Group LLC