Years ago, I interviewed for an Executive Director position at a start-up agency for youth at risk.

I didn't have a vision, nor did I have any context for the organization's work.

What I did have was a ton of excitement and positivity about making some great things happen for kids in my community.

I didn't know when I started that I was about to confront The Virus; a subtle toxicity that exists inside every nonprofit.

Over time, I discovered that The Virus actually lives inside the people who lead, the people who serve as board members and volunteers, and the people who work there.

Walk through the doors of any nonprofit, and you'll find two conversations going on simultaneously.

One conversation is that of antics. The other is that of focus.

The “antics” conversation is led by Politicians. The “focus” conversation is led by Changemakers.

Which conversation each person engages in every day decides how successful that organization will be.

Politicians show up quite often on Boards - people who are there only for the headline and the photo opp. They are only there to be thanked for doing a great job.

Politicians who lead a nonprofit create a pond where all the goldfish are from the same family.

Their middle name is “status quo.” The bar is set low, just enough to keep some money flowing.

There will be enough output to justify the organization's existence, but not enough to actually penetrate the community.

9 out of 10 nonprofit leaders show up this way.

Changemakers are another variety, and quite rare. Only 1 in 10.

This is the nonprofit leader who goes in with tools (including a jackhammer), prepared to rip up the foundation, figure out what's making it the way it is, and decide what to do about it.

Changemakers take control of the quality vs. take control of the perception.

The dynamic between Politicians and Changemakers runs the nonprofit sector.

It's an "us vs. them" mentality. Two opposing forces.

Politicians want to keep things the way they are while reinforcing how good they are, and how much good they do.

Changemakers call out the nonsense and deal with it every day in their backyard.

What's being lost in the war? The Mission. The actual work we all claim to be here for, our raison d’etre.

Nonprofit leaders - will you respond to antics, or will you focus the work?

Will you succumb to the staff member who chooses to meddle and undermine, or will you redirect them to do what they are paid for?

When you lead a nonprofit, the opportunity every day is to choose what you're going to do to move the needle of the Mission.

As a nonprofit leader, you are either feeding The Virus - or starving it. Choose wisely.

Sheree Allison merges the worlds of fundraising, marketing, and leadership combined with an entrepreneurial spirit to train and develop nonprofit leaders who are committed to building a world class organization. Connect and learn more about her "rags to riches" nonprofit success story, her book, and her weekly column at www.shereeallison.com.