PlannedGiving.Com Logo 275x88
Should I Develop People Skills, or Technical Skills?

Should I Develop People Skills, or Technical Skills?

I was once at a planned giving seminar where at least five different people asked me some form of the same old question: “Should I develop people skills, or technical skills?” We frequently get emails from clients asking the same question.

Let me start by answering the question with a question of my own: Did you know that most companies base 80% of their hiring decisions on a candidate’s technical skills, yet 85% of employee turnover is due to behavioral incompatibility?

We are so hung up on fulfilling technical requirements that we frequently forget we’re dealing with people, and fail to identify or analyze the necessary people skills required.

People Skills For the Win

As an individual, people skills are by far the most valuable tools to assemble in your toolkit when you’re seeking success. And as an organization, people skills are by far the most valuable traits to seek out when you’re hiring fundraisers for your nonprofit.

People skills allow you to forge the kinds of relationships that are at the heart of good fundraising. Without some kind of relationship, there can be no “ask,” and certainly no gift.

Don’t Get Technical

Invariably, someone always asks me, “But Viken, what about CRUTs and CRATs? They’re complicated! Shouldn’t a planned giving fundraiser know those first? Shouldn’t we focus on learning the ins and outs of every single gift vehicle?”

Absolutely not. If you really need to, you can always hire an outside professional to assist you with the technical details of planned gifts. But most planned gifts are simple (the majority are bequests). Sure, being one of the rare folks who is gifted with both skills means The Force is truly with you. But if you’re not good with people, you won’t bring in any planned gifts at all — no matter how much you know about them.

Always remember: People give to people, not to institutions. So instead of taking the next course on gift annuities, start at the beginning: Pick up a copy of How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie… an $8 investment that has made millions for millions.

Planned giving is a people business. Not a legal business.

 

Categories: Planned Giving Marketing, Relationships, Self Improvement

Share This Article

Legacy Planner Logo

Making Estate Planning Accessible, Simple, Personal, Secure and FREE!

Empower your donors to plan their will and invest their legacy in the cause they support the most.

[Webinar Recording]

Online Estate Planners: An Interview With Viken Mikaelian

Are you curious about the proliferation of online will makers? Wondering if utilizing one is the right move? Find out what PlannedGiving.Com CEO Viken Mikaelian thinks in a straight-talk Q&A. He answers questions about their sudden popularity (they’ve been around for more than 20 years, after all), whether nonprofits should offer them at all or just advise donors to visit an attorney, and more.

We're the Authority on Planned Giving Marketing:

Leave a Reply

Reach out! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

800-490-7090
succeed@plannedgiving.com

We value your privacy and keep your
information private. We do not spam.