Pivot or Stand Firm? Inside a Nonprofit’s Hardest Week of Leadership
The last two weeks at Riverside Pride were a masterclass in uncertainty. Rumors spread faster than facts, a public statement from a state leader created pressure on our venue, and suddenly the board found itself navigating a storm of opinions, assumptions, and safety concerns — all while trying to do right by our community.
Every option seemed to carry risk. Should we hold our ground or adjust? Was moving the event a sign of weakness or wisdom? Would the community see adaptation as betrayal, or as leadership? These are the questions that defined our hardest week — and reminded us what effective leadership really demands when the narrative feels out of our control.
1) Start with clarity, not chaos
When misinformation begins circulating, the first step isn’t defense—it’s diagnosis. What exactly is being said? Why might some believe it? Is there anything in our communication or planning that allowed space for misinterpretation?
At Riverside Pride, we created a quick “claim inventory” to separate truth from distortion. This grounded approach turned emotion into information—and gave us the clarity we needed to lead.
Leadership takeaway: You can’t guide others through confusion you haven’t first clarified yourself.
2) When perception collides with intention
Much of the public conversation centered around one portion of the event — a drag performance that had been promoted as family-friendly. While our internal intent was clear, a third party who was unaffiliated with the organization shared the advertisement with their own commentary that changed how it was perceived.
That single post created widespread misunderstanding about the nature of the show and, by extension, about Riverside Pride’s values.
As leaders, we had to pause, step back, and ask the hard questions: How are people interpreting this? What responsibility do we carry for that perception? And how do we ensure that our actions continue to align with our mission and community trust?
Ultimately, the compressed timeline created by our venue change, combined with the reduced program hours and the need to re-evaluate every component through a safety and mission lens, led us to remove that portion of the program. The choice wasn’t made out of pressure—it was made out of principle, prudence, and care for our people and our mission.
Leadership takeaway: Leadership isn’t about proving intentions; it’s about protecting integrity when perception threatens to outpace truth.
3) Re-anchor to mission, flex on tactics
Riverside Pride’s mission is to connect, support, and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community by providing safe spaces to gather, a directory of resources, and a compassionate response to those in need.
That mission became our compass. We didn’t abandon it; we adapted how we lived it. When logistics or safety concerns required venue or schedule adjustments, we made them—not to appease critics, but to uphold safety and inclusion.
Leadership takeaway: Mission is the anchor; tactics are the sail. Adjust direction when needed, but never drift from purpose.
4) Lead with empathy for every stakeholder
Crisis leadership demands an order of care:
Our team first. Staff and volunteers shoulder the heaviest emotional load. We made space for conversation, reassurance, and rest.
Our community next. LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and allies needed consistent reassurance that Pride was still happening—and still theirs.
Our partners always. Venues, vendors, and safety professionals needed timely, factual updates. Transparency built trust when rumor couldn’t.
Leadership takeaway: People remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you said.
5) Make every decision explainable in one honest line
Amid the noise, every Riverside Pride decision had to pass one test: Can we explain it clearly in one sentence?
When asked by the media why we made certain adjustments, I said simply:
“This is about safety, not surrender.”
That statement became our anchor. It captured the heart of every decision — that our responsibility was to protect our people and fulfill our mission, not to bow to misinformation or external pressure.
Leadership takeaway: A decision you can’t explain simply will never stand up publicly.
6) Build, don’t battle
Our instinct could have been to fight misinformation online. Instead, we focused on building stronger systems. We refined layouts, strengthened safety procedures, and improved communication. We responded with professionalism, not reaction.
Leadership takeaway: The best rebuttal to rumor is results.
7) What We Learned
During and after the chaos, we reflected deeply on what this experience taught us.
We learned that our mission is solid, but our strategy and tactics must keep evolving. Strength of purpose doesn’t mean we can’t improve our approach. We can — and we will — demonstrate our commitment to the community not just during Pride season, but throughout the year by showing up, collaborating, and creating meaningful impact that people see and feel. When the community knows you, misinformation doesn’t move as fast.
We learned that collaboration must begin early and extend often — especially with partners and venues. When everyone understands the mission and expectations from the start, trust builds faster, and pivots become easier.
We also discovered that in moments of crisis, democratic leadership isn’t always fast enough. When timing was critical, we had to empower a small group to act quickly and decisively on behalf of the board. That flexibility helped us respond without losing integrity.
And most importantly, we were reminded that our local community is full of allies and advocates who believe in what we do. In our hardest week, people stepped up — offering support, space, security, and encouragement. That outpouring of solidarity was proof that what we’re doing matters, and that we’re not standing alone.
Final word
Leading through misinformation is never easy—especially when perception collides with intention. But when leaders stay anchored to mission, centered on people, and grounded in process, challenge becomes catalyst.
Riverside Pride is stronger today than it was two weeks ago—more united, more prepared, and more determined to help our community feel connected, supported, and safe.
Lead On!
—Mike
The Potential² Performance Lens — a leadership perspective you can apply today.
