Authentic Passion - Work and Service
- Tom Iselin
- Jul 7, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Authentic Passion - Work and Service
Today, I want to introduce another essential tactic: work and service, also known as engagement.
When Passion Is Still Just Talk
Let’s assume you’ve done some important groundwork.
You’ve updated your mission, vision, and purpose statements. Everyone says they understand the big picture. People claim they’re committed and passionate about helping.
Sounds great, right?
But now what?
Until commitment shows up as work and service, it’s still lip service passion.
Authentic passion doesn’t live in words—it lives in action.
From Lip Service to Engagement
The next step in developing authentic passion is transforming the idea of work and service into a culture of work and service—a true culture of engagement.
This may seem obvious, but we’ve all seen:
Disengaged board members
Aimless or underutilized staff
Volunteers who want to help but don’t know how
Lots of talk. Very little action.
Engagement Requires Clarity
If you expect people to be engaged—and you should—they must clearly understand:
What they are expected to do
Why the work matters
How the work should be done
Surprisingly, many nonprofits fail at this basic level. Some don’t have:
Defined job descriptions for staff
Clear roles and responsibilities for volunteers
Explicit expectations for board members
The result is predictable: apathy, confusion, and poor performance.
Becoming a “Do Something” Nonprofit
If you’re serious about building a gold standard nonprofit—a true “Do Something” organization—you must intentionally define the work that needs to be done.
That means identifying:
What work exists
Who is available to do it
How it aligns with people’s time, skills, expertise, and availability
This is where a work matrix becomes invaluable.
How to Use a Work Matrix
A work matrix is a simple but powerful planning tool.
Here’s how it works:
List all necessary work in rows
List the names of available people across the top
Assign tasks based on ability, willingness, time, and availability
This exercise forces clarity and exposes gaps. It helps leaders move from assumptions to action.
Applying the Matrix Across the Organization
Chief executives and managers can use work matrices for:
Operations
Programming
Fundraising
Volunteer management
Boards can create similar matrices centered on board responsibilities and expectations.
Once established, the matrix can be expanded to include:
How work should be done
When work is due
Simple. Practical. Effective.
Why This Matters So Much
All of this may sound rudimentary—almost too obvious.
So why do so many nonprofits struggle with disengaged boards, unfocused staff, and underperforming volunteers?
Because many operate under a veneer of lip service passion, not authentic passion.
People want to feel their efforts matter. They want to know their work contributes meaningfully to the mission.
Where Authentic Passion Thrives
Authentic passion flourishes when commitment is clearly defined and consistently acted upon.
That means:
Expectations are explicit
Work is assigned intentionally
People are held accountable
Effort is recognized and praised
When people roll up their sleeves and contribute through real work and service, authentic passion takes root and grows.
Takeaways
To build a culture of authentic passion:
Move beyond talk to action
Define work clearly and intentionally
Match tasks to people’s strengths and availability
Use simple tools like a work matrix
Hold people accountable and celebrate follow-through
Engagement doesn’t happen by accident.
Summary
Authentic passion is revealed through work and service—not words alone. If you want a “Do Something” culture, you must give people clear ways to engage and meaningful opportunities to contribute.
A simple work matrix is one of the easiest and most effective places to start.
Define the work. Assign it thoughtfully. Support it consistently.
That’s how authentic passion becomes action—and how great nonprofits get things done.
Tom Iselin
“One of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators”
Additional Resources:
Articles
Tom's Books, Podcasts, and YouTube Channel
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
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