How one leader transformed his management approach with Humentum’s training

Strong leadership is the backbone of effective humanitarian and development work. For Amanuel Abera, Head of Programs at WEEMA International, managing people and delivering results at scale required a sharper set of skills.

WEEMA partners with rural communities in southwestern Ethiopia to expand access to clean water, improve education, strengthen healthcare, and support sustainable food systems. Amanuel, who oversees multiple teams and programs across these areas, knew he needed practical tools to lead with clarity and purpose. That’s what led him to Humentum’s Management Skills for Nonprofits and NGOs course training, a course that helped reshape the way he approaches his role.

Amanuel’s journey in development

Amanuel’s passion for community work started early. Before completing his degree in economics and development studies, he volunteered with local initiatives, teaching children and supporting grassroots programs. “I wanted to be a voice for those who had no voice,” he shared. This commitment led him to a career in the nonprofit sector, where he quickly took on leadership roles.

He started his career leading teams in child development projects, mentoring young people, and managing community-based initiatives. Over time, his focus shifted to partnership management, program oversight, and leadership development. After several years at Compassion International, he moved to WEEMA International, starting as an M&E Manager before stepping into his current position as Head of Programs. Today, he oversees large-scale initiatives across clean water, health, education, and food security.

Finding the right training

As part of WEEMA’s commitment to professional development, the leadership team sought out training opportunities to strengthen their staff. They connected with Humentum through their executive team, which had been exploring ways to enhance skills across the organization. After reviewing a list of training options provided by Humentum, Amanuel knew Management Skills for NGOs was the right fit for his role.

Lessons that stuck

From the start, Amanuel found the course engaging and practical, particularly the breakout sessions where participants shared real-world challenges and solutions. But what stood out most was the content itself.
One of the most valuable takeaways for him was understanding the different roles of a manager. He learned to balance responsibilities between people and tasks, focusing on key areas such as:

• Communicating with intent – Learning to listen actively and provide clear, actionable feedback.
• Adapting leadership styles – Understanding when to direct, coach, support, or delegate based on the needs of his team.
• Strengthening team dynamics – Building trust, collaboration, and accountability across departments.
• Providing constructive feedback – Delivering guidance in a way that encourages growth rather than discouragement.

Putting new skills into action

After completing the training, Amanuel immediately began applying what he had learned. One major shift was his approach to feedback—he became more intentional about making it constructive and solution-oriented.

He also introduced regular follow-up meetings with program managers, creating space for structured planning and problem-solving. These changes led to better coordination, improved project delivery, reduced miscommunication, and a more cohesive team dynamic.

A particularly eye-opening lessons for Amanuel was the Hersey-Blanchard Situational Leadership Model, which introduced him to the four leadership styles: directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating. This framework gave him a more strategic approach to managing his team, ensuring that each team member received the right level of guidance and autonomy based on their experience and confidence in a given task.

Advice for NGO Leaders

For Amanuel, professional growth is a lifelong journey.

For him, Management Skills for NGOs wasn’t just another training—it was an experience that strengthened his ability to lead with confidence. By refining his leadership approach, he’s helping WEEMA run more efficiently, streamline operations, and strengthen its community programs.

Build resilient teams with Humentum

In an unpredictable funding and operational landscape, effective leadership and resilience is essential. Humentum’s trainings help NGO professionals develop the leadership, financial, and compliance skills needed to adapt and thrive.

Choose from:

• In-house trainings delivered to your organization to align teams and close skill gaps
• Self-paced courses for flexible, individual learning; anytime, anywhere
• A growing library of courses and discount options tailored to organizational needs

Investing in skills today means a stronger, more resilient organization tomorrow.

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