Culture by Accident or Design? Creating Strong Teams in Mission-Driven Organizations

Ever wondered why purpose-driven teams sometimes struggle to focus or how a strong sense of belonging can make tough decisions even harder? In this episode, experts Andrea Gunn and Liana Paris pull back the curtain on the unique dynamics, surprising challenges, and powerful strategies inside high-impact animal advocacy organizations. Tune in for real-world insights that just might change how you think about leadership and culture.

Liana Paris is a speaker and organizational leader known for her focus on impactful strategy. Drawing from her recent talks, she emphasizes that organizations often try to do too much, losing effectiveness. Liana encourages teams to prioritize their strengths, arguing that it’s better to excel at a few things than to spread themselves too thin.

Andrea Gunn is a dedicated animal advocate motivated by the enormous challenge of animal agriculture. Over 10 billion animals are raised and killed for food yearly in the US alone. She knows firsthand the pressures that come with mission-driven work, especially for organizations that may be the only voice for animals in their region. While acknowledging the urge to tackle every animal issue, Andrea believes in the power of focus to create meaningful change. Her work is rooted in empathy for fellow advocates and a commitment to effective, strategic action for animals.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

• Focus is powerful: Nonprofit leaders are most effective when they prioritize and avoid trying to do too much.
• Culture requires intention: Strong teams reflect on what behaviors they reward and tolerate, shaping culture purposefully as they grow.
• Belonging has pros and cons: Deep connection to the mission builds motivation but can make tough staffing decisions more emotionally charged.
• Healthy conflict is necessary: Clear, honest conversations—even when uncomfortable—are vital for growth and alignment.
• Leader support matters: Coaching, mentorship, and leadership development help mission-driven leaders navigate challenges and make better decisions.

Todays guest, Andrea Gunn, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.sharpenstrategy.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreamgunn/

Todays guest, Liana Paris, can be found online at:

Website: https://www.sharpenstrategy.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianaparis/

Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:

Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/

Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/