The Power of Innovative Thinking for Nonprofit Success

On this episode of The Better Samaritan, Leah Kral, Senior Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Mercatus Center, joins us to discuss her transition from the profit-driven marketplace to a life enriched by service and social progress. 

Our conversation with Leah explores effective leadership and the role of innovation within the nonprofit realm. Leah shares six principles from her book that—when followed—allow organizations to dream big, start small, and foster a culture where collaboration and empowerment thrive. Her stories, filled with successes and challenges, reveal the complex yet rewarding nature of sparking actual societal change.

As we discover, the journey to progress through innovation isn't without its stumbles; failure and faith often walk hand in hand. Through this candid conversation about the necessity of risk-taking and the nuanced role of faith in leadership, we're reminded that the road most worth taking is one paved with humility and curiosity.

Bio:

Leah Kral is an expert facilitator and author who helps nonprofits innovate and further social change. As senior director of strategy and innovation at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, Leah Kral provides tailored workshops and consulting to internal teams and a network of nonprofit partners nationwide. For decades, she has been helping teams to break out of the busy daily routine and draw out their best creative thinking. She is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Jamaica ‘02-’04) and continues to serve as an active volunteer in her community. 

Resources:

Leah’s website

Leah’s book, Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Non-Profits Inspire and Deliver Results

HDI’s MA in Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership degree

Spiritual First Aid Certification Course

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This episode was produced by WildfireCreative 

Theme Song: “Turning Over Tables” by The Brilliance

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(Note to the listener: In this podcast, sometimes we'll host Evangelicals, and sometimes we won't. Learning how to do better involves listening to many perspectives with different insights and understanding. Sometimes, it will make us uncomfortable; sometimes, we'll agree, and sometimes, we won't. We think that's good. We want to listen for correction– especially in our blind spots.)

The Better Samaritan podcast is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, which offers an M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership and a Trauma Certificate. To learn more and apply, visit our website.

Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and Kent Annan, M.Div., co-direct the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and are the Co-Founders of Spiritual First Aid.

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