218. The Nonprofit Volunteer Management Skills I Wish I Had When I Started

Jun 11, 2026

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Most volunteer leaders learn on the job, through trial and error, and sometimes burnout. But what if you could start with the skills that really matter?

In this episode, Tobi Johnson draws on 25+ years of experience to share the essential skills she wishes she had from day one. You'll learn why self‑regulation and emotional resilience are critical for preventing burnout and leading with clarity. She also breaks down strategic planning that connects program design, metrics, and budgets, including how to advocate for volunteer‑related expenses.

Tobi also tackles change management and influence, especially when you don't have formal authority. Her participatory leadership approach helps you engage stakeholders, manage resistance, and build trusted teams. Plus, she offers a free worksheet to help you develop your personal leadership philosophy.

If you're ready to lead with confidence and create lasting impact, this episode is your toolkit.

Skills I Wish I Had – Episode Highlights

[00:00] Introduction to Volunteer Management Skills
[04:08] Top Nonprofit Volunteer Management Skills
[08:46] Emotional Self-Regulation in Leadership
[12:54] Strategic Planning for Nonprofits
[17:08] Budgeting for Volunteer Programs
[24:10] Change Management and Influence
[31:12] Participatory Leadership and Collaboration

Helpful Links

Jooin us for VisionWeek 2027 HERE >> https://volpro.net/vision/

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [email protected].