Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Adrien Lewis To affect big change in the world, a nonprofit leader must be willing to take risks and must be willing to fail along the way. To put it simply, it takes courage. Today’s guest, Adrien Lewis, explains what is required to be a courageous leader.  Rob’s guest, Adrien Lewis, is the founder and President of CarePortal. CarePortal is a technology platform that drives action for local kids and families in crisis all over the US. They do this by connecting people who need help with people who want to help, through their care-sharing network. Adrien explains what his platform, CarePortal, is about and why he and his wife started the company. Through this care-sharing network, families across the United States can receive the help and hope they need to move forward. Adrien shares that the road to starting CarePortal was paved with lessons and failures, yet they didn’t give up on their mission to help children in need. He wants nonprofit leaders to know that courage is not the absence of fear, but it means pushing through your fears and failures. In order to establish a culture of courage, Adrien believes you must acknowledge the courageous actions of those you lead. He also believes that true courage requires a heart of humility. Adrien shares examples of leaders he admires who are both humble and courageous. Finally, Adrien describes a wonderful collaboration between CarePortal and the Stand Together Foundation and how they are making a difference on a national level. Mentioned: CarePortal Connect with Adrien on LinkedIn Sound of Hope film This Episode is sponsored by: Links to Resources: Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/  Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page

David Dye Conflict happens in the workplace, whether we like to admit it or not. According to a recent survey, 70% of people worldwide report experiencing the same or worsening levels of conflict in the past few years. Today’s guest, David Dye, describes the factors contributing to increasing levels of workplace conflict and how to manage it effectively. David is an author, podcaster, and nonprofit consultant. He also co-authored the new book, Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict, a guide to mastering workplace conflict with confidence and ease. In preparation for his newest book, David and his co-author Karin Hurt conducted a worldwide survey to understand the current workplace conflict trends. David lists the factors currently contributing to these trends, including overwhelm and poor management practices. He believes not all conflict is destructive and that there can be healthy, positive “conflict” if we are intentional about how we go about it. David explains the four dimensions of healthy conflict listed in his book. He also offers examples, directly from the book, of a few powerful phrases to help foster collaboration. David offers practical advice on how to say “no” without creating conflict and suggests what to do if you feel ignored at work. Finally, David encourages us to speak up and avoid staying silent, since it deprives everyone of the opportunity to make positive change. Mentioned:Order the book: Powerful Phrases for Dealing with Workplace Conflict  Connect with David on LinkedIn  Leadership Without Losing Your Soul Podcast  Let’s Grow Leaders FREE resource guides  This episode is sponsored by @IconMedia This Podcast is sponsored by: Links to Resources:Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page

Erik Hanberg We often discuss topics related to fundraising, branding, and culture. While these are all important areas of discussion, there is another critical topic we must focus on as nonprofit leaders. This topic is board governance. Today’s guest, Erik Hanberg, shares how nonprofits can effectively approach board recruitment and development. Rob’s guest, Erik Hanberg, is a consultant who works with nonprofits in board governance and fundraising. He is also the author of various books, one of which is called, The Little Book of Boards: A Board Member’s Handbook for Small (and Very Small) Nonprofits. Erik believes many nonprofits need to pivot their recruiting process for their boards because the typical process is inefficient. He lists the steps involved in the process, including how to find potential members, how long the process should take, and the most important traits they should look for in a board member. Erik understands that not all board members can be high achievers. He believes that as long as they establish a strong system based on rules and culture, having lower-level members on the board is fine. He also shares how a nonprofit should approach a situation where a toxic member must be let go. Erik believes it is essential to start training new members before their first meeting with the board, and what the onboarding process should look like. Finally, he explains why he is in favor of term limits, and why he does not advocate for specific job duties for members.  Mentioned: Check out Erik’s Books  Connect with Erik on LinkedIn  This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox: Quorum:  Links to Resources: Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/  Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page

Alex Budak, professor at University of California, Berkeley and author of “Becoming a Changemaker.” Are you a leader at a nonprofit who wants to bring about change, but you don’t think your idea will be welcomed by the rest of the team? Are you struggling to get everyone on board with this new mission and feel your efforts are futile?  Today’s guest, Alex Budak, explains that you don’t need everyone on board before bringing change and how you can become a more effective change maker.  Rob’s guest, Alex Budak, is a professor at University of California, Berkeley as well as the author of “Becoming a Changemaker.” His book is a fresh, inspiring and research-backed guide to developing the mindsets and leadership skills needed to navigate, shape, and lead change and to make a positive impact in our lives, career, and communities.  Alex explains why resistance to change is normal in an organization, and what leaders can do to effectively overcome that resistance. He shares that he had an epiphany moment while living in India, that greatly influenced the work he is doing now as a professor. Alex describes a new concept called “micro-leadership” and how each one of us can put this into practice everyday. He goes into what the common traits are that change makers have and what it actually means to be resilient. Alex shares why action is necessary if a leader seeks to have an impact. He explains the initial steps leaders should take when trying to influence their team to come on board with change. Finally, Alex explains the one area that nonprofit leaders are leaning too heavily on and what they need to do to be successful. #FromTheArchives Mentioned: Connect with Alex on LinkedIn Check out his book Changemaker Index Changemaker Canvas This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox Quorum

Anum Qadir It’s no secret we appreciate hearing insights from The Bridgespan Group on the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast. We invite two more voices from their organization to speak on relevant topics in the nonprofit space. Today’s guests, Anum Qadir and Christian Celeste Tate, discuss current trends in giving, how to improve retention and leading with intention.  Christian Celeste Tate Anum and Christian are managers at The Bridgespan Group. The Bridgespan Group is a global nonprofit that strives to make the world more equitable and just, by using rigorous research to gain insights that help clients solve problems and achieve their goals. Anum and Christian are also the co-hosts of season three of Dreaming in Color, a podcast by The Bridgespan Group and Studio Pod Media. Anum and Christian share insights about changes they are seeing in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. They offer advice to nonprofit leaders dealing with the downward trend in giving. Christian encourages leaders to pay attention to trends within the individual context of their situations, so they don’t get lost in details that don’t pertain to their organization. For leaders struggling with recruitment and retention, Anum invites them to focus on creating an internal organization that people will want to stay in. Christian believes if you aim to develop a culture of resiliency in your team, you as a leader must first demonstrate resiliency by living it out. Then it will become the culture of your organization. Anum and Christian also describe their exciting new roles as co-hosts of Dreaming in Color, and the emphasis of leadership in the current season of the podcast. Another major focus of the podcast revolves around equity and social change. Anum urges nonprofits to recognize that DEI cannot be an isolated component; it must be rooted in every part of the organization’s strategy. Christian offers examples of approaches nonprofits can adopt to establish strategies rooted in equity. Finally, they both emphasize the importance of deep introspection and why a great leader isn’t afraid to step back and truly reflect on who they are and what they do. Mentioned: Anum Qadir on LinkedIn Christian Celeste Tate on LinkedIn Darren Isom on LinkedIn Dreaming in Color Podcast This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox Quorum Links to Resources:Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/ Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page

Colleen Kelly Many of those working in nonprofits, often started in the nonprofit space. This doesn’t mean of course that someone in the for-profit sector cannot transition over. In fact, it is becoming more common. Today’s guest, Colleen Kelly, did just that, switching to the nonprofit sector after working for 30 years in the for-profit world doing marketing and advertising.  Rob’s guest, Colleen Kelly, is the CEO of the US branch of Concern Worldwide, Ireland’s largest humanitarian organization. Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organization that works to transform the lives of the world’s poorest people. Colleen explains why she decided to leave her amazing career in marketing and advertising, and how she became CEO of Concern Worldwide. She shares what surprised her most about her transition to the nonprofit sector. Colleen describes the differences in approach when leading for-profit organizations versus nonprofit organizations. She also shares some of the biggest lessons she has learned as a leader, one of which is the importance of delegation. Colleen believes leaders can only level up if they delegate to their team members and help them grow. She describes the mission of Concern Worldwide and shares why they are such a unique nonprofit organization. Finally, Colleen offers practical advice to those looking to transition into the nonprofit sector.  Mentioned: Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn Concern Worldwide Colleen’s email: colleen.kelly@concern.net This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox: www.donorbox.org Quorum:  https://www.quorum.us/  Links to Resources: Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/  Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page 

Joe Davis When you hear the term “generous leader” you may automatically think of financial generosity. Being a generous leader means more than that. Today’s guest, Joe Davis, explains that a generous leader is someone who shows vulnerability, supports inclusion and seeks to understand individuals at a deeper level. Rob’s guest, Joe Davis, is the Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group.  He is also BCG’s Chair for CIE (Center for Inclusion and Equity.) Joe is also the author of The Generous Leader, 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain.  Joe explains what it means to be an empathetic leader and lists the positive outcomes of leading this way. He believes the best leaders are wise enough to realize they don’t hold all the answers. He offers specific suggestions on ways these leaders can incorporate deeper communication, by asking the right questions. Joe shares how leaders can measure whether or not they are leading generously. For leaders who feel vulnerability is a weakness, he offers reasons for why being vulnerable is powerful and how to start. Joe describes how small acts of generosity can have a big impact on the team and what these acts can look like. He also explains how generous leaders effectively increase employee engagement through intentional inclusion efforts. Finally, Joe shares that when it comes to navigating a team during a time of crisis, the willingness to be vulnerable can bring a sense of relief to the whole organization. Mentioned: Find his book, The Generous Leader  Connect with Joe on LinkedIn This Podcast is sponsored by: Donorbox: www.donorbox.org Quorum:  https://www.quorum.us/  Links to Resources:Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/  Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page 3avgZVgkTJYQ8Ki5orP9

What kind of brand and what kind of culture do you have? Is there a gap between how you see your brand and how your community sees your brand? Rob’s guest, Ted Vaughn, explains why so many nonprofits inadvertently develop a “brand gap” by failing to integrate their culture and brand strategy. He also shares how you can avoid making this mistake. Ted Vaughn, is the co-author of the recent book, Culture Built My Brand, along with Mark Miller. Ted is also a Brand and Culture Strategist at Historic Agency. Historic Agency helps organizations build a brand that matters through brand strategy and design.  Ted Vaughn, co-author of “Culture Built My Brand” and serves as Brand and Culture Strategist at Historic Agency Ted explains how many times nonprofits create their brand in a way that is disconnected from their actual culture and performance. He also believes that many nonprofits are not being intentional about their culture, which can lead to creating “mission drift.” Ted points out that clarity and organizational health are the two drivers to an overall healthy culture. Ted discusses the five pillars of a brand, and how nonprofits can create a strategic roadmap. He also shares why a “brand gap” is harmful to your organization and offers ways to fix it. Finally, Ted explains why branding is so important for nonprofits to get right, and offers advice to leaders as to how they can start to develop a brand strategy. Find out more about Ted’s book here: Culture Built My Brand #FromTheArchives This Podcast is sponsored by: To be added to the monthly email update, go to http://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/If you have any suggestions, questions for the show, or want to come on the show, you can email Rob at rob@robharter.com

Because nonprofit organizations thrive on the dedication of volunteers, we want to ensure we are not only recruiting the right people but also maximizing their impact. Today’s guest, Tyler Manley, shares how nonprofit leaders can improve volunteer recruitment and retention so volunteers become empowered champions of the mission. Rob’s guest, Tyler Manley, is the VP of Growth and Engagement of Catchafire. Catchafire is the largest skills-based volunteer platform in the world. The organization aims to bring together philanthropy and employee engagement by creating and tracking volunteer opportunities with immediate impact that simultaneously support nonprofits. Tyler outlines the 3 most important steps nonprofit leaders must take if they want to increase volunteer participation and engagement across the board. He describes the 3 different volunteer program types that nonprofits utilize and offers advice on the best way to decide what type will work best. Tyler encourages leaders to have clearly defined roles in place with volunteers, why it’s so important, and what that looks like when implemented. He warns nonprofit leaders of mistakes to avoid when creating volunteer programs, such as avoiding vague timelines for projects. Finally, Tyler explains the mission behind Catchafire, and how they connect skill-based volunteers with nonprofit organizations, for free. Mentioned: Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn tyler@catchafire.org Catchafire This Podcast is sponsored by: Links to Resources: Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page

Hannah Bellamy Every year, approximately two million people worldwide are dying from water-borne diseases. Lack of safe drinking water, while not a new problem, is an issue that can be solved. Today’s guest, Hannah Bellamy, shares how Charity Water allocates 100% of the donations they receive to long-term, sustainable systems that provide clean water to different communities across the world.  Rob’s guest, Hannah Bellamy, is the UK Managing Director for Charity Water. Charity Water brings clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. Charity Water invests in long-term, sustainable solutions to communities, by working directly with local partners in 22 countries. Hannah describes the mission of Charity Water and shares how their “one hundred percent model” allows them to allocate 100% of public donations to clean water projects. She explains how this model works for their organization and how it allows their team to have a bigger impact on the communities they serve. Hannah describes the types of clean water systems they invest in and what the vetting process looks like when selecting partners to work with. She also explains how Charity Water develops strong relationships within the organization and builds their staff. She shares how the organization encourages team members to live out their values every day, while explaining why the organization is so intentional about transparency with donors by showing proof that clean water projects have been implemented and maintained. Finally, Hannah gives examples of fun events Charity Water has hosted that have successfully built brand awareness. She believes what is more important than having a “cool” brand, is doing cool things with your brand. Mentioned: Connect with Hannah on LinkedIn Learn more about Charity Water This Podcast is sponsored by: Links to Resources: Want to work with a leadership and life coach, check out Rob’s website https://robharter.com/ If you have any suggestions for the show, email nonprofitleadershippodcast@gmail.com For more episodes and to subscribe to our newsletter, check out https://nonprofitleadershippodcast.org/  Join the discussion over on Rob’s LinkedIn page