In this episode of the Lead with Heart podcast, I discuss the consequences of a nonprofit becoming too dependent on its CEO with my guest Emily Taylor, founder of Teeny Big.
Emily shares her expertise in helping nonprofits untangle their identity from individual leadership and build resilient structures for long-term success. Emily has spent her career listening to people and understanding behavior through a mix of science and art.
Our conversation covers the pitfalls of an organization being too reliant on a single leader, the significance of strategic listening, and the power behind taking time to understand external perspectives in order to realign perceptions and vision.
Tune in to understand how to empower other leaders within your organization and ensure the enduring impact of your mission.

In this episode:

• [01:39] Emily Taylor’s background in human-centered research and why she focuses on understanding behavior over what people say
• [04:58] Problems that arise when an organization becomes too reliant on one person
• [010:11] Strategies for succession planning and team building in nonprofits
• [12:24] Navigating leadership transition with strategic listening
• [18:30] Fears that emerge during a leadership transition and how reflection helps overcome those challenges
• [22:40] The importance of clear internal and external communication of an organization's vision
• [24:14] What role does your nonprofit board play in reducing dependence on the CEO?

RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the tools you need to elevate

In 2012, I started a nonprofit in a small village in Malawi, living alone without water or electricity. Facing many challenges, I built a successful organization. This book is a tale of resilience, passion, and community strength. Discover the highs, lows, lessons learned, and unforgettable moments that shaped my journey. Whether you're in the nonprofit world, thinking of starting one, or just love a great story, pre-order HERE<

The

This week, I had the pleasure of having Lydia Knight on the Lead with Heart podcast. Lydia Knight is the founder and CEO of The She Center, an internationally recognized eating disorder expert and a pioneer in the field of female empowerment.

Lydia shares her personal journey from struggling with disordered eating to helping over 1,000 women achieve lasting freedom. She discusses applying neuroscience principles to reprogram limiting beliefs around thoughts, emotions, and leadership.

We discussed the importance of creating psychologically safe environments where difficult emotions can be faced directly. Our conversation delves into fostering inclusive cultures and unlocking women's leadership potential in nonprofits.

Listen now to feel both empowered and inspired.

In this episode:

• [06:26] Thought patterns influence our emotions and physical health
• [11:45] Getting to the root cause will create lasting change
• [13:59] We don’t need coping mechanisms, we need to face the reality
• [20:23] Creating a psychologically safe culture is important for nonprofits
• [26:17] Shifting from diversity as an obligation to a self-interest argument can help organizations truly embrace inclusion for better outcomes
• [33:29] Both individual patterns and structural barriers need to be addressed to unlock women's leadership potential and benefit missions
• [37:43] Mentorship and coaching provide awareness of blindspots and a path forward that individuals cannot see for themselves

RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delved into the world of fundraising yet. This course covers everything from crafting compelling campaigns to collaborating effectively with your team, ensuring you have all the

In 2012, I started a nonprofit in a small village in Malawi, living alone without water or electricity. Facing many challenges, I built a successful organization. This book is a tale of resilience, passion, and community strength. Discover the highs, lows, lessons learned, and unforgettable moments that shaped my journey. Whether you're in the nonprofit world, thinking of starting one, or just love a great story, pre-order HERE<

The

Today, on the Lead with Heart podcast, I’m selfishly so excited to have Patton McDowell on the show and to share our conversation with you. We are discussing his path to becoming a leader in the nonprofit sector and the lessons he has learned over his career.
Focusing on why nonprofit leaders often face high turnover, we talk about things like unrealistic expectations, generational shifts, and lack of professional development opportunities.
We chatted about practical tools and resources nonprofit pros can apply to strengthen their skills and experience – such as building a personal board of directors and participating in mastermind groups.
You will walk away after listening to this episode with actionable advice on topics like goal-setting, networking, productivity, and the importance of investing in staff to fulfill organizational missions and retain donors long-term.

In this episode:

• [01:31] Patton's path to nonprofit leadership started with an internship at Special Olympics International
• [04:00] Common reasons for high turnover in the nonprofit sector
• [06:08] Impact of generational shifts and how organizations can support different age groups
• [09:34] How staff retention impacts donor retention
• [11:40] Developing leadership goals and Patton's Vision Framework exercise
• [14:07] Benefits of strategic networking, building a personal board, and participating in mastermind groups
• [16:56] Essential leadership skills and the importance of self-assessment
• [20:28] Tips for improving productivity while avoiding burnout
• [34:34] The importance of identifying and focusing on one's "highest value role" and delegating other tasks to maximize impact

RESOURCES
Take the leap into successful fundraising with the Savvy Fundraiser Fundamentals Course. The ultimate guide designed for nonprofits that have been around for a while, but haven’t delv

In 2012, I started a nonprofit in a small village in Malawi, living alone without water or electricity. Facing many challenges, I built a successful organization. This book is a tale of resilience, passion, and community strength. Discover the highs, lows, lessons learned, and unforgettable moments that shaped my journey. Whether you're in the nonprofit world, thinking of starting one, or just love a great story, pre-order HERE<

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