Leadership Episodes

53: Building A Legacy Organization Through Nonprofit Leadership (Jeff Michael) SUMMARY Every nonprofit organization has an upcoming anniversary, whether it’s their first, their 150th, or somewhere in between. While simply celebrating an anniversary may not help your organization achieve strategic success, it may well provide a unique opportunity to raise awareness of your organization's history, as well as elevate your vision going forward. That’s exactly what Jeff Michael and I discussed during...

48: Agile Arts Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector (Devlin McNeil) SUMMARY How do you manage an Arts organization when every aspect of your program is disrupted? Perhaps no nonprofit sector has more challenges right now than Arts & Culture organizations, given the limitations to programming, performances and gatherings. And with the philanthropic community understandably focused on health and human services, the Arts sector faces even greater needs for agile leadership. Fortunately, Devlin McNeil...

38: The Secret Lives of Nonprofit Leaders (Kishshana Palmer) SUMMARY Kishshana Palmer is not afraid tell us what we need to hear, even if we’re not sure we’re ready for it! She’s the kind of truth-teller the sector needs, and our conversation on the Path provided all kinds of valuable insight for nonprofit leaders and fundraisers that can be applied right now. Kishshana shared a candid view of her journey into nonprofit leadership, and the challenges she’s overcome and the lessons she’s learned ...

032: Community Leadership in the Philanthropic Sector (Michael Marsicano) SUMMARY Michael Marsicano leads one of the largest community foundations in the United States. He is passionate about bringing communities together to maximize philanthropy and improve all aspects of society. Like nonprofit leaders around the world, he was faced with an unprecedented challenge – and opportunity – with the arrival of COVID-19. What did he do? He mobilized his team and collaborative partners throughout the r...

030: Nonprofit Leadership in Uncertain Times (Angela Woods) SUMMARY As the COVID-19 situation descended on her organization with stunning speed, Angela Woods knew she would have to make critical strategic decisions without the luxury of time to thoroughly evaluate options or wait for additional data. Like so many nonprofit leaders right now, she had to rely on her instincts and experience to best “triage” an evolving situation. How she’s managed these circumstances so far is a great study in lea...

029: Agile Nonprofit Leadership During the COVID-19 Crisis (Mike Blackwelder) SUMMARY Uncertainty abounds in the charitable sector, but leadership is needed now more than ever. My colleague Mike Blackwelder and I tackle five critical areas of leadership, and lift up examples, suggestions and resources to better address each of them. Whether you’re a current nonprofit leader or aspire to be one, these are the types of circumstances you must be ready to manage. How do you work with your staff and ...

026: 3 Essential Skills for Nonprofit Leadership (Hal Lewis) SUMMARY Dr. Hal Lewis was the perfect person to illustrate three critical skills that nonprofit leaders must develop. As a nonprofit executive himself, a scholar published on a variety of leadership topics, and a consultant working with leaders across the country, he was well-positioned to provide the practical advice and resources you need on your nonprofit path. Hal and I discussed the ability to attract and retain top-notch talent, ...

023: Driving from the Backseat: Nonprofit Leadership Lessons (Ronnie Bryant) SUMMARY The title of Ronnie Bryant’s nonprofit leadership book says it all: Driving from the Backseat. It’s a wonderful illustration of the skill and finesse required by Executive Directors as they steer their organization along but allow a whole group of board members to sit in the front seat and “drive.” My conversation with Ronnie was just as enjoyable as reading his book, full of insight, experience and practical ad...

021: 3 Keys to Maximizing Your Nonprofit Leadership Opportunities (Justin Dionne) SUMMARY Justin Dionne knew he had a great opportunity on his hands when he arrived at the Cain Center for the Arts. As a relatively new executive director, he also knew he needed to maximize all of his productivity and professional development resources to get this new organization off the ground as well as navigate its very aspirational campaign of $25 million to build a new performing arts center. Justin and I ha...

014: Finding Your Nonprofit Leadership Shadow (Will Sparks) SUMMARY What is your leadership shadow, and why should you worry about it? That’s exactly what Dr. Will Sparks and I discuss on this episode of The Path. He’s spent 20 years researching the characteristics of great leaders, and also the “shadow” side of their leadership styles which often hold them back in ways they’re not even aware. Will and I explore the practical aspects of his studies, and how nonprofit leaders can amplify their po...

010: Overcoming 3 Barriers to Nonprofit Leadership Success (Karen Mitchell) SUMMARY Dr. Karen Mitchell has seen too many talented professionals who, despite great potential, do not achieve the kind of leadership success they deserve. What are the barriers that prevent this ultimate success? That is exactly what Karen and I discuss on this episode, particularly the three skills in particular that if mastered, can help accelerate leadership opportunities. The first thing we discuss is the ability ...