Lessons From Leaders Podcast

05/07/2024

Embracing the Leadership Power of Relationality, Sovereignty & Reflection

Have you redefined your view of leadership recently?

I share this inspiring conversation with Judith Le Blanc, the trailblazing Executive Director of the Native Organizers Alliance. Deeply rooted in her Indigenous culture and heritage, Judith introduced me to a fresh perspective on leadership, as her bold journey is a powerful testament to the impact of collective action and cultural continuity. Her insights left a lasting impression on me, and I know they'll resonate with you, too.

Beginning in the 1970s, Judith’s leadership journey took a bold turn when she quit college to support the Wounded Knee Occupation in South Dakota. This pivotal experience underscored the importance of sovereignty and self-determination, shaping her understanding of leadership as a collective effort. Her path has since become a testament to the transformative power of united action and cultural perseverance, inspiring those around her with her unwavering commitment.

She recalls, “Going to Wounded Knee was a transformative experience. It awakened my sense of being part of something much greater than myself.”

Judith’s insights are a treasure trove of wisdom. She emphasizes the need to address past issues to improve current community lives, stresses how our actions now impact future generations and notes sovereignty is a top concern across all demographics, reflecting shared values. Lastly, she introduced relational leadership, which respects past, present, and future interconnectedness.

“Understanding the time continuum from the beginning of time until the end of time is crucial. We have ancestral responsibilities, and what we do in the present carries a lot of weight for our descendants and ancestors.”

Thank you, Judith, for sharing your profound leadership insights for future-ready leaders. Deeply rooted in Indigenous values, you emphasize relationality, sovereignty, and reflection, offering a warm and holistic way to drive transformative change in the NGO sector.

A must-listen episode!

Have you redefined your view of leadership recently?I share this inspiring conversation with Judith Le Blanc, the trailblazing Executive Director of the Nati...

06/05/2024

𝐁𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭: https://www.lynnegillilandconsulting.com/about-5

This month, Tom Dente and I are excited to tackle the intricacies of operating models as we focus on Changing the Game: Rethinking Business Models in Global Development.

Looking forward to the insightful conversation.

Empowering international organizations and INGOs for global development. Join us in driving change worldwide through strategic insights and development expertise.

30/04/2024

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐨'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
Leadership transcends job titles and industries; it's about impact, vision, and the courage to make a difference. As I keep digging into the 100+ podcast interviews with leaders, I am turning my attention to what we’ve learned from the amazing women leaders. Drawing from the wisdom of these women, here’s a quick checklist of do's and don'ts to guide your own leadership journey:

𝐃𝐨: Embrace Vulnerability.
𝐃𝐨: Use vulnerability to build trust and open communication.
𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭: Hide your challenges; authenticity fosters stronger team bonds.

𝐃𝐨: Leverage Diversity.
𝐃𝐨: Actively seek and integrate diverse perspectives to enhance creativity and decision-making.
𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭: Settle for a homogeneous group that may lead to echo chambers and stunted innovation.

𝐃𝐨: Commit to Continuous Learning.
𝐃𝐨: Adopt a mindset of growth and adaptability; view challenges as opportunities to learn.
𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭: Resist change or remain complacent in your personal or professional development.

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰
Effective leadership is dynamic and responsive. Whether you're at the helm of a startup or a seasoned executive in a large corporation, these principles can drive not only your success but also that of your organization.

Ready to elevate your leadership style? Embrace these lessons, lead with courage and intention, and watch your team—and your impact—grow.

You are invited to join us during 𝘓𝘎 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨'𝘴 𝘷𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, where we delve deep into these leadership principles, offering personalized guidance and real-world strategies to help you embody these 'do's' effectively.

22/04/2024

This year's theme, World in Crisis: Sparks of Hope, turns the spotlight onto the wide-ranging issues affecting people everywhere and focuses on the windows of opportunity to advance development and strengthen resilience and security. With over 20 Breakout Sessions, 90+ Sponsors at the in-person Exhibit Hall, and plenty of opportunities to network, it’s definitely going to be a packed day.

Mark your calendars for April 26 and join me, for International Development, United States, and hundreds of others involved in in-person or online!

Learn more and register today at sidusconference.org.

19/04/2024

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of inspiration from my guest, Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, when he shares that, for him, falling in love with the mission and setting audacious goals are the turbo boosters of motivation and success that foster innovation to drive impactful change within NGOs.

🔸"Falling in love with the mission fuels our passion while setting impossible goals ignites our imagination and determination - both are the driving forces behind unstoppable motivation."

Michael's career is a treasure trove of unique insights, drawing from his experiences at Microsoft and Charity Navigator. His journey underscores the importance of accountability, resilience, and people-centric leadership, making his perspective a valuable asset for any NGO leader.

🔸"At Microsoft, I learned that people are not just a bullet point on a slide - they're our first priority. Supporting our teams through challenges, building psychological safety, and fostering a mission-driven culture are pivotal moments that drive success."

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭?

Look no further. Michael's insights, grounded in real-world experiences at Microsoft and Charity Navigator, offer a roadmap you can immediately apply to your current strategic plan. These strategies emphasize collaboration, experimentation, and strategic vision to address complex challenges.

Michael and I also explore the dynamic relationship for CEO-board engagement, trust-building, and effectively leveraging board support. Michael's personal growth and leadership evolution perspective offer a compelling roadmap for NGO leaders driving lasting impact.

🔸"Board engagement is about finding the balance between adding value without overstepping boundaries, fostering meaningful connections, and ensuring mutual enjoyment and contribution."

Take advantage of this timely episode, which is brimming with inspiration and actionable strategies crucial in today's challenging NGO landscape.

Thank you, Michael, for equipping us with the tools to catalyze positive change within the NGO community!

Have you fallen head over heels with your mission statement? Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of inspiration from my guest, Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charit...

15/12/2023

REGISTER HERE TO RECEIVE MEETING LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdu-hrDoqGdaNvQxRvBPGTBTZPjlVqQnx

29/08/2023

I'm really excited to share some actionable advice from my recent podcast chat with Sara Nathan, the President & CEO of Amigos de las Américas. We go into the incredible transformation Amigos went through – shifting from being all about US-centric to becoming a locally-led global powerhouse driven by local vibes.

Sara's story kicks off with her days as an Amigos volunteer as a teenager in Latin America, which ignited her passion for community development and leadership. This set the stage for her current global volunteer program leadership role at Amigos.

We had a real heart-to-heart about how Amigos realized they needed to shake things up in a changing world. This lightbulb moment led to Amigos moving from just sending US volunteers to nurturing local leaders, building stronger relationships with local partners, and expanding its reach through local resources and teams. Sara shared that If Amigos had not changed to localization, they would not be relevant today and empowering young people worldwide.

“Right now, 70 young people run programming. Half are from all across Latin America, which is kind of amazing. It's an evolution.”

And as Sara explained, it wasn't all smooth sailing. Embracing change had its own set of challenges. Dealing with remote teams, reimagining programs during the pandemic, and rethinking strategies – it was all part of the wild ride. Sara made it clear that the transformation to being ready to adapt and open to constant evaluation in locally-led development was key. She credits her teams for the success.

“I give credit to our board and the teams that had the courage to envision different ways of doing programming and different ways of reimagining how we could reach our mission and purpose.”

My talk with Sara was like a crash course in continual adaptation, an ongoing need for reassessment and communication within the organization and with external partners in leadership where local partnerships lead to powerful localization.

Thank you, Sara, for sharing your transition to leadership roles and the key events that shaped your passionate leadership perspective.
Get your VIP ticket to explore this fresh approach firsthand and be part of the action. You’re invited to use the link below to join Tom Dente and me on September 15th at 1 pm ET for a locally-led development executive forum. Don't miss out!

REGISTER FOR EXECUTIVE FORUM HERE: https://forms.gle/azExoH3iZm8pBHJf6

https://youtu.be/Oeu-QNgc7g0

I'm really excited to share some actionable advice from my recent podcast chat with Sara Nathan, the President & CEO of Amigos de las Américas. We go into th...

13/08/2023

Join Tom Dente and me for this Transforming INGOs event that promises to inspire and elevate.
Register today: https://lnkd.in/gdrfpXNs

30/06/2023

Constantly on the go, Gina Lagomarsino, the Co-founder & CEO of Results for Development and also the mother of two teenagers shares an interesting analogy between parenting and leading a 15-year-old organization. In both situations, her job description changes every year.

“When you are a parent, your job description changes as your child grows and evolves. I find it is similar to being the leader in a young organization. My job description has changed as we've grown and evolved. I'm always learning and trying to figure out what is needed.”

In our conversation, one topic highlighted is the moment of possibility in the sector, despite the challenges presented by climate change, the pandemic, and other global issues. Gina believes there is a genuine desire for local leadership in the countries where NGOs work and a growing recognition of the need to support local leaders. The focus is shifting towards supporting local communities to develop and implement their own solutions rather than imposing external solutions.

Gina talks about being excited about her learning journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and the need to apply a global lens to DEI concepts within a diverse organization. The goal is to achieve equity while respecting different cultural norms and laws in various countries. She shares the challenges of creating an inclusive culture that goes beyond any particular group's privilege and promotes a sense of justice and fairness. In this episode, Gina talks about embracing individuality and how a sense of justice is connected to our authentic selves. It is rooted in our innate understanding of fairness and what is right but varies for each person based on their unique experiences and perspectives.

“DEI is a major learning journey for each of us as individuals and as institutions. What is kind of exciting about it in a global organization is bringing a global lens to the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

I invite you to listen to Gina as we discuss “reconnecting with our true selves [being] vital for a fulfilling life.”

Constantly on the go, Gina Lagomarsino, the Co-founder & CEO of Results for Development and also the mother of two teenagers shares an interesting analogy be...

16/06/2023

https://youtu.be/0m9DXRlHJwI

Cheryl Margoluis, the amazing Executive Director of the CARE-WWF Alliance brought an incredible wealth of insights to the table as she shared some crucial topics in the context of leadership. What makes Cheryl's perspective so unique is her role in leading this alliance between two prominent organizations. It gives her a firsthand understanding of just how important collaboration and inclusion are within partnerships.

When it comes to leadership, Cheryl's approach centers around collaboration and noted she firmly believes that by working together, organizations can achieve greater impact and tackle even the most complex challenges, like climate change. Through collaboration, she aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations and find those sweet spots where they can effectively work together and make a tangible difference.

One topic that really stood out during our conversation was inclusion. Cheryl highlighted its tremendous significance, not only within the alliance itself but also in collaboration with the community. By including diverse perspectives and ideas, she firmly believes that partnerships can generate an incredible amount of excitement, energy, and innovative solutions. She even shared a recent workshop experience in Zambia, where the WWF and CARE teams joined forces and witnessed firsthand the positive energy that arises when different organizations collaborate and create something new.

"We have all the outcomes identified that we want to be working towards. Now we need everyone to come together. We need everyone to have that desire to work together and that recognition of the importance of each other's skills, and the complementarity of their skills to make the partnership work can ultimately drive those outcomes."

Failure is something that Cheryl sees as an integral part of the learning process, both at the individual and institutional levels. Instead of shying away from failures, she views them as incredible opportunities for growth and adaptation. They inspire her to approach future endeavors with a fresh perspective and improved strategies.

“I find it inspiring in the sense that failures really helped me see things for the future much better. I will have more opportunities to do things this way next time.”

Throughout our conversation, Cheryl shared her personal journey and provided some truly valuable advice, even reflecting on what she would tell her younger self.

Thank you Cheryl for this enriching conversation.

Cheryl Margoluis, the amazing Executive Director of the CARE-WWF Alliance brought an incredible wealth of insights to the table as she shared some crucial to...

26/05/2023

I was truly inspired as I sat down and heard about my guest, Seynabou Sakho of World Bank, her journey, and how she stays true to her authentic self while making a positive impact in her work. I loved how she shared that she values the wisdom of her ancestors and incorporates their teachings into her approach to life and work. She shares, “My grandma, my role model, has never been to school. And I remember all my life her asking, what's the point of having a brain if you cannot think for yourself?”

In times of crisis, Seynabou shared how it can be challenging to stay focused on one's mission and values, and her example shows that it's possible to remain true to oneself and still make a meaningful contribution. “I've tried all my career and all my life to begin any situation with my whole self and be as authentic to my values, or whatever it is that defines me. And sometimes it's hard because you are really in a vulnerable situation. I think that looking back, it's very difficult to be somebody else, and I'm here to be myself, which brings my culture, my identity, my values, and what I believe in.”

Seynabou also talks about how she sees leadership. “Everybody expects empathy, compassion, understanding and using that as a way to connect with people. Understanding where people come from and that the sense of justice is very universal. Being fairly treated is universal, regardless of where you come from.”

Seynabou's story is a powerful reminder that we can draw strength and inspiration from our own personal histories and cultural traditions and that by honoring our authentic selves, we can make a positive impact on the world around us.

I invite you to enjoy this must-listen to episode with a leader who talks about cherishing her ancestors' advice, celebrates her authentic self, and values those around us.

I was truly inspired as I sat down and heard about my guest, Seynabou Sakho of World Bank, her journey, and how she stays true to her authentic self while ma...

03/04/2023

https://lnkd.in/eBK5k4DE

EPISODE: 089 Curious, Sitting in a Candy Store Gary White, Water.org & WaterEquity I had the opportunity to sit down with Gary White, an…

01/03/2023

This week’s Lessons From Leaders guest is Morgan Lance, CEO of OneSky. Her story and insights as the first CEO to transition into the position after the founder and leader of 24+ years are noteworthy simple truths.

As the new CEO facing difficult decisions, Morgan shared:

“When there's tough decisions to be made, or moments of leadership that I know are going to be difficult for me, I always go back to that question: What is best for the kids that we serve? What is best for the children? What decision do I need to make now, or what do I need to do or embody in order to move the mission forward? And that's a really clear, really clear decision-maker for me. It makes things a lot easier.”

“I learned the speed with which decisions need to be made at the CEO level is far quite different at other leadership levels within an organization….leaders are remembered for the pace at which they make decisions, not necessarily the outcome of those decisions.”

Morgan’s message is timely as leaders refocus on the importance of an organization’s values and mission to revitalize in 2023.

Thank you, Morgan, for sharing your transition story and the reminder to re-evaluate: what's our purpose?

We hope you enjoy this episode and look forward to hearing your comments.

088: Simple Truths
Morgan Lance, CEO, OneSky
https://youtu.be/-y0ZfU7AjmY

25/01/2023

As we've entered a new year, this podcast with Indira Kaur Ahluwalia, President of Kaur Strategies, reminds leaders of the importance of advancing equity in development and looking at challenges in a new light.

12/12/2022

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tessie San Martin the CEO of FHI 360. We are honored to have her as our leader in this episode. While there are many gold nuggets in this episode, for me there are two that are the most compelling.

The first is when Tessie reminds me that "we can do hard things." Just look at how successfully the INGO sector pivoted in 2020, she points out.

The second nugget is when Tessie talks leaning into the new normal and what that means for INGOs. "We have to reimagine. We are creating what's next in our industry. The settings in which our organizations were designed, if very different than how we are forced to operate today. The question for us now becomes: How can we be effective and how can we deliver?"

Tessie began her leadership journey with Amigos de las Americas. This is something that she and I have in common. In this program youth volunteers went to Latin America for 3 to 5 weeks to participate in vaccination programs.

From that experience, Tessie began to realize what she was capable of doing.

"At a young age, I came out of this experience [working with Amigos de Las Americas] thinking 'I can do anything.' I earned a sense of self confidence, I learned how to make decisions, communicate with others, and lead."

While working in different countries, Tessie shares that what she learned most in addition to outreach, community help, and vaccinations, was about herself.

After volunteering internationally with Amigos de Las Americas for her first time as a sophomore in high school, the following 2 years she decided to return to volunteer but this time as a part of the staff in a management role. She was responsible for running a vaccination program which in her words taught her one critical thing:

"I have never wanted to do anything else. I was hooked on the idea of making a difference and working with others. The international development bug bit me, and never let go."

Our conversation went into leading in today's environment. Tessie shares her perspective that "INGOS are operating in settings where we are not created to operate.” (At the 10 minute mark if you want to jump right to it.)

What she means in this and explains is that INGOS, some of which were created decades ago, were not structurally created to face a global pandemic, hybrid working, racial injustice, the list from the past 2 years goes on and on. Her encouragement to acknowledge the hard things we have all conquered is notable and refreshing. Her observation is that it's time to create, try new things, and not force what once worked to where an organization is now.

And then, one of my favorite parts of our conversation: INGOs can do hard things...

“Collectively the global development sector has been through a lot. By and large we are on the other side of it but we have adapted and adjusted to rethink how our businesses and organizations needed to run. We can do hard things.”

She continues, “We have to continue to reimagine in 2023. We are not ‘back to normal’ , we are creating a new normal.”

Tessie shares her thoughts and plans on how to take the organization she leads, which has been around for over 50 years, into the future, through the trials of these past 2 years and out the other side. I highly suggest listening to this episode to be inspired and tactically supported.

Thank you Tessie for sharing your leadership story, and for the much needed reminder; we can all do hard things.

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tessie San Martin the CEO of FHI 360. We are honored to have her as our leader in this episode. While there are...

26/09/2022

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, the President and CEO of Mercy Corps. We are honored to have her as our guest so shortly after her recent trip to Somalia.

One of my favorite moments from this episode is the deep conversation with Tjada talking about courage (at 27 minutes if you want to jump right to it.)

When I asked her what courage has to do with being a leader, she said: "There is a personal courage all leaders have because they are willing to say 'Hold me accountable' when they take on the role of a leader."

She continues, “Courage is taking risks. If no one is upset or ruffled by your decisions, then you might not really be making change. There is courage in moving the status quo. What got you to where you are now is not the thing that will take you to the next level."

Tjada shares her personal definition of courage (which I loved so much I jotted it down as she spoke): "Courage is a willingness to be wrong, a willingness to admit you make mistakes, and a willingness to ask for help."

Thank you Tjada for sharing your leadership story, and for your candor on this episode. You are leading Mercy Corp with courage and honesty even in the face of conflict.

This week, the Lessons from Leaders guest is Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, the President and CEO of Mercy Corps. We are honored to have her as our guest so shortly a...

19/09/2022

This week, we have Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, as our guest on Lessons from Leaders.

As I have long been watching the work of The Carter Center, it is a pleasure to sit down with Paige.

We jump right into the conversation:
What is it like to lead right now?
How has communication changed?
What are you hearing from your organization?

Transparency, authenticity, and togetherness, are all qualities that Paige demonstrates. She admits that it took her time and effort to find the balance of the right amount of communication within her team and organization. The lesson she has learned and shares with us around organizational communication is a vital one.

“There is so much noise out there. People say there is no such thing as over-communication [referring to meaningful communication] but I think since we spend so much time at our screens - and keeping up with our inboxes - that we, in fact, may be over-communicating.” - Paige Alexander

Thank you, Paige, for your time, lessons, and for your baking tips (you have to listen in for that.) In this episode, Paige quotes former President Jimmy Carter, and I would like to echo her in leaving you with this:

“We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.” - Jimmy Carter

—

About Paige

Paige Alexander joined The Carter Center as chief executive officer in June 2020. Paige has had a distinguished global development career with over two decades of experience spanning the government and nonprofit sectors. She has held senior leadership positions at two regional bureaus of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), covering missions and development programs in 25 countries.

This week, we have Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, as our guest on Lessons from Leaders.As I have long been watching the work of The Carter Center...

12/09/2022

"If people aren’t failing, then I think that possibly they are actually not pushing beyond the envelope. They are not innovating, or not going for that hard thing and stretching. That's why it is important to recognize and celebrate failure.” Michèle Laird

This week I sat down with Michèle Laird, the Senior VP for Programs at Pact. I love Michèle’s take on failure and the importance to try and be willing to fail, even sharing that when her family is sitting around the table for dinner she asks them, "What did you fail at today?"

Michèle talks about normalizing failure and encouraging looking at what may not have gone "correctly" and learn from what happened.

She also shared a blurb from Janet Finch, the author of White Oleander, who says, “The Phoenix must burn to emerge.” Michèle says that a big ‘burning failure' may not be the goal, but that the lessons learned from failure are ones she encourages all entrepreneurs, CEO's, and leaders, to use to further evolve.

Evolution, innovation, reflection, and impact are all words Michèle used to define values in her organization. Also discussing leading from love, Michèle notes how leading from love can be a calming force to reaction in the face of mistakes, unexpected turmoil, or failures.

"Having conversations from your heart is really important and people will feel that, hear that, and understand they are safe. They will understand they can try new things and if it doesn't go as planned, that's okay.... it helps us to react and lead better."

Michèle wisdom on her core values and principles in this episode is palpable.

Thank you to Pact for sharing another organization member with us this week, we are so grateful!

To connect with Pact: pactworld.org/
To connect with Michèle Laird on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Michele_Laird
To connect with Michèle Laird on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelelaird/?viewAsMember=true

https://youtu.be/lJfsvqVYhqI

"If people aren’t failing, then I think that possibly they are actually not pushing beyond the envelope. They are not innovating, or not going for that hard ...