Vivien Hoexter is the Principal for H2Growth Strategies LLC and the author of Big Impact: Insights & Stories from America's Non-Profit Leaders. On today’s show, Vivien shares inspirational stories about nonprofits, what makes an amazing non-profit leader successful in their mission, and the steps it takes to really bring change and impact into an underserved sector in the community. 

 

Key Takeaways:

[4:40] Vivien interviewed 47 non-profit leaders for her book and shares the 7 principles she discovered.

[6:30] Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are among the most important characteristics of a really successful leader.

[8:45] These non-profit leaders have mentors throughout their professional and personal lives.

[10:45] How do leaders find talented people to join their organization? 

[15:30] Everyone wants to be able to work for and contribute to something of purpose and meaning. 

[17:25] Vivien shares an example of CEO Richard Shadyac and how he built meaning and engagement for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

[21:10] Successful nonprofits were really clear about their goals and they only had one or two.

[25:25] You have to come at the problem from many different angles. It’s often not just enough to be an advocate or to litigate.  In many cases, you have to change social norms.

[34:00] It takes time to make sustainable change.

[36:10] How do successful nonprofits manage their partnerships?

[41:20] Disruption in the non-profit sector is actually not a very good thing. Vivien explains why. 

[45:20] What is the most important thing Vivien tells millennials who want to join a nonprofit? 

[51:00] If we really want to create an effect, nonprofits have to partner with businesses and government.

[55:25] Professional development for non-profit staff is critical, yet it doesn’t happen enough. 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Giving Back Podcast

H2Growth Strategies

Vivien Hoexter on LinkedIn

Big Impact, by Vivien Hoexter and Linda C. Hartley

Leon Botstein

Tara Perry 

Shael Polakow-Suransky

Richard C. Shadyac Jr.

Billy Shore

Evan Wolfson