How do you earn a seat at the decision-making table? In this episode, Nicole Jansen sits down with Jenny Mitchell, an inspiring leader from Ottawa, Canada. Jenny is the Chief Visionary Officer at Chavender.com, author of Embracing Ambition, and host of the Underdog Leadership Podcast.

Committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders, Jenny works closely with not-for-profit leaders to change the world one mission at a time. She is a fundraising professional, as well as an executive coach passionate about helping aspiring women overcome hardship, stereotyping, typecasting, and debilitating self-doubt to step into the best version of themselves as leaders.

Join us as we explore the keys to overcoming obstacles, embracing ambition from a place of inner fullness, understanding personal strengths, and transforming discomfort into growth. We also tackle the intricacies of leadership, fundraising for non-profits, and the essential qualities that empower individuals to transition from supportive roles to primary leadership positions.

What We Discuss in this Episode

• Jenny’s path to leadership and empowerment
• What does it mean to embrace ambition
• How discomfort and fear can turn into growth and leadership
• How to move from "number two" to "number one" positions in your career
• Fundraising insights for non-profit leaders
• Aligning donors' values with your fundraising cause
• The role of celebration within charitable organizations
• How understanding personal assumptions and biases can improve leadership

Key Takeaways

Growth often comes from stepping outside of comfort zones and facing fears head-on.

Approach your goals with a sense of inner worth and fullness rather than seeking external validation.

Effective fundraising involves aligning donors' values with the cause and communicating a transformative vision.

Recognizing and celebrating successes within organizations helps maintain motivation and community spirit.

Seek clear, constructive feedback from peers to gain valuable perspectives on personal growth.

Demonstrate self-awareness, courage, and the ability to act on feedback for personal leadership.

Thriving in supportive roles is equally important and can be a path to discovering one's strengths.

Knowing your worth at the start of each day fosters a sense of abundance and empowerment.

Challenge personal assumptions and biases to improve leadership and create inclusive environments.

Utilize tools like breathwork and positive affirmations to support personal and professional development.

Podcast Highlights

0:00 - Empowerment approach for women's inclusion, not victimhood.

3:23 - Promoting underdog leadership through self-improvement.

10:35 - Adversity is essential; it encourages growth.

14:13 - Combining research, stories, and experiences for inspiration.

17:29 - Understanding others expands our perspective and impact.

23:28 - Intrinsic motivation over external validation transforms ambitions.

30:16 - Focus on ROI, not costs, for charities.

34:25 - Need compelling reasons and stories for funding.

36:51 - Full body coaching integrating personal and professional growth.

40:35 - Use a scale for feedback and perception.

44:05 - Know yourself and pursue what fulfills you.

46:07 - Take action for personal transformation and growth.

Favorite Quotes

On Personal Growth: “Embracing discomfort and fear is essential—they are signals that you're pushing boundaries and growing.”

On Leadership: “Self-awareness, the courage to ask for feedback, and acting on it are pivotal elements of true personal leadership.”

On Fundraising: “Shifting from a 'tin cup' mentality to inspiring donors with a larger vision of change can transform fundraising efforts.”

On Celebrating Successes: “Celebrating all wins within an organization maintains motivation and engagement, fostering a healthy community spirit.”

Episode Show Notes and Resources: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/520-learning-how-to-embrace-ambition-with-jenny-mitchell

 

Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com

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