This episode is the first in a series focused on leading through uncertainty. Recently, we’ve been talking with many of our clients about ways to adapt their leadership to current conditions. As things become more uncertain and ambiguous, it can feel more difficult to make decisions, collaborate with peers, and provide clear guidance to your teams.

Many leaders feel the need to speed up. They feel rushed to gather information and make decisions quickly. Unfortunately, this hyper-focus on speed can reduce one’s ability to gather key information, innovate and be creative, and communicate with others. 

In this episode, we explore THE PAUSE. While it may initially feel counterintuitive, the pause is one of the best techniques for increasing resilience during stressful and uncertain times. We offer practical techniques like the psychological sigh and using images to help leaders and individuals manage anxiety and foster a calm, thoughtful approach.

Melissa and Alex reflect on their conversations with recent guests - Laura Peterson, Sue Sleigh, and Katie Redford - and offer listeners a summary of tools and techniques they can use in their own lives.

Their conversations spanned various aspects of leadership, sustainability, and collaboration in nonprofit and social justice work. Each of these women shared insights on maintaining passion, humility, and strategic agility in mission-driven organizations. And they offered practical strategies for managing stress, fostering teamwork, and driving impact in volatile environments.

Chapters

00:00  Intro to Key Takeaways from Inspirational Conversations

03:04  Leading Through Uncertainty and Gaining Alignment

05:53 The Importance of Passion and Purpose in Leadership

08:17  Sustainable Leadership: Balancing Head, Heart, and Hands

11:06  Shifting Perspectives: Humility and Short-Term Planning

13:57  Collaboration and Empowerment in Leadership

17:11  Navigating VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity

19:53  Technology's Role in Leadership and Meaningful Data

22:44  Final Thoughts and Future Directions

29:37  Embracing Human Leadership

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

Melissa Bloom and Alex Carleton welcome Katie Redford, a social justice leader, to discuss the importance of authenticity in leadership. They explore how passion drives leaders, the role of emotions in decision-making, and the significance of community support in sustainable leadership.

Katie shares her journey in fighting corporate power, particularly in the fossil fuel industry, and emphasizes the need for collective action rooted in love and joy. The conversation highlights the challenges of activism while encouraging listeners to find their inner fire and connect with others who share their passions.

Chapters

00:00  Introduction to Katie Redford

02:08  Katie's Journey in Social Justice

06:54  The Power of Passion in Leadership

10:51  Unlearning Legal Training for Social Justice

16:51  Sustainable Leadership and Community Support

23:02  The Head, Heart, and Hands of Activism

27:59  The Role of Community in Movements

34:26  Joy as a Source of Power in Activism

41:05  Embracing Human Leadership

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

Melissa and Alex continue their conversation with Sue Sleigh about the nuances of leadership in the nonprofit sector. They explore the motivations behind nonprofit leadership, the importance of setting boundaries, empowering teams, and the role of values in guiding decisions. The discussion emphasizes the significance of creating a culture of feedback and the impact of living one's values as a leader.

Chapters

00:00  The Call to Nonprofit Leadership

03:50  Navigating Boundaries in Leadership

06:52  Empowering Teams Through Trust

09:28  The Role of Values in Leadership

12:26  Hiring for Success

15:28  Creating a Culture of Feedback

17:49  Living Your Values as a Leader

21:17  Reflection in Leadership

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

In the 2nd episode of our interview series, we welcome Sue Sleigh, a leader in nonprofit healthcare. Sue talks with us about the importance of authentic leadership in challenging times. We explore themes such as the burden of care on frontline workers, the necessity of collaboration, and the role of humility in leadership. Sue shares insights on balancing efficiency with humanity, engaging stakeholders in change, and the significance of self-care for leaders. We dig into the somatic experience of leadership and the need for leaders to stay connected to their teams and the communities they serve.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sue Sleigh and Her Leadership Journey

3:12 Understanding the Burden of Frontline Workers

5:55 The Importance of Collaboration in Nonprofit Leadership

8:36 Encouraging Humility and Grounded Leadership

11:23 Balancing Efficiency and Human Connection

14:09 Navigating Change and Managing Expectations

17:03 The Role of Physical Awareness in Leadership

19:48 Re-centering and Self-Care for Leaders

27:35 Embracing Human Leadership

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

In this episode, we welcome Laura Peterson, a seasoned leader in the nonprofit sector. Laura joins us to discuss the evolution of leadership over the last few years. Laura shares insights on the need for adaptability, collaboration, and humility among leaders, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing team well-being and sustainability. The conversation explores the challenges faced by nonprofit leaders today and the necessity of shifting from a lone hero model to a more distributed and collaborative approach to leadership.

Chapters

00:00  Introducing Laura Peterson

02:23  Navigating Change in Nonprofits Post-COVID

08:21  The Importance of Collaboration and Technology

16:42  Sustainability and Care for Teams

24:32  The Shift from Lone Hero Leadership to Collaboration

25:52  Emphasizing Human Leadership

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

This episode is the first in a series featuring discussions with leaders from nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. We invited 3 people to talk with us about how they're adapting their approach and what they’re prioritizing right now.

Our intention was to provide a platform for open and honest discussion. We invited our guests to share their experiences and insights freely, and they wowed us with their authentic approaches to their work and leading others. They highlighted the significance of humility and the embodiment of leadership, encouraging others to reflect on their own experiences and the weight of their responsibilities. The episode sets the stage for upcoming conversations that promise to inspire and resonate with our listeners. 

Chapters

00:00  Introduction to our Interview Series

02:51  The Importance of Guest Perspectives

09:38  Introducing our 3 Amazing Guests

13:56  A Sampling of Themes and Insights from the Conversations

19:16  Reflecting on Personal and Professional Challenges

21:18  Embracing Human Leadership

21:40 Listener Challenge

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

People who are new to coaching often wonder what to expect. Almost everyone has participated in some type of professional training and many think coaching will be similar; however, the 2 are quite different. In this episode, we explore the fundamental differences between coaching and training. We discuss the dynamics of each environment, emphasizing the interactive nature of coaching compared to the more structured approach of training. The conversation highlights the importance of active listening, the role of the coach, and the effectiveness of coaching over time, particularly in group settings. We encourage listeners to bring their experiences into the coaching process to foster a more personalized and impactful development journey.

Chapters

00:00  Demystifying Coaching vs. Training

06:17  The Role of Experience in Coaching

12:40  Iterative Learning in Coaching

15:55  Embracing Human Leadership

16:19  Engaging with Our Audience

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

In this episode, Melissa Bloom and Alex Carleton discuss one of their favorite ways of working with people - - group coaching. They explore its structure, benefits, and the unique community it fosters among participants. They share personal experiences and insights on how group coaching can support individual leadership development while emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and trusting environment. The conversation highlights the value of group coaching for organizations, making it a sustainable investment in leadership development.

Chapters

00:00  Introduction to Group Coaching

03:31  Understanding Individual Goals in Group Settings

06:12  The Power of Shared Experiences

09:11  Creating a Safe Space for Growth

12:01  The Role of Leadership in Group Coaching

14:52  Benefits of Group Coaching for Organizations

17:56  Finding and Joining Group Coaching Programs

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.

In this episode, Melissa and Alex discuss team coaching - - how it can foster team collaboration, performance, and the achievement of shared goals. They explore team dynamics, the role of questions in coaching, and the significance of defining clear goals and expectations. The conversation highlights several benefits of team coaching, including fostering trust, clarity, and adaptability within teams, and provides insights on when organizations should consider seeking coaching support.

Chapters

00:00 What is team coaching?

03:48 Exploring Team Functionality and Goals

06:36 The Role of Questions in Coaching

09:40 Defining Success Criteria for Teams

12:34 Creating Clarity and Alignment

15:18 Benefits of Team Coaching

18:13 Identifying When to Seek Coaching

21:05 Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

26:01 Embracing Human Leadership

26:24 When and How to Engage A Coach

Get In Touch

We love to hear from you! Whether you'd like to learn more about coaching or have a suggestion for a future episode of our podcast, reach out to [email protected].

Thanks to Brad MacKenzie for the music.