The Beacon

In this podcast, Margaret and Marc discuss Marc’s new book, “The Surprising Gift of Doubt: Use Uncertainty to Become the Exceptional Leader You Are Meant to Be” and how self-doubt can propel leaders out of their comfort zone and into greatness. Marc also talks about traits the make a great nonprofit leader, answering questions including:

• Self-doubt has long been thought to be something that holds people back. But in your book, you say that doubt is "actually a signal that you just might be on the verge of greatness." It seems counterintuitive.

Would you explain that for us?

• What have you discovered to be the most critical traits for successful leadership, especially for nonprofit leaders?

• What is it that keeps potentially great leaders from reaching their potential — and how can they overcome that?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy speaks with Jim Anderson, a founding partner of GoalBusters Consulting, about donor motivation and how properly motivating donors can lead to increased engagement and giving.

Jeff and Jim discuss the positive flip side of donor fatigue, which is donor motivation, and Jim answers questions, including:

• What are some types of donor motivation and how does a nonprofit determine what motivates its donors?

• What are some misconceptions about why donors give?

• What can fundraisers learn from the sales world about donor motivation?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy talks with Dr. Kent Keith, author of “Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments.” You no doubt have heard of the “paradoxical commandments” — if nowhere else, then on social media, where, unfortunately, they often are attributed to Mother Theresa.

The commandments are guidelines for finding personal meaning in the face of adversity, for example: People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered — love them anyway.

In this conversation, Jeff and Kent discuss servant leadership and its role in the world of nonprofits and fundraising. Kent answers questions, including:

• What application is there for servant leadership in the nonprofit world?

• What advice would you offer fundraising professionals today?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel President Jeff Jowdy talks with Sally Bryant, president and CEO of Bryant Group, an executive search and leadership consulting firm.

Jeff and Sally discuss the hiring and workplace landscape in the nonprofit world and the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on it. Sally shares her thoughts and answers questions including:

• What trends are emerging now from the pandemic when it comes to hiring, leadership and the workplace?

• What advice do you have for professionals in education and health care when it comes to hiring and leadership?

• How has remote working affected the workplace?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy talks with Frank Parsons, principal consultant at Parsons consulting, where they provide leadership development, succession and executive recruiting services.

In this conversation, Frank shares his thoughts on how nonprofit organizations can stay the course even in times when their leadership is undergoing changes, Frank and Jeff discuss four core competencies that are important to look for in nonprofit leaders, and Frank shares stories around leadership hiring. The discussion answer questions including:

• Why is it important for organizations to have a succession plan and leadership development strategy?

• Is it better for an organization to fill leadership positions from within?

• What qualities should an organization look for when hiring for leadership positions?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy talks with Lilya Wagner, retired director of Philanthropic Service for Institutions, a consulting office specializing in services for faith-based organizations. In this conversation, Lilya shares her thoughts on the timeliest of subjects: cultural diversity and its important role in philanthropy.

Lilya and Jeff discuss and define cultural intelligence and cultural competence, “code switching between cultures” and how fundraising professionals can ensure a more inclusive and diverse environment for staff and for donors.

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Jeremy Park, CEO of cityCURRENT, about identifying and maintaining relationships with corporate donors. Jeremy shares that and addresses:

• How nonprofits can identify which corporations they should seek a gift from

• The importance of finding corporate donors whose values align with the mission of the nonprofit

• How nonprofits can nurture and strengthen their relationships with corporate donors

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Lighthouse Counsel Senior Consultant David Key speaks with Patricia Ramirez Pinckney, founder of the RIMA Strategy & Marketing, about philanthropy in the Hispanic and Latino market.

In their conversation, Patricia and David explore what nonprofit organizations need to know about the most effective ways to connect and engage with this deeply charitable population and will answer questions such as:

• Why aren’t charitable organizations reaching out as frequently to Hispanic and Latino populations as they do to other demographics?

• What are the major differences to consider within the Hispanic and Latino community?

• What does volunteerism look like in Hispanic and Latino communities?

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy speaks with Cecil Staton, president and CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), about how associations can advocate for their membership during the pandemic.

Cecil shares about the impact of COVID-19 on his association and shares:

• What his association’s leadership did to pivot and what changes were made at the beginning of the pandemic.

• What steps the association took to assist its members; and,

• What advice he has for other associations whose membership is especially impacted by the pandemic.

In this episode of The Beacon Podcast, Jeff Jowdy and Dan Ryan, CEO and president of Ryan Partners, discuss succession planning and the importance of building bench strength. Dan explains:

• by which roles should have succession plans;

• how to begin succession planning;

• who's responsible for succession planning; and

• what it means to build bench strength.