The Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader: Make a Greater Impact by Creating a High Performance Team while Avoiding Stress and Overwhelm

The WILD Factor: What High-Performing NGO Leaders Do Differently


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Are you still trying to lead by "knowing everything" and carrying the weight of your organization alone? In the modern NGO sector, that old model isn't just outdated—it’s a recipe for burnout.

In this episode, I sit down with Fiona MacCaulay, Founder and CEO of the WILD Network (Women for Impactful Leadership in Development). We dive deep into why the "work harder" mentality is failing humanitarian leaders and explore the specific traits you need to succeed in 2026: curiosity, continuous learning, and the courage to build a network that supports you.

Fiona shares behind-the-scenes insights on the WILD Forum, the power of the "Catalyst Circle," and why normalizing failure is the secret weapon of high-performing teams.

In this episode, you will discover:

  1. The "Modern Leadership" Shift: Why agency and self-leadership matter more than your job title.
  2. The WILD Network Explained: How this global community is redefining professional development for women in the sector.
  3. Networking with Intention: How to design a career aligned with your values (without the "gross" networking feel).

Resources Mentioned:

  1. Check out the WILD Network & Forum
  2. Get the book "Aim High and Bounce Back"

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The Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader: Make a Greater Impact by Creating a High Performance Team while Avoiding Stress and OverwhelmBy Aid for Aid Workers

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