Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: How to Bring More Innovation to Your Organization
Host: Dr. Rob Harder
Guest: Leah Krall
Release Date: March 16, 2025
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harder welcomes Leah Krall, the author of "Innovation for Social Change." The conversation delves deep into the role of innovation within nonprofit organizations, exploring strategies to embed creative thinking into organizational structures and overcome common barriers to progress.
Guest Introduction: Leah Krall
Leah Krall brings over three decades of diverse experience to the table, transitioning from a career in design and quality systems to a passionate advocate for nonprofit innovation. Her journey took a pivotal turn when she and her husband joined the US Peace Corps, serving in Kingston, Jamaica. This transformative experience ignited her commitment to apply effective management practices to empower nonprofit leaders.
Notable Quote:
"In the midst of crisis, look for the helpers."
— Leah Krall [04:38]
Book Overview: "Innovation for Social Change"
Leah's book emerged from her extensive work with entrepreneurial nonprofit teams. Initially intended as a guide on nonprofit effectiveness, it evolved to focus sharply on innovation within the sector. The book serves as a "mini MBA for nonprofits," offering practical insights and strategies applicable to organizations of any size and budget.
Notable Quote:
"It's about unpacking the how of nonprofit innovation."
— Leah Krall [06:55]
Understanding Innovation in Nonprofits
Contrary to popular belief, innovation is not exclusive to the for-profit or startup sectors. Leah emphasizes that nonprofits are inherently mission-driven and thus prime candidates for innovative solutions to pressing social issues like food insecurity and housing affordability.
Notable Quote:
"Innovation can be very small and humble... that's process innovation."
— Leah Krall [08:07]
Building Innovation into Organizational DNA
Leah outlines how nonprofits can intentionally cultivate an innovative culture. She highlights the importance of empowering staff at all levels to contribute ideas, drawing inspiration from exemplary organizations like the Mayo Clinic, which fosters a culture where every team member is encouraged to innovate.
Notable Quote:
"Good patient outcomes are because they are empowered to carry out their organizational values."
— Leah Krall [11:46]
Six Principles of Social Change Innovation
Leah introduces six core principles designed to guide nonprofit leaders toward meaningful innovation:
- Be a Fearless Problem Solver: Continuously seek out and address hidden needs.
- Ask Courageous Questions: Challenge the status quo to uncover better solutions.
- Empower Frontline Employees: Foster collaboration and open communication.
- Leave Room for Experiments: Embrace risk-taking and accept potential failures as learning opportunities.
- Embrace Continuous Learning: Regularly evaluate and adapt strategies based on feedback.
- Master Persuasion: Effectively communicate and advocate for innovative ideas both internally and externally.
Notable Quote:
"These six things work together in a really important way. You can't take one out."
— Leah Krall [14:00]
Barriers to Innovation in Nonprofits
Despite their mission-driven nature, nonprofits often face significant obstacles to innovation. Leah identifies several key barriers:
- Fear of Failure: Concerns about wastefulness and donor perceptions can stifle creativity.
- Compassion Fatigue: Overextension and inability to prioritize lead to burnout and hinder strategic thinking.
- Cultural Constraints: A lack of empowerment and a culture of fear prevent frontline workers from sharing groundbreaking ideas.
Notable Quote:
"We have a fog of good intentions."
— Leah Krall [19:43]
Drawing Creativity from Frontline Workers
Leah advocates for harnessing the creative potential of those directly engaged with service delivery. By adopting practices like Pixar's "brutal feedback" and design thinking tailored for nonprofits, organizations can tap into groundbreaking ideas that may otherwise remain hidden.
Notable Quote:
"The role of the creative feedback process is to get the movie from suck to unsuck."
— Leah Krall [23:43]
Personal Innovation: Bringing Your Innovation Game
In the final section of her book, Leah focuses on personal development as a catalyst for organizational innovation. She encourages leaders to identify their unique strengths and passions, enabling them to prioritize effectively and lead with confidence.
Notable Quote:
"Finding your superpower can help you be more entrepreneurial."
— Leah Krall [27:16]
Importance of Nonprofits in Civil Society
Leah underscores the critical role nonprofits play in addressing societal challenges and building a resilient civil society. From alleviating hunger to fostering education and mental health, nonprofits are indispensable in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Notable Quote:
"Nonprofits really provide some of the greatest gifts to the world and take on some of its hardest problems."
— Leah Krall [31:01]
Examples of Innovative Nonprofits
Highlighting real-world applications, Leah shares the story of World Reader, a nonprofit dedicated to providing digital books to disadvantaged children. Through strategic experimentation—such as testing both Kindle tablets and mobile apps—World Reader successfully pivoted to a more effective platform, demonstrating the power of flexible innovation.
Notable Quote:
"Experimentation really does help us learn and innovate."
— Leah Krall [34:19]
Conclusion: Accessing Leah Krall's Work
For listeners eager to delve deeper into fostering innovation within their organizations, Leah recommends visiting her website at leahkrall.com, where they can access her book, blog on Substack, and connect via LinkedIn and Twitter.
Notable Quote:
"Feel free to visit my website and the book's available at all major retailers."
— Leah Krall [35:15]
Final Thoughts
Dr. Rob Harder expresses his gratitude to Leah Krall for sharing her invaluable insights and efforts to empower nonprofit leaders. He encourages listeners to explore Leah's book and resources to cultivate a more innovative and effective nonprofit sector.
Connect with Leah Krall:
- Website: leahkrall.com
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Twitter (X)
- Book Availability: Major retailers
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