Nonprofit Leadership Podcast - Episode Summary
Title: How Uncertainty Is Impacting Nonprofit Leaders’ Confidence and Decision-Making
Host: Dr. Rob Harder
Guest: Kelly Kinsley, CEO and Certified Leadership Coach
Release Date: July 21, 2025
1. Introduction
In this compelling episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harder delves into the pressing issue of uncertainty and its profound effects on nonprofit leaders’ confidence and decision-making abilities. The episode features an insightful conversation with Kelly Kinsley, an experienced CEO and certified leadership coach specializing in the social impact sector.
2. Guest Background
Dr. Harder introduces Kelly Kinsley, highlighting her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and her recent research involving interviews with over 40 top-level leaders across social impact, for-profit, and government sectors. Kelly's mission is to assist visionary leaders in mission-driven organizations to achieve deeper impact by overcoming barriers to growth and effectiveness.
3. Key Findings from Interviews
Kelly Kinsley shares the critical insights gleaned from her interviews, emphasizing a "crisis of confidence" among leaders, a phenomenon not previously observed in the sector.
“There is a crisis of confidence amongst leaders out there in a way that these leaders have not felt before.”
— Kelly Kinsley [05:44]
She attributes this crisis to the shifting national landscape, particularly in government funding and support, which has traditionally bolstered many nonprofit missions.
4. Challenges Faced by Nonprofit Leaders
Kelly identifies the three most common challenges nonprofit leaders are currently grappling with:
a. Confusion and Ambiguity on Direction
Leaders are unclear about the future direction of their organizations amidst changing economic and political climates.
“The number one challenge that they're facing is this confusion and ambiguity on what direction to take.”
— Kelly Kinsley [08:11]
b. Reactivity and Firefighting
Instead of proactive strategic planning, leaders find themselves in a constant state of reactivity, managing crises as they arise.
“They were seeing their teams in this, which again is not surprising... just responding to these crises.”
— Kelly Kinsley [08:11]
c. Exhaustion and Burnout
Continuous reactivity and uncertainty are leading to exhaustion and burnout, undermining leaders’ ability to inspire and lead effectively.
“They were facing a challenge of exhaustion and burnout because... they're just responding to these crises.”
— Kelly Kinsley [08:11]
5. Impact Across Sectors
Kelly notes that this sense of uncertainty isn’t confined to the nonprofit sector alone but is also prevalent among leaders in the public and private sectors, reflecting a broader cultural shift.
“In the research that I did, I looked not only at the social sector, but I also interviewed leaders in the public sector and in the private sector, and they, too, were facing this sense of confusion and ambiguity.”
— Kelly Kinsley [07:34]
6. Specific Example from Interview
Kelly recounts a poignant example of a nonprofit leader, referred to as "Nancy," to illustrate the personal toll of this uncertainty.
“Nancy... described her situation as having a great deal of uncertainty in how to lead and how that creates a lack of joy in the work that she does.”
— Kelly Kinsley [18:00]
Nancy struggles with balancing the stress of leadership without succumbing to despair, highlighting the internal conflict many leaders face.
7. Actionable Strategies
To combat these challenges, Kelly proposes three practical tools for nonprofit leaders:
a. Chaos Values
Chaos Values are the core values that leaders rely on during times of uncertainty. By identifying and embracing these values, leaders can maintain authenticity and effectiveness.
“Chaos values are the values that you lean on during times of uncertainty.”
— Kelly Kinsley [21:51]
b. Going on the Balcony
Inspired by leadership concepts from theater, this strategy encourages leaders to step back from day-to-day chaos to gain a broader perspective, facilitating strategic planning and emotional regulation.
“Going on the balcony... is a mindset.”
— Kelly Kinsley [24:33]
c. Magic Delegation Question
This involves leaders asking themselves, “What am I uniquely qualified to do?” to focus on their strengths and delegate other tasks, thereby reducing burnout and empowering team members.
“The magic delegation question is asking yourself, what am I uniquely qualified to do?”
— Kelly Kinsley [25:10]
8. Implementing Strategies Immediately
Kelly provides practical steps for leaders to implement these strategies right away:
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For Chaos Values: Leaders can visit truvalues.com, assess their values, and share their chaos values with their teams the next day.
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For Going on the Balcony: Encourage a shift in mindset to alternate between direct engagement and strategic observation.
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For the Magic Delegation Question: Leaders should list their responsibilities, identify tasks they are uniquely qualified to handle, and delegate the rest to their team members promptly.
“Have them look at the list, too... Focus only on what truly has to happen.”
— Kelly Kinsley [27:45]
9. Closing Remarks
Dr. Rob Harder and Kelly Kinsley conclude the conversation by emphasizing the importance of clarity and purpose in nonprofit leadership. Kelly invites listeners to connect with her via email for personalized support.
“If you're listening this and want to talk through your challenges, drop me a note.”
— Kelly Kinsley [27:57]
Dr. Harder underscores the episode's value in providing immediate, actionable insights to enhance leadership effectiveness amidst uncertainty.
Conclusion
This episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast offers a deep dive into the current challenges faced by nonprofit leaders, particularly focusing on the erosion of confidence and clarity due to widespread uncertainty. Through Kelly Kinsley’s research and practical strategies, leaders are equipped with tools to reclaim their strategic vision, reduce burnout, and lead their organizations with renewed purpose and effectiveness.
Connect with Kelly Kinsley:
Website: KellyOpenCircleCoaching.com
Email: Kelly@OpenCircleCoaching.com
Listen to More Episodes: Available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, and the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast website.