Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast: "Burnout Looks Like Control: How To Lead Without Controlling Everything"

Host: Brooke Richie-Babbage
Release Date: June 10, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, Brooke Richie-Babbage delves into the critical challenge faced by nonprofit leaders as their organizations grow: avoiding burnout by relinquishing control. Brooke shares actionable strategies to help leaders transition from micromanagement to a more sustainable, high-altitude approach to leadership.

The Challenge of Scaling: Control vs. Burnout

As nonprofits expand, leaders often find themselves overwhelmed trying to oversee every aspect of the organization. Brooke emphasizes that maintaining control in such scenarios is not only unsustainable but also a primary pathway to burnout. She introduces the concept of "leading at a higher altitude," where leaders focus on strategic oversight rather than day-to-day management.

Shifting from Control to Alignment

Brooke highlights the common temptation for executive directors to either cling to every operational detail or completely disengage, leading to chaos. She argues for replacing the need for control with a focus on alignment within the organization.

"We actually want to replace the idea of control with the idea of alignment." (04:35)

Operationalizing Values

To foster alignment, Brooke advises leaders to embed clear operational values that guide decision-making across the organization. This approach ensures that even in the leader's absence, decisions remain consistent with the organization's core principles.

"You have to be crystal clear about what that direction is and how you're going to get there and what matters." (12:15)

Designing Your Leadership Dashboard

Brooke introduces the metaphor of a "dashboard" or "cockpit" that provides leaders with high-level indicators essential for steering the organization without getting bogged down by every detail.

Key Areas of Focus:

1. Decision Making

   As organizations grow, decision-making becomes more distributed. Leaders must ensure that their team operates within the defined values to maintain coherence.

   "Instead of leading by managing specific work, products or deliverables, you as the leader in your cockpit, what you're keeping an eye on is whether key decisions and behaviors are aligned with the core values." (18:50)

2. Tracking Outcomes and Monitoring

   Transitioning from merely tracking outcomes to overseeing them involves setting clear, measurable goals at both team and individual levels. This ensures that all efforts are aligned with the organization's priorities.

   "If you are seeing decisions and behaviors that are not values aligned, don't start checking in and putting your fingers on all the decisions." (27:30)

3. Sharing Information Effectively

   Effective information sharing is crucial for maintaining strategic oversight. Brooke advises minimizing unnecessary updates and focusing on information that supports high-level decision-making.

   "You want information that will allow you to understand the information in your cockpit." (22:10)

Embracing Discomfort and Evolving Leadership

Brooke acknowledges that shifting to a high-altitude leadership style can be uncomfortable. She encourages leaders to embrace this discomfort as a sign of growth and evolution.

"As your organization evolves into a different kind of institution, a different kind of organism... it's going to feel weird, it's not going to feel normal. And that's okay." (09:00)

Real-World Impact: Leader’s Testimonial

Brooke shares a testimonial from a leader who benefited from her coaching, illustrating the transformative impact of adopting a higher-altitude leadership approach.

"That's the first time I felt like our organization's future isn't resting entirely on my shoulders. I can breathe. After years of running on instinct, I finally feel like we have a real structure behind us. Working with you helped me to step into a next version of myself as a leader. It's been a total shift in how I see my role and what's possible for our organization." (30:45)

Conclusion and Reflective Questions

Brooke wraps up the episode by urging leaders to identify the most critical information they need to steer their organization effectively. She emphasizes the importance of building capacity to delegate and trusting teams to maintain alignment without constant oversight.

"What is one thing that you need to know each week so that you feel confident that you are stewarding your organization in the right direction?" (35:20)

Key Takeaways

• Focus on Alignment: Shift from controlling every detail to ensuring that all decisions align with the organization's core values.
• Design a Strategic Dashboard: Identify and monitor high-level indicators that reflect the organization's health and direction.
• Embrace Discomfort: Recognize that evolving leadership styles may feel uncomfortable but are essential for growth.
• Delegate Effectively: Build systems and trust within your team to handle operational tasks, reducing personal burnout.
• Reflect Regularly: Continuously assess what information is vital for strategic oversight and let go of non-essential details.

Resources Mentioned

• Delegation Ladder: A tool for effectively delegating responsibilities to maintain organizational stability. Available in the show notes.
• Leadership Forward 321 Newsletter: Offers additional insights and resources. Sign up by texting "impact" to 66866 or visiting brookrichebabbage.com.

By adopting Brooke Richie-Babbage's strategies, nonprofit leaders can navigate the complexities of scaling their organizations without succumbing to burnout, ensuring sustained impact and growth.