Podcast
The Modern Humanitarian and International Development Leader: Make a Greater Impact During Uncertainty as a NGO Leader While Avoiding Stress, Burnout and Overwhelm
Hosted by Aid for Aid Workers · EN
Are you a humanitarian or international development leader who wants to make a greater impact — without the overwhelm and burnout?
This podcast is for NGO, INGO and UN leaders who want to build high-performing, empowered teams in uncertain and stressful environments — while protecting their time, energy, and wellbeing.
Each week, you’ll learn practical, coaching-informed strategies to help you:
- Lead with more clarity and confidence
- Empower diverse teams to perform at their best
- Reduce overwork and decision fatigue
- Increase productivity without sacrificing your values
- Meet the evolving demands of the modern humanitarian and development sector
I’m your host, Torrey Peace — leadership coach and founder of Aid for Aid Workers. With 12+ years working in humanitarian and development settings and coaching hundreds of leaders across the UN, INGOs, and civil society globally, I’ve seen firsthand how overwork and overwhelm have become normalized — and how unnecessary they truly are.
The good news? There is a different way to lead.
Join me every Monday for short, practical insights that help you step out of overwhelm and start leading with greater impact, sustainability, and purpose.
👉 New here? Start with listener-favorite: A Surprising Way to Ensure Team Success: https://www.aidforaidworkers.com/blog/success-7
31episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Perfectionism Problem: Why 'Good Enough' Outperforms Perfect
1w ago00:08:30Tap to summarizeAre you spending hours trying to make your work perfect only to feel more stressed, overwhelmed, and behind?Many humanitarian and nonprofit leaders believe perfection equals professionalism and impact. But in reality, perfectionism often creates anxiety, procrastination, burnout, and wasted energy while slowing down the meaningful work that truly matters.In this episode you'll:Learn the difference between producing quality work and falling into the perfectionism trapDiscover the three biggest signs your work has crossed from productive into perfectionisticFind practical strategies to reduce stress, stop overthinking, and create sustainable impact without sacrificing standardsPress play to learn how to let go of perfectionism, protect your energy, and produce impactful work more effectively as a leader.Watch on YouTube HereWHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit.This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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Your Team's Best Ideas Are Hiding Behind This Simple Question
2w ago00:07:55Tap to summarizeWhat if the reason your team isn’t bringing better ideas isn’t a lack of creativity—but the way you’re leading conversations?Many leaders unintentionally shut down deeper thinking by jumping in too quickly with solutions. In this episode, Torrey explains why simple questions often create the most powerful breakthroughs and how one small shift in communication can help your team think more creatively, solve problems more effectively, and take greater ownership of their work.What you'll learn:Learn why the simple question “What else?” can unlock deeper creativity and problem-solving within your teamDiscover how silence and patience help people move beyond surface-level answers into innovative thinkingUnderstand how to create more ownership, confidence, and resourcefulness without constantly providing solutionsPress play to discover how one simple leadership question can transform your conversations, strengthen your team’s thinking, and unlock ideas that may already be waiting beneath the surface.Watch on YouTube HereWHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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The #1 Reason NGO Leaders Procrastinate (It’s Not What You Think)
3w ago00:08:35Tap to summarizeAre you really procrastinating…or are your thoughts keeping you stuck?Many leaders assume procrastination is a discipline or time management problem, but the real issue often lies deeper in the way we think. In this episode, Torrey explores how perfectionism, fear of failure, and over-responsibility create hesitation that delays action, impacts teams, and keeps even high performers stuck in overthinking.In this episode you’ll discover:- Why procrastination is often driven by perfectionism and leadership thinking patterns rather than laziness- How to use AI as a self-coaching tool to uncover what’s really causing avoidance- Practical prompts and simple next steps to move from overthinking into action faster.Press play to learn how to break the cycle of procrastination, rethink the thoughts holding you back, and lead with more clarity and action starting today.Prompts to Use:“I am procrastinating on this: [task]. Ask me one question at a time to help me take action.”“Help me identify what I’m thinking that’s causing me to avoid this.”“Challenge my thinking if I’m being overly negative or unrealistic.”“Help me find the smallest next step I can take right now.”Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/24A41ptNH84WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE? QUIZWant to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit.This podcast empowers nonprofit, international development and humanitarian NGO, INGO, UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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3 Thoughts Keeping Nonprofit Leaders Stuck—And How to Change Them
4w ago00:09:10Tap to summarizeAre you an NGO leader feeling stuck—overthinking decisions, carrying too much responsibility, and wondering if your leadership is creating the impact you hoped for?Many leaders in the humanitarian and development world are promoted for their technical expertise, but rarely supported in developing the mindset shifts needed for sustainable, people-centered leadership. This often leads to burnout, disengaged teams, and leaders feeling trapped between driving results and protecting their own wellbeing. In this episode, Torrey shares the 3 common thoughts that keep NGO leaders stuck—and how to change them so you can lead with more clarity, confidence, and impact.By listening you’ll learn:The 3 common thought patterns that keep NGO leaders feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and disconnected from their leadership potentialHow people-centered leadership helps you lead stronger, more inclusive teams without sacrificing accountability or resultsPractical mindset shifts to help you step out of overwork and overwhelm so you can lead sustainably and protect your wellbeingPress play now to discover how shifting these 3 thoughts can help you become the leader your team needs—without burning yourself out.Watch on YouTube HereIf this episode helped you recognize the thoughts keeping you stuck as a leader, “Becoming the Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader" course will help you turn those insights into practical action.Designed specifically for humanitarian and development professionals, this course gives you the tools to lead with more confidence, clarity, and wellbeing—without falling into burnout. Visit here to learn more and start building the people-centered leadership skills your team needs.This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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3 Signs You’re Trying to Control Others and How It’s Hurting You as a NGO Leader - MVP Episode
Apr 2700:16:44Tap to summarizeDo you ever say “yes” just to be seen as helpful — even when you’re drowning in work?In this episode, you will learn the subtle yet powerful ways humanitarian and development leaders unconsciously try to control others — and how it leads to burnout, miscommunication, and weakened team dynamics.In this episode you'll discover:Hidden signs you’re trying to influence others’ thoughts, emotions, or behaviorsLearn how people-pleasing and micromanaging quietly disempower your teamWalk away with powerful mindset shifts to free yourself from unnecessary stress and lead more authenticallyPress play now to uncover how letting go of control can help you reclaim time, reduce stress, and become the leader your team truly needs.What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz:Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit.This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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Why 'I'm Too Busy' Is Keeping You Stuck as an NGO Leader
Apr 2000:09:10Tap to summarizeWhere in your life or leadership are you telling yourself, “this is just the way it is”?If you’ve ever felt stuck—blaming your workload, your team, or your environment—it can feel like there’s nothing you can change. But that belief often keeps you in a cycle of frustration and limitation. The reality is, many leaders unknowingly give away their power by not questioning their own role in the results they’re experiencing.In this episode, you’ll learn how to take back control of your leadership and results by:Identifying the subtle ways you may be disempowering yourself in your daily thinkingShifting from blame and frustration to ownership and influence in your workRecognizing what’s actually within your control so you can create meaningful change—even in challenging environmentsPress play now to learn how to reclaim your power as a leader and start creating results you actually want.Watch on YouTube HereIf you’re ready to move from “this is just the way it is” to taking ownership of your results, this is exactly what we focus on in Becoming the Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader.In six weeks, you’ll apply these tools directly to your work and create real change in how you lead. The next cohort begins May 12th—learn more here.
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Why Smart NGO Leaders Stop Telling Their Teams What To Do
Apr 1300:07:28Tap to summarizeWhat if your team keeps coming to you with problems—not because they lack initiative, but because of how you’re leading them?If you feel like you’re constantly answering questions, solving problems, and being the go-to for every decision, it can quickly become exhausting. You want a capable, proactive team—but instead, you may feel like the bottleneck. The truth is, many leaders unintentionally create this dynamic, even when they believe they’re empowering their teams.In this episode, you’ll learn how to truly empower your team and reduce your own workload by:Recognizing the hidden beliefs that may be keeping your team dependent on youShifting your approach so your team starts thinking, deciding, and taking ownershipBuilding a more independent, proactive team that frees up your time and increases overall impactPress play now to discover how to stop being the bottleneck and start leading a team that thinks and acts independently.Watch on YouTube HereWhat Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz:Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style?” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit.This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.
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The #1 Mindset Shift That Makes NGO Leaders Stronger in Uncertain Times
Apr 600:06:26Tap to summarizeHave you ever made a leadership decision—and then spent hours second-guessing whether you got it right?In today’s reality of limited resources, constant change, and growing demands, uncertainty can feel overwhelming. You may find yourself overthinking decisions, trying to control every outcome, or putting pressure on yourself to always “get it right.” But instead of building confidence, this often leads to stress, self-doubt, and a heavier leadership load that limits your impact.In this episode, you’ll learn how to lead with more confidence and ease—even in uncertain environments—by:Understanding why trying to control everything actually reduces your effectiveness as a leaderShifting your definition of confidence so you can make decisions without constant second-guessingDeveloping a healthier relationship with uncertainty that allows you to stay grounded, clear, and resilientPress play now to learn how to stop second-guessing your decisions and start leading with confidence—even when nothing feels certain.Watch on YouTube HereReady for more?If you’re stuck overthinking, controlling, and still feeling like it’s never enough, this episode on High Performance Syndrome will show you exactly why—and how to break the cycle. Listen now to start leading with more clarity, confidence, and impact.
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Stop Reacting, Start Leading: Take Back Control of Your Time as an NGO Leader
Mar 3000:07:46Tap to summarizeHave you ever ended a packed workweek wondering, “What did I actually accomplish?”If your days are filled with meetings, emails, and constant demands—but you still feel like you’re not making meaningful progress—you’re not alone. Many leaders in the humanitarian and development sector fall into the trap of being constantly busy without being intentional, leaving them reactive, overwhelmed, and disconnected from the impact they truly want to create.In this episode, you’ll learn how to take back control of your time and lead with greater intention, including:A simple time awareness exercise that reveals where your hours are really goingPractical ways to shift from reactive busyness to intentional, high-impact workA mindset and decision-making approach that helps you reclaim control of your time and prioritiesPress play now to learn how to free up hours each week and start using your time in a way that actually drives meaningful impact.Watch on YouTube HereReady to stop just managing your time—and start leading it?The Time Diary builds awareness.But without clarity on what truly matters, you’ll stay busy… just more aware of it.That’s why the next step is defining your Leadership Vision—so you can decide what to focus on, delegate, and let go. Listen to this episode to find out more: From Busy to Impactful.
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How Smart NGO Leaders Use Imposter Syndrome as a Growth Signal
Mar 2300:30:28Tap to summarizeWhat if that voice telling you “you’re not ready” is actually the clearest sign that you’re growing into your next level of leadership?If you’ve ever questioned your readiness, felt like an imposter, or hesitated to step into bigger opportunities, you’re not alone—especially in high-pressure humanitarian and development roles where expectations are high and support is limited.In this episode, I sit down with Birgit Hermann, a leadership coach, author, interim executive, and strategy partner, to explore how self-doubt shows up for leaders—and how to navigate it. Together, we reframe these moments of uncertainty as signals that you’re stretching beyond your comfort zone and stepping into meaningful growth.In this episode, you’ll discover:A powerful reframe that helps you see Imposter Syndrome as a sign of growth, not a weaknessA practical way to expand your comfort zone so you can take on bigger challenges with confidenceSimple, actionable tools to manage fear and self-doubt in high-stakes leadership momentsPress play now to learn how to turn self-doubt into a growth signal—and start leading with more courage and clarity today.Resources Mentioned:Check out Birgit HermannGet the book, "BOLDER: A Leadership Mindset and Framework Forged at the Edge: Inspire Change, Shift Culture, and Build Sustainable Impact—Without Burnout"Watch on YouTube Here
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