Surviving to Thriving ⎢Nonprofit Leadership

Feeling overwhelmed as a non-profit leader when you try to set personal and professional goals?This episode guides nonprofit women leaders away from survival mode and into aligned personal growth. You'll discover how to set powerful, values-aligned leadership goals beyond performance reviews that feel achievable, sustainable, and deeply meaningful.You'll learn:Why self‑defined goals matterWe all juggle to‑do lists and external expectations. But without goals that reflect your strengths, values, and leadership identity, you’ll stay stuck, stressed, and perpetually firefighting..Finding your starting pointDecide who you want to become, your “aspirational identity.” That clarity sets direction and motivation.Breaking big aspirations into tiny, doable stepsInstead of “be a better leader,” think “block two hours on my calendar daily, and communicate that to my team.” This is how transformation happens, one small habit at a time.Building a tailored pathwayWhat knowledge, resources, or skills do you need? Whether meditation, emotional intelligence training, journaling, or team check‑ins, create a personalized action plan.Keeping yourself accountableIdentify how you’ll measure progress, tracking calendar blocks, journaling prompts, or post‑meeting reflections. Feedback and quantifiable evidence help you course-correct and celebrate small wins.Timeline mattersGoals with short bursts (like 90 days) help reduce delay and boost motivation. Remember kaw! Consistency builds confidence.Boosting motivation through valueAdopt Pierce Steel’s Motivation Equation: Motivation = Expectancy × Value ÷ (Impulsivity × Delay). When you see how important a goal is (connected to your values) and reduce distractions, you’ll stay on track.Embracing self‑compassion and realityYes, this takes work, especially during crisis seasons like wildfires or funding cuts. But by starting small, giving yourself grace, and leaning on community or coaching support, growth becomes achievable.Putting it all into practiceKathy Archer and Kimberley Mackenzie share real-life examples—from journaling character strengths to habit-stacking simple moments, like eating an apple during a call—all stacking into meaningful change over time.

The Six Daily Habits That Make Leadership Feel Less HeavyLeadership doesn't have to feel like a grind. But too often, nonprofit women leaders are overwhelmed, doubting themselves, and feeling like they're constantly “on.” This episode is an invitation to rethink what strong leadership actually looks like. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing things differently.Kathy and Kimberley walk us through the six core practices from Character Driven Leadership for Women. These practices help you show up authentically, lead with values, and feel more grounded in your role.From learning how to journal for reflection (without the “dear diary”) to understanding how tiny acts of wellness can actually rewire your brain, this episode speaks directly to nonprofit women who are tired of just surviving. It’s a powerful reminder that confidence in leadership doesn’t come from a title, it comes from intentional, daily practice.Whether you're managing a team, running a board meeting, or navigating tricky conversations, these habits can help you feel more in control and aligned with the leader you want to be. What You’ll LearnThe 6 foundational practices of character-driven leadership- Why mindset is more than positive thinking. It’s your leadership operating system- How journaling (even in scrappy moments) can build emotional resilience- Why we must stop waiting for after-hours to care for ourselves- How to model and normalize wellness at work for your team- Why honing small daily habits matters more than any big leadership strategyResources and LinksCharacter Driven Leadership Book Clubhttps://www.kathyarcher.com/cdlbookclub.htmlFree Chapter of Character Driven Leadershiphttps://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.htmlJoin Kimberley’s Newsletter: The Compassionate Executivehttps://www.kimberleymackenzie.ca/The Infinite Leadership Loop & Assessment (from Kathy’s book)https://www.kathyarcher.com/blog/unlocking-the-secrets-of-a-magnetic-workplace-four-key-building-blocksLet’s Make Leadership Feel EasierJoin The Training Library for ongoing support and toolshttps://www.kathyarcher.com/library.htmlBuy the book Character Driven Leadership for Womenhttps://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.htmlFollow Kathy on Instagram @kathydarcherhttps://www.instagram.com/kathydarcher

How to lead your nonprofit with intention​In this episode, Kimberley McKenzie and Kathy Archer introduce the “Infinite Leadership Loop,” which is a reflective cycle of pausing, pondering, pivoting, and proceeding. They explore how embracing that loop transforms overwhelm into flow and helps nonprofit women leaders navigate change with confidence and grace.Each time your team or role shifts, it’s not failure, it’s forward motion. Nonprofit women leaders often step into roles prematurely or without the skills, leading to burnout, imposter syndrome, and misalignment. Kathy and Kimberley remind us that leadership isn’t a fixed ladder; it’s a dynamic loop of real-time learning, self-awareness, and values-aligned action.They share personal stories from stepping away from a promotion to managing growth in a fundraising-led organization, revealing how intentional self-reflection prevented character erosion and inner burnout. This loop isn’t just theory; it’s a practical daily practice of noticing body cues, tuning into your values, and slowing down enough to step forward with clarity and conviction.Key Take-a-waysLeadership is a journey, not a destination. Bleeps in roles signal growth opportunities, not setbacks.Infinite Leadership Loop: Pause to sense body/stress cues, Ponder what’s beneath them, Pivot your perspective, then Proceed with aligned action.Raise your character floor so you don’t pay the price of burnout. Even your worst days build resilience over time.Post‑Traumatic Growth: let ick and missteps become opportunities to learn, not get stuck.Leverage strengths and support: know your genius, lean in on others, and let your team shine.

Why Character Driven Leadership Matters to You as a Nonprofit Woman Leader​​In this warm and conversational episode, Kimberley and Kathy dig into how women nonprofit leaders often neglect defining their character, end up burned out, and feel stuck responding to crisis rather than leading with purpose. They show that character isn’t just aspirational values—it’s what others experience from you day to day.​Through real stories—like the HR decision to gently notify someone ahead of a layoff—you’ll learn what happens when you pause, trust your intuition, and follow your moral compass. The conversation explores how leading from emotion, integrity, and authenticity isn’t a liability—it brings safety, trust, and a sense of flow to your team. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to define your moral “hills you’ll die on,” build alignment between your ethics and actions, and let your natural strengths shine in leadership, all while protecting yourself from burnout and embracing your identity fully.In this episode, Kimberley McKenzie and Kathy Archer explore how character—your daily behavior and ethics—trumps simply knowing your values. If you’ve ever felt misaligned in leadership, this is the encouragement you’ve been waiting for.Key TakeawaysCharacter is not just your values—it’s your reputation and daily conductDefining your “aspirational ceiling” and “behavioral floor” builds trustUse the Leadership Pause to check if your actions align with your valuesNotice when something feels icky—it’s your body telling you you’re misalignedEmbrace emotional intelligence—recognize and name feelings, don’t shut them offModeling vulnerability invites psychological safety and stronger teamworkPersonal and professional growth are one journey—authentic leadership comes from integrating them

Feeling Stretched Too Thin? This Episode Is for YouIf slowing down feels impossible right now, you're not alone. In this powerful conversation, Kathy and Kimberley explore why taking a pause is essential for nonprofit women leaders, and why it's so hard to actually do. You'll walk away with validation, practical tools, and a fresh mindset to help you lead with more calm, clarity, and confidence.💬 Why This Conversation Matters for Women in Nonprofit LeadershipDo you ever feel like you need to prove your worth by being the first one in and the last one out? Like, if you take a break, people will think you’re lazy or not doing enough? In this candid and heartfelt episode, Kathy and Kimberley dive deep into why women leaders in the nonprofit sector struggle to pause and how that very pause can be the key to sustainable, values-aligned leadership.They share real-life stories (yes, car naps are totally a thing), offer brain science-backed insights, and break down what it really means to pause with intention. It’s not about doing less, it’s about showing up with more clarity, purpose, and confidence in leadership.You’ll learn about the “Infinite Leadership Loop” and how it starts (and ends) with pausing. Whether it’s a 60-second breath between Zoom calls or a full-on nap in the boardroom, this episode reminds you that rest isn't a reward; it’s a responsibility.If you’re craving more grounded leadership and less of the nonstop hustle, this conversation is your permission slip to slow down, reset, and lead differently.✨ What You’ll LearnWhy pausing feels so uncomfortable, especially for women in leadershipHow societal expectations and impostor syndrome keep us from restingThe neuroscience behind why slowing down actually boosts leadership performancePractical ways to integrate pauses into your day (without guilt)How to model sustainable leadership for your teamThe 4 types of leadership breaks: body, soul, mind, and strategyWhy rest is not laziness. It’s preparation for effective action🗣️ Powerful QuotesKimberley MacKenzie said, “If you’re a leader and no one is following you, you’re just going for a walk.”Kathy Archer shared, “You are not asking permission to take a break. Boundaries are not a question. They are a statement.”📚 Resources and LinksCharacter Driven Leadership Book ClubFree Chapter of Character Driven LeadershipJoin Kimberley’s Newsletter: The Compassionate ExecutiveThe Infinite Leadership Loop & Assessment (from Kathy’s book)💌 Let’s Make Leadership Feel EasierJoin The Training Library for ongoing support and toolsBuy the book Character Driven Leadership for WomenFollow Kathy on Instagram @kathydarcher