Making Sense In the Mess: Leadership for a Turbulent Time

Making Sense In the Mess: Leadership for a Turbulent Time Guest: Daniel Atlin Leadership in uncertain times is not about pretending to have all the answers. It is about helping people make sense of what is happening, stay grounded in purpose, and move forward together even when the path is unclear. In this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange, Hugh Ballou talks with Daniel Atlin, a strategic advisor, executive coach, and leadership researcher, about the growing importance of sensemaking in nonprofit and mission-driven leadership. Daniel explores why certainty is often an illusion in complex organizations and why leaders need to become more adaptive, collaborative, and self-aware. He explains the difference between inner sensemaking—understanding our own reactions, biases, stress, and resilience—and outer sensemaking—reading the people, systems, relationships, and changing conditions around us. The conversation also covers the importance of purpose as an anchor, the limitations of rigid strategic plans, and the “art of subtraction”—knowing what to stop doing so an organization can focus on what matters most. Daniel also shares practical leadership habits, including self-reflection, listening for signals that challenge our assumptions, and asking one powerful question: “What am I not seeing? What am I missing here?” This episode is especially valuable for nonprofit executives, clergy, board members, and other purpose-driven leaders who are navigating complexity, change, and uncertainty. Learn more about Daniel Atlin: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices