[NPFX Ep. 65] Leading through Layers: Communication Strategies to Align Your Team (with Beth Napleton, Christina Lear, and Amy Tamura)
Welcome to The Nonprofit Fundraising Exchange, a podcast from IPM Advancement. Our mission is to empower nonprofits to succeed so they can make the world a better place.
Today’s topic: Leading through Layers — Communication Strategies to Align Your Team (with Beth Napleton, Christina Lear, and Amy Tamura)
When communication within a nonprofit flows effectively — from leadership to management to staff, and vice versa — teams tend to work well together, and the nonprofit thrives. However, when enough breakdowns in communication occur, a toxic work culture can quickly take root. In today's episode, we’ll explore the unique challenges nonprofits face in fostering clear communication, and strategies for creating more engaged teams, safer environments for feedback, and ultimately, greater impact in your mission.
Episode highlights include:
- The difficulty of managing with limited resources and the tendency for leaders' words to be taken as final decisions.
- How a Bruce Springsteen concert illustrates effective leadership through layers.
- The role of the board of directors in nonprofit leadership and the importance of two-way communication.
- The concept of organizational leadership, where the entire organization speaks with a unified voice.
- How to identify and address low staff morale, and the need for staff to feel heard and connected to the organization's mission.
- Practical tips for staff to help leaders improve communication within a nonprofit.
- The importance of repetition and consistency in communication to ensure messages are understood.
- The value of an outside perspective, and when organizations should consider bringing in a consultant.
- Do suggestion boxes work? (And the 3 ways to respond to suggestions.)
Special Offer: Free 30-minute consultation for NPFX listeners
Additional Resources
- IPM's free Nonprofit Resource Library
- [NPFX] How to Prevent Nonprofit Staff Burnout and Create a Culture of Wellness
- [NPFX] How to Build Your Nonprofit to Succeed
- Nonprofit Staff Retention, Part 1: Are Higher Salaries Really the Answer?
- 5 Ways to Improve Your Fundraising Team’s Morale
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Guests
Beth Napleton is the CEO of LevelEDUP Leadership, bringing over 25 years of experience in education leadership. Previously, she founded and led a charter school network on Chicago’s far South Side, where every graduate — most of them first-generation college students — was accepted to at least two four-year colleges. Beth coaches senior leaders in education and mission-driven organizations to "lead through layers" with greater efficiency and impact. A certified Gallup Strengths coach and alumna of Columbia University, Teach For America, and Building Excellent Schools, she has also completed the National Principal Supervisors Academy at Relay Graduate School of Education. She is a winner of the prestigious national Harriett Ball Excellence in Teaching Award, and has been featured on over 20 podcasts.
Christina Lear is a former high school principal who now advises school leaders on educational transformation and collective impact in her role at SkyBound Education. As a principal, Christina led her school through several significant changes, including redesigning the school model, reorganizing the delivery of school throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and improving the school’s rating from an F to a B. Christina has also worked on policy advising, community organizing, and campaigns for many education organizations. She is passionate about empowering communities with barriers to opportunity and using both systemic change and leadership development to tackle equity gaps.
Amy Tamura most recently served as Board President of Cupertino Co-Op Nursery School, a cherished institution with over 70 years of history in nurturing young children aged 2–5 and their families. Her commitment to education and child development extended to co-leading Project Cornerstone at Braly Elementary, teaching school-aged children at Bible Study Fellowship, and volunteering with various organizations. Now focusing on raising her own children, Amy proudly describes herself as "out of the game," while continuing to bring the same energy and care to her family that she has shown to her community.
Hosts
Russ Phaneuf, a co-founder of IPM Advancement, has a background in higher education development, with positions at the University of Hartford, Northern Arizona University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. As IPM's managing director & chief strategist, Russ serves as lead fundraising strategist, award-winning content creator, and program analyst specializing in applied system dynamics.
Rich Frazier has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years. In his role as senior consultant with IPM Advancement, Rich offers extensive understanding and knowledge in major gifts program management, fund development, strategic planning, and board of directors development.