Jamie Bearse is joined by Joe Terry, the CEO at Culture Partners, emphasizes the importance of company culture in driving employee engagement and customer experience. Joe cites Trader Joe's and USAA as examples of companies that have successfully prioritized culture to create positive employee experiences, resulting in enhanced satisfaction across their customer-base.

The same philosophy goes for nonprofits. To create a great organization, start with positive experiences that build trust and those experiences will spill into the cause-support communities we’re building.

Terry shares his personal mission to unlock human potential and create workplace cultures based on love where employees feel valued, supported, and part of a team.

Key Points:
- Trader Joe's and USAA are examples of companies that prioritize culture and create positive employee experiences.
- Leaders should create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and part of a team.
- A strong company culture positively impacts the customer experience. Leading with love at work fosters a caring and fulfilling environment.
- Leaders should set high expectations for employees and help them unlock their full potential.

In this episode of the Build a Better Nonprofit Podcast, Jamie Bearse interviews Mary Wheatley, CEO of the National Scleroderma Foundation. Mary shares her background in the rheumatology space, having previously worked with the Rheumatology Research Foundation and the American College of Rheumatology. They discuss the rare autoimmune disease scleroderma and the work of the National Scleroderma Foundation to increase awareness and promote early diagnosis.

Mary emphasizes the importance of building relationships between care teams and patients in the chronic disease space, particularly in rheumatology. She shares her insights on balancing accountability to both the board and staff as a CEO, highlighting the need for a work-life balance.

They also delve into the process of uniting different affiliates and chapters of the foundation into one cohesive national community. Mary discusses the challenges and emotional considerations involved in merging different organizations while maintaining the identity of individual chapters. She advises other organizations going through similar processes to provide space for discussing emotional and identity-related concerns.

The importance of effective communication and being clear about the continuity of local leadership and autonomy in chapters during mergers is also discussed. Mary stresses the significance of transparency and vulnerability in leadership, creating a bridge with the team by openly sharing her own shortcomings.

Mary brings transparency to the National Scleroderma Foundation by regularly sharing information on strategic initiatives and financial health publicly. This transparency helps foster a sense of closeness and shared understanding within the community.

Mary's advice for aspiring nonprofit professionals includes asking for help and advice, relying on a network of experts, and letting go of the expectation of having all the answers.

Challenges faced by nonprofit leaders, such as staff turnover and increased competition for talent, are discussed. Mary shares her experience of strategizing and adapting to overcome challenges, including declines in donations and the impact of the economy on individual giving.

Overall, this episode emphasizes the importance of transparency, vulnerability, and seeking support in nonprofit leadership. It provides insights and advice for aspiring leaders in the sector while shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of retaining talent and employee engagement in the nonprofit sector. Our guest is Michael Osso, CEO of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, shares his insights and experiences in implementing effective strategies to address these challenges. He discusses the impact of the pandemic, the concept of the "great resignation," and the importance of being intentional about employee care. Michael also highlights various tactics and initiatives his organization has undertaken to boost retention and create a positive work environment.

Episode Highlights:

• The great reshuffle and the quiet quitting phenomenon in the aftermath of the pandemic.

• Retaining talent as a pressing issue among nonprofit CEOs.

• The need for intentional efforts to improve employee experience and morale.

• The realization that previous leadership practices were insufficient for employee retention.

• Creating a comprehensive strategy to engage employees, enhance professional development, and improve retention.

• Specific tactics implemented by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation: transparent career pathing, merit increases, bonus programs, mentoring programs, career development learning systems, additional vacation days, extra holidays, and a no-meetings Friday afternoon policy.

• Conducting an annual anonymous employee engagement survey to gather feedback and address concerns.

• Implementing monthly town hall meetings to provide a platform for open dialogue and questions.

• Michael's personal approach to demonstrating dedication to retention and gratitude.

• Lunchtime chats as an opportunity for the CEO to connect with employees outside of the headquarters.

• The importance of fostering dialogue and learning from employees across the organization.

• Advice for new executive directors or CEOs in leading their management teams: insinuate oneself into conversations outside of the job role, gain exposure to different areas of nonprofit business, and have consistent enterprise-wide conversations with the senior team.

• The value of not feeling obligated to have all the answers as a leader but trusting subject matter experts in the team.

• Employee retention and the troubling trend of declining nonprofit support in the country as key concerns.

Retaining talent and promoting employee engagement are critical challenges faced by nonprofit organizations. Through intentional efforts and comprehensive strategies, leaders can create a positive work environment and foster a sense of loyalty among employees. This episode emphasized the importance of employee care, open dialogue, and leveraging the expertise of subject matter experts in addressing these challenges. By taking these steps, nonprofit leaders can ensure their organizations thrive and make a lasting impact on their mission.