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.

Why self‑defined goals matter

We 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 point

Decide who you want to become, your “aspirational identity.” That clarity sets direction and motivation.

Breaking big aspirations into tiny, doable steps

Instead 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 pathway

What knowledge, resources, or skills do you need? Whether meditation, emotional intelligence training, journaling, or team check‑ins, create a personalized action plan.

• Keeping yourself accountable

Identify 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 matters

Goals with short bursts (like 90 days) help reduce delay and boost motivation. Remember kaw! Consistency builds confidence.

Boosting motivation through value

Adopt 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 reality

Yes, 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 practice

Kathy 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.

Leadership 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.

The 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 strategy

Character Driven Leadership Book Club

https://www.kathyarcher.com/cdlbookclub.html

Free Chapter of Character Driven Leadership

https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

Join Kimberley’s Newsletter: The Compassionate Executive

https://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-blocks

Join The Training Library for ongoing support and tools

https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html

Buy the book Character Driven Leadership for Women

https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

Follow Kathy on Instagram @kathydarcher

https://www.instagram.com/kathydarcher

​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.

1. Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Bleeps in roles signal growth opportunities, not setbacks.
2. Infinite Leadership Loop: Pause to sense body/stress cues, Ponder what’s beneath them, Pivot your perspective, then Proceed with aligned action.
3. Raise your character floor so you don’t pay the price of burnout. Even your worst days build resilience over time.
4. Post‑Traumatic Growth: let ick and missteps become opportunities to learn, not get stuck.
5. Leverage strengths and support: know your genius, lean in on others, and let your team shine.