Growing a business requires more than operational expertise, it demands personal, authentic growth as a leader.

In this minisode, Gillian sits down with Kelvin to explore what leadership really means, how it evolves as a business grows, and why staying calm under pressure is one of the most valuable leadership skills of all.

Drawing on personal experiences, from challenging management cultures to leading a growing fundraising agency, Kelvin shares practical lessons on building trust, empowering teams, and creating a culture where people can thrive.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why leadership is about serving your team, not yourself
• The importance of balancing head, heart and hands in leadership
• How trust forms the foundation of high-performing teams
• Why great leaders ask questions instead of simply giving answers
• How different situations require different leadership styles
• Lessons from poor leadership cultures and how they shape behaviour
• Why curiosity is more effective than criticism when performance dips
• How leaders can remain calm during periods of pressure or uncertainty
• The unique challenges of growing an owner-managed business
• Why knowing your strengths and your limitations is essential to scaling successfully
• The importance of surrounding yourself with people who are better than you in their specialist areas
• How delegation, culture and engagement become increasingly important as organisations grow.

Key takeaway

Leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about creating the environment where your team can find them on their own or with support. By leading with trust, authenticity, curiosity and calmness, leaders build cultures where people feel empowered to contribute, solve problems and perform at their best.

Listen & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague or fellow fundraiser. Subscribe to the TPF Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube via @profundraiseruk for more conversations on fundraising, leadership and organisational culture.

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Is face-to-face fundraising the right move for every charity? In this episode of The Professional Fundraiser Podcast, TPF leaders Kelvin and Paul tackle this massive question head-on. They explore how geographic reach, budget size, and brand resonance determine whether face-to-face (F2F) is truly a viable channel for your specific organisation.

• The Reality of Reach: Why some niche or localised causes might actually achieve a better return on investment by forming coalitions, utilising internal volunteer models, or focusing on alternative fundraising streams.
• Quality Over Volume: How to shift your mindset away from chasing empty sign-up numbers and focus instead on acquiring high-retention donors who genuinely care about your cause.
• Operational Readiness: How to assess whether your organisation, from your communications team right up to your board of trustees, is operationally ready to manage a face-to-face campaign.

Whether you are steering a massive national organization or a hands-on community charity, this conversation delivers an honest, strategic blueprint to help you decide if face-to-face fundraising is the right investment for your brand.

Connect with TPF:

• Instagram: @profundraiseruk
• Share the Episode: If you found these insights valuable, please share this episode with a colleague on LinkedIn!

Music used:

Intro Music: Song: Tollef - Time With You (feat. RVLE) [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/TWU
Watch: AT/youtube

Outro Music: Song: Raul Ojamaa - Hold On Me (feat. Maris Pihlap)
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/HOM
Watch: http://ncs.io/HOMAT/youtube

What makes people excited to come to work each day? In this minisode, TPF's People Manager, Angela, sits down with our Founder and CEO, Kelvin, to explore the real meaning of company culture and why it plays such a critical role in employee wellbeing, engagement, and business success.

Together, they unpack what culture looks like beyond office perks and social events, discussing how shared values, psychological safety, and inclusivity shape the everyday employee experience. Angela shares why workplace culture starts with how people feel when they walk through the door, while Kelvin explains the importance of creating an environment where every voice is heard and no idea is dismissed.

The conversation also highlights the role of diversity in building stronger teams, the value of celebrating everyday achievements, and practical ways organisations can foster a culture where people feel supported, respected, and empowered to contribute.

Whether you're a leader looking to strengthen your workplace culture or an employee interested in what makes great teams thrive, this episode offers valuable insights into creating an environment where people and businesses can succeed together.

Tune in to discover how a strong company culture can transform the employee experience and help organisations achieve lasting success.

Music used:

Intro Music: Song: Tollef - Time With You (feat. RVLE) [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/TWU
Watch: AT/youtube

Outro Music: Song: Raul Ojamaa - Hold On Me (feat. Maris Pihlap)
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/HOM
Watch: http://ncs.io/HOMAT/youtube