Lessons from Leaders

Maddy DeLone, former Executive Director of the Innocence Project,  talks about advice she gives other leaders  during the pandemic.  Maddy notes that when it seems that everything about this pandemic is new we remember that we have seen all these problems before: financial issues, board challenges, staffing issues.  During our conversation, Maddy brilliantly reminds leaders that they have lead thr...

"There is no book to read, there is no guide on how to lead a pandemic in 2020. I can't pull a book off the shelves and find out exactly what my organization needs this month to make them thrive. What that means is we are experimenting. We are trying. We are testing. And I think the risk taking will be worth it." This week I sit down with the intelligent and inspiring Fatima Goss Gr...

It is easy to get stuck in your own view and opinion. I say, try to step out, put yourself in the other person's shoes. Ask yourself, "Why may they be behaving that way? Could I communicate with them differently?" I like to remind myself there may be something, a circumstance going on, that could also motivate them to act in that way. This week I sit down with Salma Mazrui-Watt the...

Rob Radtke, CEO of  Episcopal Relief and Development, talks about taking the challenge of COVID-19 as an opportunity to focus on the people, the staff, and getting to know them and their work on a more personal level as sharing more of himself with the organization. Rob also shares with us his insights into what advice would he give his younger self - and it is about believing in himself and not p...

Friends, Some of us are seeing new developments, some of us remain in the transition. As things begin to open, I want to encourage you to make choices that are best for you and your team. Follow your comfort level and make decisions that feel right for your team moving forward. I released this episode just a few short weeks ago and the feedback was astounding. Did you know Covid-19 remains the &qu...

At the end of last week I shared a special episode to address today's current events. If you missed it check it out here!! https://youtu.be/b81dkwFGN6A It's a funny week here because we are celebrating one year in the Lesson's from Leader's podcast! If you would have asked me one year ago: What do you envision for this podcast, how do you want to feel after 365 days of this, wh...

 Serra Sippel, who began her career on the border with Mexico, working with migrant families and others, is now the CEO of CHANGE (Center for Health and Gender Equity). Serra and my conversation was recorded while we were 10 days into "stay at home" guidelines due to the corona virus. Serra talks about being a leader during dark times. She talks about having the courage to have a vision...

"How do we get to sustainable development? How do we lead?"  In this week's episode I sit down with the extraordinary, Pape Gaye, former CEO of Intrahealth, to talk about just that. His answer? Lead with excitement.  One thing I deeply value about Pape, amongst many things, is his genuine joy of leading and his curiosity about leadership. He takes a true interest in bettering his le...

We have been exploring the theme of authenticity on several podcast episodes and we visit the them again on this one. Sam Worthington, the CEO of Interaction, was our guest today and we spoke a lot about values, authenticity, vulnerability and being a leader.  Sam shared about leading from a place of values and how sometimes he has had to make tough decisions based on his values.  Part of what was...

On this episode, I have to take a moment to thank a previous guest, Shelley Goode who was kind enough to share this incredible leader with me, Jatrice Gaiter, EVP of Volunteers of America.  "I am cognizant, aware, and intentional about making the people that work with me feel like they have a voice, they are appreciated, and that they are the best at what they do, and that is why they are the...

I am SO excited to launch this weeks episode as it is our first international episode! Lessons From Leaders has had listeners across the world, however this is our first international guest, Dr. Rehana Ahmed.  Dr. Rehana Ahmed joins us from Pakistan. She is a licensed, medical doctor, dedicated to providing help, experience and education to women around her. Her journey has been uncertain and unea...

The first time I heard her story, I was moved to tears. Today I sit in honor to share her video with you. Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta, Executive Director of 3D program for Girls and Women, is with me today sharing her riveting background and journey to her position today.  “There are disadvantages, inequalities and injustices against women, particularly in India, I turned my focus to that.” Dr. Geeta Rao...

I am thrilled to be back with Laurie this week on Lessons from Leaders for Part two of her video and we are joined by Tom Dente, CEO of Humentum. These leaders shared in-depth, honest avenues to conquer fear and lead it to a greater lesson.  "This is not simple. It is not just embracing failure. There is an educational process that leaders have to do to de-stigmatize failure and make sure we...

This episode I sit down with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking.  Want to hear about kicking down doors? Mary Ellen talks about how she learned to kick down doors and make her own way. I am inspired by her work.  Her insights resonate for women leaders everywhere.  "I think that gender lens - the ability to now see a situation and question it - how would t...

Imagine being president and CEO of a successful, scaling company and asking those who work for you for their feedback on how you lead, how you support and how you show up.    What difference would that make in how you lead and your ability to scale your organization? Shamil Idriss, CEO of Search for Common Ground, does just that and shares with us what he's learned. "I think that people...

As a leader, can you imagine making a mistake on a great scale then choosing to share it with your partners, your team and your sponsors with complete transparency?   This week’s episode is with Bill Abrams, CEO of Trickle up, who shares the immense value of transparency specifically in the face of error.  “I have evolved over time. I have learned controlling information can be worse for a situati...

“I found myself being collaborative… nice… without expressing my own drive for MY vision of things… I found myself realizing I needed to be respected to bring about change.” This week we have a brand new episode of Lessons from Leaders with our guest Laurie Adams, the CEO of Women for Women International (WfWI). Laurie gives incredibly deep insights into the balance of women in leadership roles. ...

This week on Lessons from Leaders, Lynne sits down with Karl Hoffman, CEO of PSI. Karl has been with PSI since 2007. With experience in foreign services, specifically with work in Africa, he now works with global health. He sits down to share his insights into combatting financially costly mistakes, utilizing your team strengths and how impactful fear is.  "The more mistakes we encounter, on...

This week on Lessons From Leaders we sit down with Shelley Goode as she takes us through her experience in field transition, learning to pivot and how to bring disruption in a positive way. "Change is the engine to the future. Encourage people to feel trusting enough to be a part of that change." Things you will learn: - The secret into being disruptive with respect - How to honor the pa...

Lynne Gilliland of Gilliland Consulting sits down with Rick Santos of IMA World Health in this weeks session of Lessons from Leaders.  Rick Santos is senior advisor supporting the transition as Lutheran World Relief and IMA World Health combine operations. Previously, he served for nine years as the President and CEO of IMA World Health, where he led the organization through a period of transition...

You’ll want to set aside dedicated time for this information-packed interview with Tosca Bruno-van Vijfeijken. She reveals several ways to keep consistency, finding your passion through meaningful work and acknowledging the real motivators and incentives within herself. Tosca shares a powerful and shocking truth about the charitable sector that will leave you with internal reflection.  Lessons Fro...

Lynne Gilliland sits down with Judson Flanagan of IRC to discuss topics including his journey to leadership, experiences in the international development field, changing career ambitions and the importance for aligning values and the most fulfilling pieces to his current position.  Judson has twenty years’ experience leading talent management, global development programs and strategy. Key areas of...

This week on Lessons From Leaders we sit down with Carrie Hessler, CEO of Project Concern International and former director of Peace Corps. Carrie Hessler-Radelet is the President & CEO of Project Concern International (PCI). PCI is a global development organization working with families and communities to enhance health, end hunger and overcome hardship in 16 countries. She sits down to discu...