The Leadership We Need Now

Growth isn’t always the goal. Sometimes sustainability is. In this video, I talk honestly about what it means to right-size as a leader—when funding shifts, resources change, capacity shrinks, or the world no longer supports the scale you once built. Right-sizing isn’t a failure. It’s one of the hardest leadership responsibilities there is. This conversation explores:• Why expansion can become uns...

If you’re leading a team, an organization, a community—or even your household—you’re probably feeling it: the constant instability, the pressure to make the right decision, the fear of what could change tomorrow. In this video, I talk honestly about the emotional and nervous-system cost of leadership right now. We’re navigating rising costs, shrinking resources, shifting systems, and higher and hi...

Leadership isn’t always polished. It isn’t always confident. And it definitely isn’t always 100%.In this video, I talk honestly about what it looks like to show up when you’re tired, overwhelmed, recovering, or running on empty—especially in nonprofit and community-based work, where the stakes are high and the pressure never really lets up. We’re navigating funding uncertainty, shifting systems, g...

In this episode of The Leadership We Need Now, I’m tackling a topic many of us avoid: politics. Not party politics — people politics. Because the truth is, if you care about people, communities, dignity, and compassion, you can’t afford to sit on the sidelines anymore. After 20+ years in nonprofit leadership, I’ve watched countless social service leaders and helpers shy away from political convers...

When “helping” isn’t enough, kind leaders step into advocacy. In this candid conversation, Mark Phillips, CEO of Catholic Charities West Virginia, joins me to unpack how nonprofits can move from services to systems change—with authenticity, listening, and courage. We talk rural realities, SNAP and food security, donor dynamics, subsidiarity, and why “compassionate” does not mean “quiet.”If you lea...

Leadership support can take many forms — and it should. In this episode, I explore the different ways we show up for one another as leaders: through mentorship, championing, peer support, and co-mentorship. Drawing from over 20 years in nonprofit leadership and strategy, I share real stories about how others have helped me grow — and how I’ve tried to pay that forward. Whether you’re guiding someo...

Staff management can break your heart as you build your capacity as a leader. In this video, I talk honestly about the emotional and strategic weight of managing people—especially in mission-driven work. You’ll hear real lessons from my own leadership journey, including: The Reality of Managing People ( 0:41 – 2:24 ) Every Team Is a Science Experiment ( 2:21 – 3:18 ) Balancing People and Process (...

Staff management can break your heart—or build your capacity as a leader. In this video, I talk honestly about the emotional and strategic weight of managing people—especially in mission-driven work. You’ll hear real lessons from my own leadership journey, including:✅ The tension between empathy and accountability✅ How clear expectations protect both you and your staff✅ Navigating burnout, boun...

In this episode of The Leadership We Need Now, I’m exploring why creative, out-of-the-box thinking isn’t just a nice extra — it’s essential for meaningful leadership today. After more than 20 years in nonprofit and community work, I’ve seen how the “boxes” we’re given to work inside keep getting smaller. Funders, systems, and structures often decide what’s possible — even when they don’t truly und...

In this episode of The Leadership We Need Now, I’m talking about a new kind of leadership that doesn’t wait for permission: uninvited leadership. Too often, leadership has been reserved for the chosen few — people with titles, money, power, or insider access. They sit in rooms, make decisions for the rest of us, and decide how resources are spent or who gets help. But real change almost never star...

We're surrounded by advice, opinions, thought leaders, and “must-do” checklists. But when you're already overwhelmed, the sheer volume of voices telling you how to lead can make it harder to find the real support you need. This video is a reminder that leadership isn’t about keeping up with the loudest voices—it’s about finding clarity in the chaos. If you’ve ever felt discouraged trying t...

Leadership development shouldn’t be reserved for those with titles, degrees, or big budgets. This platform—The Leadership We Need Now—was created for the rest of us: nonprofit directors, managers, and quiet change makers navigating the messy middle of leadership. If you’re leading without formal support, training, or recognition, this space is for you. In this video, we explore why accessible lead...

In leadership, understanding others starts with understanding yourself. In this video, we talk about how self-awareness is the foundation of real leadership—especially when you’re navigating complex relationships and challenging environments. I’ll share why emotional intelligence, personality insights, and reflection aren't 'soft skills'—they're the essential skills we need right now.💬 Tell me in...

Leadership today demands more courage than ever. In a time when government decisions feel cruel, unnecessary, and destabilizing—and when so many helpers don’t even know if they’ll have jobs or contracts in a few months—leadership can feel impossibly heavy. But leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It's about standing steady when everything around you shifts. It's about moving forward with...

If you’re too busy doing the work to talk about the work, you’re not alone. Most nonprofit leaders, organizers, and helpers don’t have the time — or the staff — to stop and share the story behind what they’re building. You’re trying to keep the programs running, meet needs, hold your team together, and somehow still show up tomorrow. Telling the story? It feels like one more heavy lift you don't h...

Being a nonprofit leader today means more than delivering services—it means advocating for change. In this video, we talk about why helping isn’t enough anymore—and why advocacy is essential to real leadership. If you’ve ever felt like speaking up is too risky or 'too political,' you’re not alone. But staying silent also carries a cost. Helping people means standing with them and using your voice...

Too many women in leadership start their sentences with “I’m sorry” or “I don’t mean to be…” — even when they’re right, clear, and confident. It’s time to stop apologizing for being a strong, capable leader. In this video, I share:✅ Why women leaders often feel pressured to soften their voices✅ How self-deprecating language chips away at authority✅ Ways to communicate clearly without diminishin...

Avoiding conflict may feel safer — but it’s quietly holding you and your team back. In this video, I’m unpacking why conflict is actually a powerful leadership tool when handled with respect and clarity. You’ll learn how to shift from dodging disagreement to using it as a way to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration. What you’ll discover:✅ How conflict can build better leaders and st...

How do you know when it’s time to quit… or when to keep pushing through? In this video, I explore one of the hardest questions leaders face: Do I double down and work harder, or is it time to pivot, pause, or let go? We’ll talk about:✔️ The balance between instinct and rational decision-making✔️ How to separate fear and outside noise from true gut instinct✔️ Why quitting isn’t failure — and someti...

The Leadership We Need Now is hosted by Stacie Dei - nonprofit leader, coach, and founder of the Appalachian Innovation Collective. This podcast is for the people holding it all together: nonprofit directors, middle managers, consultants, and quiet change makers navigating the messy middle of leadership. Here, care is power, empathy is strategy, and kindness is clarity. This is compassionate leade...