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Episode #304: The Power of Soft Skills for Nonprofit Leaders with John Whitehead

Join host Sarah Olivieri on 'Inspired Nonprofit Leadership' as she dives into the crucial topic of soft skills with John Whitehead, a seasoned executive coach and corporate trainer. John brings over 40 years of senior leadership experience to the discussion, sharing insights on the importance of emotional intelligence, communication, and behavioral shifts for impactful leadership. Learn practical tips for improving your nonprofit's effectiveness, including how to manage board relationships and ensure fair compensation for staff. This in-depth will help you work smarter, not harder, and make a lasting impact without burning out.

Episode Highlights

04:21 The Importance of Thinking Time for Leaders

07:04 Defining Soft Skills

09:45 Emotional Intelligence and Communication

10:35 Practical Examples and Stories

12:10 Developing Leadership and Emotional Intelligence

19:09 Natural Leadership Qualities

20:02 Building Relationships and Continuous Learning

20:57 Communication Challenges in Leadership

22:06 Understanding Personal and Team Dynamics

27:15 Nonprofit Leadership Challenges

30:16 Fair Compensation in Nonprofits

33:48 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

Meet the Guest

John Whitehead is a facilitator, and Certified Executive Coach (ICF) who has over 40 years of senior leadership and management experience.

John has held senior operational positions with national organizations achieving significant recognition for his results. Along with his executive and leadership coaching practice, John is currently a Corporate Trainer at Okanagan College, British Columbia, Canada and was previously an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia, Okanagan.

John travels internationally including Europe and the Middle East facilitating leadership workshops. John describes himself as a continuous learner, motivated to learn more so that he can better help others achieve their goals. John’s clients have included senior and emerging leaders in both non-profit and for-profit organization.

John holds a master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University, Victoria, Canada along with various certifications in management and leadership

Connect with John:

Website https://johnkwhitehead.ca/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johwhi/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@JohnWhitehead_Executive_Coach