When I left the corporate world for the nonprofit sector, I thought I was bringing something the nonprofit work needed – business acumen. The spreadsheets. The strategy decks. The “run it like a business” discipline.
And in some ways, I was right. But what I didn’t expect was to discover that corporate America has as much to learn from nonprofits as nonprofits have to learn from businesses.
It’s time to flip the common misconception that nonprofits “aren’t run like businesses” on its head. Let me be clear: that myth is nonsense.
After decades of coaching leaders in both sectors, I can tell you that nonprofit leaders are running some of the most complex, emotionally intelligent, and mission-driven organizations in the world. And honestly? The for-profit world could use a little of that.
At its core, thinking like a nonprofit means running your business with heart and strategy in equal measure. In this episode, I’ll share 8 lessons I believe every corporate executive and every organization can learn from the nonprofit playbook.
The old models of hierarchy and profit-first management don’t fit anymore. The nonprofit sector has been quietly modeling what does work: empathy, collaboration, purpose, and meaning. If corporations truly learned from the lessons nonprofits have to teach, we’d all be better for it.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
- How Nonprofits Redefine Power – Discover why shared leadership beats top-down hierarchy and how diffused power can actually make teams stronger, more creative, and more accountable.
- The Secrets to Retention – Learn how meaning, agency, and belonging – not simply bonuses – keep nonprofit employees deeply engaged and loyal.
- Why Feelings Belong at Work – Explore how nonprofits create emotionally intelligent workplaces where vulnerability fuels connection, trust, and motivation rather than distraction.
- How to Manage in 3D – Find out what it means to truly know your team personally, professionally, and purposefully, and why this approach leads to higher performance.
- Lessons Corporate America Needs Now – I’ll break down 8 nonprofit superpowers that could transform how every business leads, listens, and inspires in today’s world.
KEY QUOTES:
- “I’m fed up with the holier-than-thou attitude of corporate America, as if all businesses are well run. Seriously? And I’m fed up with a lack of appreciation for how nonprofits do in fact operate and what there is to be gleaned from that for corporate leaders.”
- “A nonprofit exists for a purpose, a mission. All nonprofits exist to change the world in ways large and small.”
- “[S]hared leadership. Board and staff in partnership with one another to ensure that the organization fulfills its mission and moves in the direction of a visionary destination.”
- “[F]or the nonprofit sector, vision, right people on the bus, impact, retention, engaged staff who have a voice, who derive meaning from their work, who look to their leader for motivation. Yeah, that’s the ticket.”
RESOURCES:
- Nonprofit Leadership Lab
- Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership – 2nd Edition by Joan Garry
- FREE WORKSHOP: Let’s Build the Nonprofit Board of Your Dreams!
- FREE WORKSHOP: The 5 Practices of Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders
- Music by Jukebox the Ghost
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Sponsored By DonorPerfect
DonorPerfect provides nonprofits with powerful fundraising tools to drive success. Built on a foundation of integrity and innovation, the company prioritizes its clients over investors, cultivating a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and a commitment to making a difference. Check out their resource(s) below.
Sponsored By DRG Talent Consulting Experts
DRG is a talent advisory group helping nonprofit organizations to identify, attract, and nurture innovative, diverse leadership. Our team of 40+ experts serves over 200 nonprofits a year of all sizes and in various sectors across the country. Learn more at drgtalent.com.
Check out their resource(s) below.