Most of us are hoping there will be significant changes in the humanitarian and international development sectors in the next few years.

You're probably already familiar with some of the wish list: localization, decentralization, greater equity and inclusiveness.

This sounds great, but how likely is it to happen?

And what role can we as leaders play to help make it happen?

In this episode I...

You hear me talk a lot about coaching.

But I haven't really explained the differences between formal coaching and informal.

Today I've invited a guest to discuss the differences, benefits for your team and some practical ways to start.

Elena Sancho has 20 years experience in the aid sector and is now a certified professional coach.  She shares her journey in finding coaching, and how she has...

What's the biggest adventure you've ever had?

For my guest today, it's hard to choose.

Birgit Hermann has run marathons with penguins, biked through Africa and traveled all over the world.

Her love of nature as well as her adventures has shaped the way she leads and how she's now inspiring others to follow their dreams and get out of their comfort zone.

One tool that has helped Birgit becom...

Most of us can recall examples of when a leader or someone we know brought to attention a policy, way of doing things or something someone said that overpowered someone else or a group of people.

And we ALL have opportunities to speak up for those who have less power than we do - whether it's someone of another gender or race or a beneficiary.  

But how do we speak up in a way that is product...

You may not even be aware you are doing it.

How much your everyday language - and the WAY you talk about situations, impacts the way you lead yourself and others around you.

Language that makes things seem extreme.

And in the humanitarian and development world, there is PLENTY to exaggerate.

"The donor always delivers proposals late."

"The community is never on time."

"My team doesn't com...

We all know them.

Leaders who are not aware how their behavior impacts their team.

They have no idea that they frequently put the team down or start yelling for no apparent reason.

The kind of leader we all want to avoid and avoid becoming.

One of the best ways to become the leader you admire is by being aware of how your behavior is being perceived by others.

In other words, becoming more...

Some of you have asked for a peek behind my coaching course - how is it run?  How do we ensure students complete the course successfully?

In response I interviewed Maureen Murigi, my Admin Support Manager for the course.  Maureen shares what the course looks like from her perspective - and the challenges she faces while making sure students have what they need to finish successfully.

If you...

Many of you have asked whether or not you should take my digital coaching course, which teaches a "coaching leadership style."

What I tell aid workers is that this way of leading is the future for the aid world, or at least the future we envision - a more inclusive, localized approach.  

But you don't have to take my word for it.  Today's guest Leah Marie Lucas is one of my former students an...

Recently I had a group of 38 students from CRS Uganda take my coaching course.

I asked a panel of four (Olive D'Mello, Florence Ayo, Dismus Arineitwe and Emmanuel Obuko) to answer some questions about what changed for them since taking the course.  You'd be surprised!

Here are a few things they mention:

• Using coaching as a way to learn with their team (reflection)
• Creating an empowering c
...

Today's guest has really done it.

He has taken what he learned about coaching and created a culture within his organization that has resulted in a more proactive team.  This in turn has allowed him to grow his organization and focus on the important.

In short, Salif Kanoute, President of DECLIC NGO in Senegal, has gotten out of his own way.

This is not easy as a leader - we often think our t...