If there's one thing we can count on in humanitarian work, it's CHANGE!

We are constantly making transitions - and as leaders, even more so.

Whether it's managing a new team, a new project or just wanting to become a better leader, being intentional about how we transition can make a big difference in how we show up.

In this episode my guest and fellow coach Asel Ormonova provides ways you c...

We all know the nightmares. 

You go through a hiring process -- and think you've found the perfect candidate.

They have tons of great experience.  And they have a great network.

You can't wait for them to start working on your team!

Until... their true character is shown.  Perhaps they are late to work repeatedly.  Or maybe they don't trust anyone on the team.  Or maybe they cause a lot of ...

Have you heard of the TV show Undercover Boss?

It's where a senior manager for a large company disguises themselves and then works alongside their staff on the ground.

What usually happens is they find out all the things going right, but also those going wrong.

And what's interesting is the people on the ground know what's going wrong and know how to solve it - but don't have the power to ch...

"Man can be destroyed but not defeated." - Hemingway

Mehmet Gunes has not had it easy.

After the conflict broke out in Syria, he lost everything.

And so he had to look for a new livelihood in a new country.

Fortunately he had his poetry to help him persevere.

After facing failure after failure, he found his calling:  mixing music with learning.

In this episode he shares his journey and ho...

Whether it's due to a pandemic, working in a field office or across continents, remote work is a reality as a humanitarian leader.

But with working remotely comes a sense of distance - not just phsyically but mentally too.

So how do we close the gap and unite our teams given the challenges of remote work?

In this episode Chenai Kadungure and myself provide some ways you can unite your team d...

We sometimes forget that part of communication is silence.

It can be very powerful to be silent after someone speaks.

You can learn a lot.

And as a humanitarian leader, that can be very valuable.

Allowing space for our teams to express themselves, especially when working across cultures and differing linguistic backgrounds, is essential.

So how do we allow for silence, and why don't we do ...

There are plenty of reasons to not put a lot of effort into our appearance. 

Working behind a computer or a mask may make us think that "it doesn't matter" how we look.

But the thing is - it's not just about how you appear to others. It's also how you appear to yourself that matters.

In today's episode Chenai Kadungure and myself discuss aid worker fashion statements and how we look impacts ...

Hurricane damage.  Flooding.  Civil conflict. 

Whatever the disaster, as humanitarian leaders it is essential we know how to quickly adapt and do the best we can.

And that means being productive while also maintaining our sanity.

My guest today Jenelle Eli is an expert in adapting to extreme environments.  This in part is because her success in her role as Senior Director of Media Relations ...

Do you ever feel like you're not qualified for the position you're in?

If so you're not alone.

Especially for women, it is common to feel what is called "imposter syndrome" or that you don't really belong in your current role.

So how can you overcome it?

The key is awareness and knowing how to recognize it.  

In today's episode Chenai Kadungure and myself discuss what imposter syndrome is,...

If you listen to this podcast you already know how important leadership is in the humanitarian and international development space.

Great leaders can motivate others toward achieving a shared vision.

Not so great leaders can cause team members to work long hours, lose motivation and quit their roles.

So how do we become great leaders, the kind that we admire?

One way is by going WILD.

The ...