We Are For Good Podcast Episode 159, Jonathan McCoy, Julie Confer, Becky Endicott

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Overview

We're reflecting on the lessons learned from our expert guests, what we see as industry trends and what we would go back and tell ourselves if we were leading organizations today. Get ready for an honest conversation that has takeaways for how to deepen relationships, scale your impact and lean into more meaningful work. [insert heel kick]

“This year was all about growth mindset for us. We all came into this place hungry that the things we didn’t know how to do, we were going to lean into and really learn.”

— Jonathan McCoy, CFRE, Co-Founder and CEO, We Are For Good

Episode Transcript

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Episode Overview

Do’s and Don’ts that we have learned throughout the last year that we would go back and tell ourselves (4:00)
Don’t preserve tactics, do fight for your vision (4:10)
The digital playground is real, and it’s here to stay. (6:00)
Be brave, not perfect. (10:50)
DEI hiring practices (13:30)
It’s time to be human, express who your organization is authentically, and place actual people in the center. (17:30)
Invest in yourself and your team (19:53)
We Are For Good Pro
Julie’s One Good Thing: We have something to learn from everyone. Lock arms with people around you (or halfway around the world!) (23:00)
Jon’s One Good Thing: It’s all about the ripple. It’s the power of believing everyone matters and the power of an abundance mindset coming together. (24:00)
Becky’s One Good Thing: It’s time to awaken your base. (26:00)

Powerful quotes

“This year was all about growth mindset for us. We all came into this place hungry that the things we didn't know how to do, we were going to lean into and really learn. Our hearts and minds have expanded this year in all different ways. I hope that's kind of the tone of this conversation today of the stuff we've learned.” -Jon

“I remember being in this in the seat of your house, you feel so much like you've got to preserve these things that have been historical to your organization all the time with events.” -Jon

“What are those rhythms that you're just so used to doing that they've lost sight of the real purpose and vision that you're trying to accomplish? Because if COVID taught us one thing is that we've got to hold loose to the tactics.” -Jon

“Don't fight to preserve the tactics, fight for your vision fight for that big dreamy vision that you want to do.” -Jon

“If you really think about having a gala, you're going to attract gala type donors. But if you have a huge vision that is going to change the face of your mission, beneficiaries, and community, think you're also going to attract visionaries who want to be a part of that.” -Becky

“We have got to level up our digital game, not only to expand our fundraising, but to expand into virtual community too.” -Becky

“When we lock arms, we are unstoppable because our passion is going to drive us to mission delivery.” -Becky

“I think as a young professional, these big fundraising asks, starting new programs from scratch, starting difficult conversations in a boardroom, even meeting with an intimidating donor can be super overwhelming.” -Julie

“Do not make your mission about you. Focus on being courageous, authentic and vulnerable, not perfect. We're making our missions about us instead of what the mission is.” -Julie

“I think when you're trying to reach for that level of perfection, you lose some of your soul.” -Becky

“This year we have gotten to sit under the tutelage of so many people that have gone before us that have been brave in sharing their stories, and it has stopped me in my tracks and made me really look at some of the conditioning that I came up in, in my career that I never really saw that was blocking our offices for becoming more diverse and inclusive for everybody involved.” -Jon

“Corporate culture can be toxic, and it can stifle community. So now is the time to break free. It's time to be human. It's time to express who your organization is authentically. And it's a place we need to create where people are always at the center.” -Becky

“Professional development, we believe, can take all our missions around the world to the next level. It may take you being the champion of this in your organization, whether you're a young professional, or the executive director.” -Julie

“We hear you, we know how busy you are. We believe one of the most worthy investments in your business strategies over the next year is this.” -Julie

“If you do anything today, just start a conversation with your team and those around you. How do you want to grow? What do you want to learn? What if we set personal and professional development goals and held them to as high of stakes as our fundraising goals? That is our challenge for you - start making that investment.” -Julie

“It's the power of the abundance mindset that there's enough to go around. There's enough relationships, there's enough people. And if the belief that everyone matters, everyone deserves your time, your attention, getting to know them, these relationships happen because of authentic relationships at each step.” -Jon