Author: Erika Bjune
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Challenging the Dehumanizing Language of Corporate Workplaces
“We need to leverage our human capital more effectively.” This is the kind of phrase that gets thrown around in corporate meetings all the time. It sounds professional and strategic, like the way leaders are supposed to talk about getting more from their teams. But listen to it again. Leverage our human capital. We’re talking…
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Why Letting Go of Control Is the Hardest Leadership Skill to Master
“To move from a ‘power over’ to a ‘power with’ approach means redefining power as shared, collaborative, and grounded in partnership rather than control.”– Organizing for Impact I’ve worked with many leaders who intellectually understand that controlling everything is unsustainable. They know that micromanagement stifles creativity, that centralizing decisions creates bottlenecks, and that their teams…
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Five Corporate Beliefs That Block Distributed Leadership (And What to Believe Instead)
Most leaders I work with genuinely want to create more collaborative, empowering workplaces. They’re drawn to the idea of distributed leadership, where authority and decision-making aren’t concentrated at the top but spread throughout the organization based on expertise and proximity to the work. However, when it comes time to actually let go of control and…
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Why Good Leaders Unknowingly Create Toxic Workplaces
A recent Monster survey revealed that 80 percent of American workers now describe their work environments as toxic workplaces, up from 67 percent just a year ago. Even more alarming, 93 percent say their employers aren’t supporting their mental health needs, and more than half would consider quitting over workplace toxicity. These numbers are staggering.…
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From Hierarchy to Agreements: What It Really Means to Distribute Power
The shift from hierarchy to agreements is one of the most fundamental transformations an organization can make. Picture this: You’re in a meeting, and your team has spent weeks researching a solution to a persistent problem. The data is clear, the approach is sound, and everyone who will be affected by the decision is aligned.…
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From Firefighting to Foresight: Escaping the Reaction Trap
Leaders in nonprofits know the rhythm of change and uncertainty all too well. Another funding crisis. Another unexpected staff departure. Another policy change, community need, or board priority dropped in your lap with a demand for an immediate response. It’s one fire after another, and before you know it, firefighting is the job. The problem…
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Transforming Anger into Fuel for Change
Few emotions grab hold of us as forcefully as anger. It rises quickly in moments of injustice, discrimination, or when the world feels hostile to what we value. Many of us were taught to view anger as something to control, something to suppress. Yet anger is also a signpost. It tells us that something matters…
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Meeting Our Self-Saboteurs, Reclaiming Our Strengths
When the heat is on, when the pressure is mounting, and the future looks uncertain, fear has a way of tightening its grip. It whispers caution, questions our abilities, and convinces us to avoid exactly the things that would help us grow stronger. Fear is sneaky that way. It feels protective, but more often than…
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Uncertainty as Opportunity: Leading Through the Unknown
The ground feels like it’s shifting beneath the nonprofit sector. Funding streams that seemed stable are disappearing overnight. Policies that once supported your work are being reversed or weaponized. The communities you serve are facing threats that stretch your resources in ways you never anticipated. This isn’t the manageable uncertainty of strategic planning or program…
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The Inner Work of Resilience
Democracy feels fragile right now. Funding streams are drying up while policies emerge that directly threaten the communities many of us serve. The news cycle has become relentless, with fresh crises seemingly arriving daily. When the external world feels this chaotic, inner-focusing practices like reflection, emotional regulation, and personal growth can seem like an indulgence.…