From Burnout to Balance: Leading With Character in Nonprofits

17/7/2025

From Burnout to Balance: Leading With Character in Nonprofits

Episode # 114

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How This Episode Will Support You

In this episode, Kimberley McKenzie and Kathy Archer explore how character—your daily behavior and ethics—trumps simply knowing your values. If you’ve ever felt misaligned in leadership, this is the encouragement you’ve been waiting for.

Why Character-Driven Leadership Matters to You

In this warm and conversational episode, Kimberley and Kathy dig into how women nonprofit leaders often neglect defining their character, end up burned out, and feel stuck responding to crisis rather than leading with purpose. They show that character isn’t just aspirational values—it’s what others experience from you day to day.

Through real stories—like the HR decision to gently notify someone ahead of a layoff—you’ll learn what happens when you pause, trust your intuition, and follow your moral compass. The conversation explores how leading from emotion, integrity, and authenticity isn’t a liability—it brings safety, trust, and a sense of flow to your team. You’ll walk away with practical ideas to define your moral “hills you’ll die on,” build alignment between your ethics and actions, and let your natural strengths shine in leadership, all while protecting yourself from burnout and embracing your identity fully.

Key Takeaways

Character is not just your values—it’s your reputation and daily conduct
Defining your “aspirational ceiling” and “behavioral floor” builds trust
Use the Leadership Pause to check if your actions align with your values
Notice when something feels icky—it’s your body telling you you’re misaligned
Embrace emotional intelligence—recognize and name feelings, don’t shut them off
Modeling vulnerability invites psychological safety and stronger teamwork
Personal and professional growth are one journey—authentic leadership comes from integrating them

Powerful Quotes

“We are measured and judged by our worst days.” — Kathy Archer

“If you’re in a leadership role and you look behind you and nobody’s following, you’re just going for a walk.” — Kimberley McKenzie