The New For Purpose CEO

Michelle Cutler and Danielle Ballantine

Ever wondered what happens when CEOs of purpose-driven organisations sit down together for a chat? With 30 years’ of combined experience in the for-purpose space, we knew these conversations should be stored and shared!! We tackle the real questions: How do you build and sustain a thriving organisational culture? How do you manage relationships with your board and your chair? How do you preserve your peace of mind while carrying the weight of responsibility of being a for-purpose CEO. For those who are new to the role or eyeing it on the horizon, the importance of a support network cannot be overstated. This is why this podcast was created - to be a valuable source of information and support, offering ideas and insights you can implement in your organisation immediately. We share the stories and challenges CEOs tell each other when we get together - and chat through how to address issues unique to NFP CEOs in every episode. Wherever you are in your NPF CEO journey, there’s something here for you. We are about our community supporting each other. Creating more impact and driving better outcomes for the sector and those that we serve is what we are all about. LINKS Website: https://thenfpceo.com.au/ This podcast is recorded on country of the Cameraygal and Darramuragal Peoples.

  1. 2d ago

    From Tension to Trust. The Chair/CEO Relationship

    The relationship between a not-for-profit CEO and their board chair is arguably the most important leadership relationship. When it's working well, it creates trust, clarity and better governance. When it's under strain, it can affect decision-making, organisational culture, executive performance and mission impact. In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle unpack the realities of the Chair–CEO relationship, exploring why tension develops, how CEOs can identify early warning signs, and practical strategies for strengthening one of the most critical partnerships in nonprofit leadership. Whether you're a first-time CEO, an experienced executive, a board chair or a director, this episode offers practical advice for creating a productive, respectful and high-performing governance relationship. In this episode you'll learn:Why the Chair–CEO relationship is the foundation of effective nonprofit governance.The common causes of tension between CEOs and board chairs.How unresolved conflict impacts organisational culture, leadership teams and board effectiveness.Why most Chair–CEO challenges are situational rather than personal.How CEOs can identify the real source of conflict before it escalates.The importance of regular communication and structured CEO–Chair check-ins.How to have difficult conversations without damaging the relationship.Why focusing on issues—not personalities—leads to better governance outcomes.Strategies for working with an overcommitted board chair.Practical advice for first-time CEOs building relationships with their board.How experienced CEOs can support first-time board chairs while maintaining good governance.What to do when your board publicly challenges your proposal or business case.Why curiosity and inquiry are more effective than defensiveness in the boardroom.How to receive criticism professionally and move discussions towards constructive outcomes.Why understanding your Chair's communication and leadership style matters.How to build trust over time through consistency, transparency and strategic alignment. The most effective leaders avoid making disagreements personal. Instead, they remain focused on organisational outcomes, ask thoughtful questions and work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit the organisation. When CEOs approach difficult governance conversations with curiosity rather than defensiveness, they strengthen both their leadership and the effectiveness of their board. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  2. Jul 15

    Resilience: How to Thrive Under Constant Pressure with Dr Alison Taylor

    What keeps non-profit CEOs going when the pressure never seems to stop? In this episode, we sit down with leadership researcher and resilience expert Dr Alison Taylor to explore one of the most critical capabilities for today's nonprofit leaders: resilience. From funding uncertainty and workforce shortages to regulatory reform, board expectations and growing community demand, not for profit CEOs are leading in an environment where constant change has become the norm. Dr Taylor explains why resilience is something you're born with AND a leadership capability that can be intentionally developed. Together, we unpack the practical habits, mindsets and systems that help leaders remain effective, make better decisions under pressure and sustain their wellbeing over the long term. Whether you're a CEO, executive or emerging leader, this conversation offers practical strategies to move beyond survival mode and build resilience that lasts. In this episode, we discuss:Why resilience is a capability, not just a personality traitThe four pillars of leadership resilienceHow to build and protect your resilience reservesThe role of trust in reducing leadership stressHow to build a strong support network as a leaderMoving from reactive leadership to intentional resilienceWhy the skills that get you into a CEO role aren't always the ones that sustain you Connect with The NFP CEO PodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with another nonprofit leader who could benefit from the conversation. Strong organisations need resilient leaders—and resilience is something we can all continue to build. LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  3. Jul 1

    How to Develop an Effective Advocacy Strategy

    Many NFP leaders know they should be influencing government, yet too often advocacy becomes reactive, driven by crises, or focused on raising problems rather than presenting solutions. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle are joined by advocacy strategist Louise Yablsey to unpack what effective advocacy really looks like and how CEOs can build long-term influence with governments, departments and decision-makers. Whether you're a CEO of a service provider, a peak body or a growing for-purpose organisation, this conversation provides practical advice on creating an advocacy strategy that delivers impact. In this episode, you'll learn: Why advocacy is a core responsibility for many not-for-profit CEOs and not an optional extra.The distinction between advocacy and activism.Why the most effective advocacy strategies focus on influencing a small number of key decision-makers.How to move beyond simply highlighting problems and instead present solutions government can act on.Common advocacy mistakes that limit influence and waste valuable resources.How CEOs can build trusted relationships with ministers, MPs, advisers and senior public servants.Why advocacy should be embedded across your organisation's communications, not treated as a standalone activity.Practical ways boards can support advocacy without becoming involved in day-to-day implementation.Meaningful advocacy metrics that go beyond counting meetings and submissions.How to measure influence, build credibility and strengthen your organisation's reputation over time. Listen if you're: A CEO or executive in the not-for-profit or for-purpose sector.A board director wanting to better understand advocacy governance.Leading an organisation through policy reform or funding change.Building relationships with government or departmental leaders.Looking to develop a more strategic and effective advocacy approach. Subscribe to The NFP CEO for practical conversations on leadership, governance, strategy and the real-world challenges facing today's not-for-profit CEOs. Louise Yabsley - Watt Advocacy & Communications Complimentary Advocacy Template to get you started: So where do we start? Creating an effective advocacy strategy, not just a to do list - Watt Advocacy & Communications Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  4. Jun 24

    Board Papers: The 3 Mistakes CEOs Keep Making

    Board papers are one of the most important tools a CEO has to support effective governance. Yet they're also one of the most common sources of frustration between CEOs and boards. In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle unpack the three biggest complaints directors raise about board papers and share practical strategies CEOs can use to improve board reporting, strengthen board relationships, and drive better governance outcomes. If you've ever heard feedback that your board papers are too long, unclear, too detailed, or not strategic enough, this episode is for you. In This Episode1. Unclear Purpose and Decision RequestsOne of the most common director frustrations is reading an entire board paper and still not knowing: Why they're receiving itWhether a decision is requiredWhat action they need to takeWhat feedback is being sought A consistent board paper template can dramatically improve board engagement and decision-making. 2. Reporting Activities Instead of InsightsMany CEO reports become lengthy lists of meetings, activities, and operational updates. The discussion explores how CEOs can structure reporting around strategic priorities and strategic pillars, helping directors connect operational activity to organisational outcomes and long-term strategy. 3. Hiding Risks in the DetailTrust between a CEO and board can quickly erode when directors feel important information is buried in lengthy reports. Rather than avoiding bad news, effective CEOs demonstrate leadership by showing that risks have been identified, assessed, and are actively being managed. Takeaways for CEOs✔ Make the purpose of every board paper clear from the first page. ✔ Tell directors exactly what you need from them - decision, discussion, feedback, or noting. ✔ Move beyond activity reporting and provide strategic insights. ✔ Structure CEO reports around strategic priorities rather than chronological updates. ✔ Report risks openly and explain how management is responding. ✔ Focus on helping directors govern strategically rather than drawing them into operational detail. ✔ Remember that effective board papers build trust, improve governance, and create better board conversations. Download our free resource: NFP CEO Resources: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  5. Jun 17

    Strategic Opportunities - Choosing what matters

    The power of no. As a not-for-profit CEO, opportunities come at you from every direction—boards with big ideas, funders with new initiatives, partnership proposals, and emerging community needs. The challenge isn't finding opportunities; it's deciding which ones deserve a yes. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle unpack a practical decision-making framework to help leaders assess strategic opportunities with confidence. Rather than relying on instinct, optimism, or pressure from others, they explore how CEOs can evaluate opportunities through multiple lenses to determine whether they truly advance the organisation's purpose and strategy. Sometimes the most strategic leadership decision is saying no. In This Episode Why CEOs and boards often default to saying "yes"The hidden costs of pursuing every opportunityThe difference between asking "Can we do this?" and "Should we do this?"How to create a structured framework for strategic decision-makingWhy saying yes to one thing always means saying no to something elseThe role of strategic fit, culture, capability, and stakeholder impactWhen collaboration may be a better option than ownershipWhy pilots can be a powerful way to test opportunities safelyHow to distinguish between opportunities that propel the organisation forward and those that become anchors Access to the NO-FRAME matrix: NFP CEO Resources: Empowering Nonprofit Leaders Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  6. Jun 10

    Are Your People Running On Empty?

    Are your people disengaged or simply overwhelmed? In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle explore why employee engagement, workplace resilience and staff retention are increasingly challenging in the not-for-profit sector. Drawing on research about the "quiet erosion of hope at work", they discuss how funding pressures, increasing demand, compliance requirements and resource constraints impact workplace culture. The conversation examines the critical role of middle managers in shaping employee experience, why engagement is often a team-level issue rather than an organisation-wide problem, and what CEOs can do to build resilient, high-performing teams. In this episode: Employee engagement and workplace culture in not-for-profitsThe link between leadership, resilience and staff retentionPeople leave managers, not organisationsSupporting middle managers to lead effectivelyManaging workload, burnout and capacity constraintsCreating psychological safety and feedback culturesCommunicating priorities during organisational changeBuilding stronger teams through recognition and connection Purpose attracts great people to the for-purpose sector, but purpose alone isn't enough. CEOs who invest in leadership capability, clear communication and manager support create workplaces where people can thrive, even in challenging environments. Article referenced in episode: The Quiet Erosion of Hope at Work | Everything DiSC Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

  7. Jun 3

    What is Psychological Safety with Fay Calderone

    Psychological safety is everywhere right now, but what does it actually mean for CEOs and leaders in the for-purpose sector? In this episode, Michelle speaks with workplace law expert, author, and advisor Fay Calderone about why psychological safety has become a critical leadership, governance, and legal responsibility. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in workplace law, compliance, and culture, Fay unpacks the practical realities of creating workplaces built on trust rather than fear. Together, they explore what psychological safety looks like in high-pressure environments, why wellness programs alone won't solve the problem, and what leaders can do when workload, change, uncertainty, and vicarious trauma are part of everyday work. In this episode:What psychological safety actually means in practiceThe difference between workplaces driven by fear and those built on trustWhy workload, change, role clarity, and communication matter more than everHow CEOs can create safer cultures without adding another overwhelming initiativeThe growing governance and compliance obligations around psychosocial riskLessons from real workplace cases that every NFP leader should understandWhy boards need to be part of the conversation too If you're leading through uncertainty, managing workforce pressures, or trying to build a stronger culture, this episode offers practical insights you can apply immediately. Guest: Fay Calderone, author of Broken to Safe and workplace law specialist helping organisations build respectful, inclusive, and psychologically safe workplaces. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn Website: thenfpceo.com.au Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn

About

Ever wondered what happens when CEOs of purpose-driven organisations sit down together for a chat? With 30 years’ of combined experience in the for-purpose space, we knew these conversations should be stored and shared!! We tackle the real questions: How do you build and sustain a thriving organisational culture? How do you manage relationships with your board and your chair? How do you preserve your peace of mind while carrying the weight of responsibility of being a for-purpose CEO. For those who are new to the role or eyeing it on the horizon, the importance of a support network cannot be overstated. This is why this podcast was created - to be a valuable source of information and support, offering ideas and insights you can implement in your organisation immediately. We share the stories and challenges CEOs tell each other when we get together - and chat through how to address issues unique to NFP CEOs in every episode. Wherever you are in your NPF CEO journey, there’s something here for you. We are about our community supporting each other. Creating more impact and driving better outcomes for the sector and those that we serve is what we are all about. LINKS Website: https://thenfpceo.com.au/ This podcast is recorded on country of the Cameraygal and Darramuragal Peoples.

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