How can leaders of social impact organizations build equitable pipelines of leadership to sustain their missions? That is our central question this week as Carrie Fox sits down with Christina Greenberg, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of diversity-focused talent management firm Edgility Consulting. It’s a question that begs us to examine all our best practices for succession planning and talent development to ensure organizations stay true to their values over time.
When most organizations start planning for succession, it is often too late, Greenberg explains. Succession planning must start years in advance with strategic talent management - identifying core competencies for roles at every level and systematically developing staff. Just as we plan for communications risk scenarios, leaders should have multiple potential successors identified by giving them concrete experiences to demonstrate readiness. With an intentional focus on competency gaps and development areas, organizations can build diverse benches of potential leadership.
How can social impact organizations close skills gaps in order to nurture well-rounded leaders? Where are potential successors today, and what experiences do they need to get them ready? How can succession planning apply to all levels? True succession planning requires looking beyond ego to the future health of the institution and its social mission. As Greenberg says, “What I would just tell people about this process is it’s hard and daunting and scary, but just take it in bite-sized pieces."
We just scratch the surface of Christina’s expertise in nonprofit succession planning and talent development. The bottom line: building an equitable leadership plan for the long term requires leading with values first, and letting the right people with the right skills rise to meet them. Our great thanks to Christina and Edgility Consulting for their partnership in this conversation!
- (00:00) - Welcome to Mission Forward
- (00:34) - Introducing Christina Greenberg
- (10:16) - The Boomerang CEO
- (18:03) - Succession
- (25:02) - What are the Next Steps?
- (28:11) - A final note of Hope
- (29:28) - Sponsor: Edgility Consulting
Today's show is brought to you by Edgility Consulting, your compass for building equitable organizations where all staff thrive. Their talent management experts empower you to break free from traditional hiring, compensation, and talent management norms that often perpetuate inequality and prevent you from hiring and retaining great staff.
Put your values to work, act on equity, visit
Edgility Consulting and talk to a consultant about upgrading your talent systems to attract and retain top talent and ensure equity at your organization today.
What is Mission Forward with Carrie Fox?
Mission Forward: An award-winning podcast for communicators on a mission.
Hosted by social impact expert and B Corp leader Carrie Fox, each episode of Mission Forward explores the power of communications. With just the right mix of practical and thought-provoking content, we take on the issues that matter to you, and that support your work as a communicator for change.
Together, we talk through topics that you’re likely experiencing right now: from how to tackle tough conversations; to how to best challenge stereotypes; to how we can build bridges across the issues that divide us. If you’re working to become a more inclusive and thoughtful communicator, there’s nothing holding you back—except you.
About Season 10
What does it mean to lead with purpose in a world that feels increasingly divided? How do we stay true to our values while navigating uncertainty? And what if the most pressing questions of our time have answers hidden in the wisdom of those already pushing for change?
Welcome to Mission Forward, where each week Carrie Fox brings you into conversation with the thinkers, builders, and changemakers reshaping the way we lead.
This season, we explore the deeper questions of leadership—the kind that don’t come with easy answers. We’ll challenge the idea that leadership is about what we achieve, rather than what we give. We’ll ask what tomorrow’s historians might say about the choices we make today. We’ll break down the dangers of working in silos and why collaboration is the key to progress. And we’ll examine why listening—truly listening—is one of the most powerful tools a leader can wield.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of responsibility as a leader, if you’ve ever wondered how to turn intention into impact—this is your show. Because leadership isn’t meant to be a solo act.
New episodes drop starting March 13. Subscribe now, and let’s move forward—together.
* About the Host (https://www.missionforward.us/about-carrie)
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