Episode
When the Stakes Are High: Centering People in Tough Nonprofit Leadership Moments with Melissa Kessler
- Podcast
- Nonprofit Mission: Impact
- Published
- Sep 9, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2786
- Processing state
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Summary
In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization. how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide. E pisode highlights: 💬 "It's a Communications Problem" – Or Is It? [00:09:27] – 🔁 Communications Is Change [00:12:29] – 💔 Communicating Layoffs with Humanity [00:14:30] – 🧠 Leaders Are Always Ahead of the Curve [00:18:24] – 🔄 Defining "Internal" vs. "External" in Complex Systems [00:19:32] – 🧩 Communication Is Not Strategy [00:20:57] – 💬 Who Gets Told What—And When [00:22:55] – ⚠️ Managing With Compassion Through Uncertainty [00:24:54] – 👥 The Impact on Those Who Remain [00:30:15] – 🌅 Ending Well: The Missing Ritual [00:33:15] – 🪦 Organizational Death and Grief [00:35:55] – 🧘♀️ Leading in Chaos: Self-Care Is Strategic [00:42:15] – 📝 Your Crisis Plan Should Include Snacks [00:44:04] – Guest Bio: Melissa George Kessler is a consultant and executive coach working in the areas of strategy and organization effectiveness through her independent practice, Organizations + Communications, and with partner firms. She began her career as a reporter and editor; later ran the communications shops for two agriculture associations; and has worked extensively in trade policy and education. Over a 20 year career, Melissa has done work with non-profit and private-sector partners throughout the urban and rural United States and in Asia, Africa and Latin America. She also has spoken at various OD conferences an…