Staff management can break your heart as you build your capacity as a leader. In this video, I talk honestly about the emotional and strategic weight of managing people—especially in mission-driven work. You’ll hear real lessons from my own leadership journey, including:
No one is perfect at managing others. Leadership is messy and constantly changing. Leaders bring their personal lives into work (stress, distractions, emotions), and so do staff.
Each project, team, or day is unpredictable. Different people + different circumstances = different results. Leaders must give themselves grace and focus on doing the right thing, not perfection.
Leaders juggle two responsibilities: The human side (emotions, relationships, compassion). The process side (contracts, outcomes, programs, funders). You can control process outcomes, but you cannot fully control people.
Knowing when you lack clarity and focusing on regaining “sea legs.” Communicating openly about personal struggles without making excuses. Supporting staff through struggles and sharing responsibilities. Hard conversations are necessary, though uncomfortable.
Some people may not be right for the job — and leaders must face that reality. Compassionate leaders often resist conflict, but conflict management is essential. Safe spaces for honest talk are critical to healthy teams.
Leaders must consider how feedback is given vs. received. No one is perfect in conflict or feedback delivery — sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
The Weight of Leadership Responsibilities (10:36 – 12:20)
Leaders juggle contracts, deadlines, and high workloads. If one staff member under performs, others notice and it impacts morale. Balancing compassion with accountability is a constant act.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to staff management. Relationships, communication, and vulnerability are the ongoing tools. Leadership is an experiment, not a formula.
