Unveiling A Leadership Journey of Impact and Values

11/03/23 • 31 min

Meet Art delaCruz, a CEO who's not just about numbers and metrics but believes in connecting with people, fostering trust, and making failure more terrifying than missing a goal. My chat with the Team Rubicon leader was a revelation.
His disruptive leadership style? He modestly acknowledged, ”'I'm flattered you've noticed.”
If you love a good tale, this episode is for you. Imagine a journey to leadership woven with stories of family values, a 22-year career as a Naval officer, and a profound commitment to developing individuals, not just managing roles. Art revealed how he discovered in the military the craft of leading young men and women, understanding they are not just cogs in the system but individuals whose growth and development matter. Art’s leadership core focuses on connecting with people, developing them, retaining them, and fostering trust.
Team Rubicon's mission is about tangible, impactful assistance to those affected by disasters and humanitarian crises. Art envisions Team Rubicon as more than a workplace; it's where you grow and make a positive impact.
What is Art’s leadership philosophy? He explained, “Practice what you preach.”
"Each year, I tell my teams: cut 25% of meetings, trim 25% of attendees, shorten meetings to 45 minutes. This seemingly small change compounds into a 25% reduction in wasted time, a valuable asset you can't purchase, even with unlimited funds. We create space for our people to excel while instilling the power of saying 'no' to wasted time throughout the organization."
As a fighter pilot turned CEO, Art values control where it matters most. His story isn't just about leadership; it's about culture and connection.
His advice to his younger self? “Savor the journey and ponder those unanswered questions for 30 minutes a day.”
Thank you, Art, for this captivating chat. You’re not just a CEO but a disruptor who's redefining the nonprofit CEO game with heart and a mission.
Don't miss this insightful episode!

Previous Episode

Unlocking Your Team’s Potential

Join me for a captivating interview with Will Warshauer, President & CEO of TechnoServe.

Will’s leadership journey began as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone. A chance encounter with a young boy named Bolo highlighted the impact of unequal opportunities, inspiring him to dedicate his career to international development and unlocking potential for people.

Will reflected on another pivotal career moment while leading a team in Pakistan. They faced delays and productivity issues. Frustration built as he pushed the team to work harder. Then, a complex issue arose, one the group was attached to, and Will experienced a lightbulb moment.

“The very same team, once resistant to change, transformed into dedicated problem solvers after being attached to a new complicated issue and taking ownership. It ignited my journey into adaptive management, understanding diverse needs, and unlocking untapped potential."

Tailoring his leadership to the unique needs and dynamics of different individuals and situations allowed Will to unlock their potential. He has used that lesson ever since.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Will learned to lead from behind. With 90% of TechnoServe’s global staff from the country where they work, Will realized that many were already accustomed to handling crises, from coup d’etats to natural disasters. Will leaned into empowering his team, granting them the autonomy to tackle challenges. The results were remarkable.

“A lot of my leadership during COVID was...really admiring and supporting our leaders around the world, who were less angst-filled and more action-oriented, and did a great job figuring out how we continue to deliver.”

During this time, Will also received feedback that his team sought inspiration from him as the CEO. In response, he initiated a weekly call where anyone could ask him about anything.

“People were incredibly frank and open with me, which helped me be the same with them. It was a real gift they all gave me and something I won't forget. It brought me a lot closer to people. There were a lot of hidden gifts in all the sadness and struggle during COVID for me.”

Lastly, Will explains why he wants “the need for [TechnoServe] to go away” through market-based approaches to fighting poverty. He issues a powerful call to action for more long-term measurement of development impact to determine what actually works and what doesn’t.

I hope you enjoy listening to this fantastic, insightful, and downright fun conversation with TechnoServe CEO Will Warshauer.

Next Episode

Leading Change with Active Resistance

In this captivating episode, we explore the compelling dynamics of leadership and the empowering concept of active resistance. My distinguished guest, Dr. Dorothy Nyambi, the President and CEO of the Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA), draws from her rich background as a medical doctor and her inspirational leadership journey.
Dr. Nyambi’s take on authentic leadership is a beacon of wisdom, emphasizing the significance of staying true to oneself, aligning actions with beliefs, and eschewing conformity to external expectations. Trust and active listening emerge as pivotal elements in her philosophy, bridging the worlds of community and organizational leadership. Her great words of wisdom:
“When you listen, do you hear, and does that translate? Do you go out and do something different? When you go into a meeting, you have an idea of how things should go, and you talk about your idea. Your focus is only to convince the other of your idea. That is not listening respectfully. Instead, listening respectfully is taking half your idea and half my idea and shifting issues together.”
Dr. Nyambi challenges conventional international development paradigms through a striking metaphor that distinguishes between organizations, likening them to "Toyotas" or "Teslas." This metaphor symbolizes the transformation needed within international NGOs, transitioning from the traditional North American-centric "Toyota" model to the innovative "Tesla" approach. This evolution encompasses profound changes in financial structures, power dynamics, and knowledge-sharing, embodying a sincere commitment to genuine localization.
Throughout this episode, I had the opportunity to hear her insights into the paramount importance of honoring local perspectives, standards, and agency in the realm of development work. Dr. Nyambi champions active resistance as a powerful force for catalyzing positive change, urging us all to challenge the prevailing status quo.
"Resistance," she contends, "is not merely a negative term; it represents an active engagement with issues. Demonstrated resilience is, for instance, a form of resistance and, importantly, a force for good."
Thank you, Dr. Nyambi, for this enlightening conversation.
I invite you to join us as we navigate the intricate facets of leadership, authenticity, and the promising trajectory of non-profit, locally-led development endeavors.