The Hive Collective Podcast: Shifting Power in Nonprofits

In this episode, Beth Ellen Holimon hosts Shagun Sethi and Jasmine Anouna for a thought-provoking discussion on the power of listening, trust, and shared leadership in organizational transformation. The conversation highlights the importance of creating spaces for radical honesty and collaboration, emphasizing that meaningful change starts with community engagement and listening to diverse perspectives.
Shagun shares experiences from global leadership initiatives, demonstrating the value of amplifying voices from different contexts. Jasmine reflects on building trust within teams through consistency, deep listening, and transparency, noting the critical role of integrating professional and personal identities in creating inclusive work cultures.
Together, they explore challenges in shifting power dynamics, avoiding performative practices, and reimagining systems for authentic impact. Through their insights, listeners are encouraged to redefine leadership and foster equity through intentional relationships and innovative approaches to organizational culture.

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Hivecollective.net
Don't forget to subscribe to The Hive Collective Podcast!

In this episode, we dive into the world of improv with Harrison Brookie, the Executive Director of Alchemy Comedy Theater. Harrison shares his journey into improv, starting from a theater requirement in college to leading a successful comedy theater in Greenville, South Carolina. He explains the essence of Alchemy Comedy, highlighting their weekly shows, classes, and corporate training programs.
Harrison's journey began with a simple requirement: participate in a theater production during his time as an education major at Clemson University. Seeking the least demanding option, he stumbled upon improv. What started as a convenient choice turned into a passion that has now spanned two decades.
Alchemy Comedy Theater, named after the concept of transforming the mundane into something precious, offers a range of classes from beginner to advanced levels. These classes teach students how to create something out of nothing, turning audience suggestions into comedy gold. The theater also engages in corporate training, demonstrating the practical applications of improv in the workplace.
Harrison delves into how improv skills are relevant to management and working with people. He emphasizes the importance of the "Yes, and" principle, where accepting and building on ideas fosters creativity and collaboration. This mindset encourages teams to explore the potential in every idea, leading to innovative solutions that no one person could have conceived alone.
One notable concept Harrison shares is the idea of adding "1% weird" to interactions. This principle encourages participants to spot and highlight unique, interesting aspects of a situation, making interactions more engaging and memorable. This approach not only makes business processes more enjoyable but also helps in identifying patterns and generating creative solutions.
Harrison also discusses the importance of ensemble thinking in improv, which parallels effective teamwork in any organization. He draws from his experience as a high school U.S. history teacher, illustrating how improv techniques enhance storytelling and engage students. He highlights the value of collaboration, where multiple perspectives and contributions lead to a richer and more dynamic outcome.
In a nonprofit context, Harrison explains how improv principles can be applied to team meetings and problem-solving. By fostering a culture of openness and humor, nonprofits can tackle serious issues like hunger with a fresh perspective. He encourages leaders to take themselves less seriously, allowing for a more relaxed environment where creativity can flourish.
Finally, Harrison underscores the role of leadership in creating a trusting and collaborative environment. He shares an anecdote about a CEO learning to accept feedback, illustrating the impact of genuine openness and the willingness to let others take the reins.
Tune in to this insightful episode to learn how the art of improv can transform your approach to leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving in the nonprofit sector.
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**Credits:**
Guest: Harrison Brookie, Executive Director of Alchemy Comedy Theater
Host: Beth Ellen Holimon
Podcast: The Hive Collective Podcast
Find us on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-ellen-holimon-cfre/
For more information about Alchemy Comedy Theater, visit: http://alchemycomedy.com/
@Beth Ellen Holimon
https://hivecollective.net

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Hivecollective.net
Don't forget to subscribe to The Hive Collective Podcast!

Episode 3 features Jill Lalonde, executive director of OneVillage Partners working in Sierra Leone, and Harriet Spears, leading partnerships for Women's Global Education Project. With podcast host Beth Ellen Holimon, they discuss community-centric fundraising and its role in fundraising for international organizations, how to engage your board in shifting power, and the hard questions we have to ask ourselves as leaders when shifting power.

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Hivecollective.net
Don't forget to subscribe to The Hive Collective Podcast!

Beth Ellen interviews Alison Carlman about how her Global Giving team recently stopped one of their seemingly successful programs cold because it was not achieving their equity goals fast enough. They used human-centered design to co-create a new model that is more equitable and so much more. You are gonna want to hear this!

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Hivecollective.net
Don't forget to subscribe to The Hive Collective Podcast!

In this episode of The Hive Collective Podcast, we sit down with Sumona Majumdar, the CEO of Earth Island Institute, to explore her journey and the significant changes she has introduced since taking on the role in March of last year. Sumona shares the thoughtful approach she took in her initial months, starting with a two-day retreat designed to foster shared values and build strong relationships within her team.

Sumona discusses how these retreats, held every four to five months, were instrumental in creating an environment of trust and open communication. The process involved engaging activities that allowed team members to connect on a personal level, which paved the way for honest discussions about values and future goals.

A particularly memorable activity was envisioning the impact of their work seven generations into the future, as well as reflecting on their ancestral histories. This exercise helped team members connect on a deeper level, acknowledging their diverse backgrounds while uniting around a common vision for the future.

Central to their transformation was the implementation of collective governance. Earth Island Institute adopted values such as community, adaptability, justice, equity, and power sharing, which have become the guiding principles for their decision-making processes. They established decision-making circles for critical areas like compensation, hiring, and DEI, involving a broader range of staff in these decisions to distribute the leadership load more equitably.

Sumona also reflects on the challenges of this transition, including the initial excitement and the practical concerns of managing increased workloads. Despite some ongoing adjustments, the shift to collective governance has been a positive step towards a more inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Tune in to hear more about how Earth Island Institute is navigating these changes and the impact of shared values on its organizational culture.

Connect with us:

• Visit Earth Island Institute: https://www.earthisland.org/
• Visit our website: Hive Collective
• Follow Beth Ellen Holimon on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-ellen-holimon-cfre/

@Beth Ellen Holimon

The Hive Collective is a strategic partner to nonprofits and NGOs all over the world. Reach out to us at [email protected]
Hivecollective.net
Don't forget to subscribe to The Hive Collective Podcast!