Are You Walking the Talk? Values Alignment in Nonprofits with Rickesh Lakhani

The Small Nonprofit

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In a world where trust is paramount, how can small nonprofits ensure they're not just talking the talk, but walking the walk?

In this episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, I chat with Rickesh Lakhani, founder of Radiance Advisory, about the importance of aligning actions with values in the nonprofit sector. We delve into the challenges of upholding stated values, especially during leadership transitions, and the significance of creating a culture of trust and truth within organizations.

Rickesh shares insights on how to identify and bridge the gap between an organization's stated values and its actual practices, emphasizing the importance of feedback, vulnerability, and accountability.

Key Highlights:

• Aligning Actions with Values: Rickesh emphasizes the need for organizations to go beyond just stating their values and ensure that these values are reflected in their day-to-day operations, from HR practices to financial decisions.
• Identifying Organizational Values: He suggests that values should be identified through the behavior, rather than just being listed on a website. They can be discovered through surveys, group discussions, and one-on-one interviews.
• Creating a Culture of Trust and Truth: Rickesh highlights the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where employees feel comfortable sharing feedback, both positive and negative. This involves minimizing hierarchical impacts and ensuring that feedback is acted upon.
• The Role of Leadership: Leaders play a crucial role in shaping organizational culture. They need to be open to feedback, vulnerable, and willing to acknowledge their own flaws. Their actions should align with the organization's stated values.
• Measuring Cultural Change: Rickesh suggests that cultural change can be measured through quantitative measures like employee engagement scores and attrition rates. Regular assessments can help track progress and identify areas for improvement.

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Links and Resources:

• Website: https://www.radianceadvisory.com/
• Connect with Rickesh on LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/rickeshlakhani
• Connect with Rickesh on X: https://x.com/ConstantChanges
• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/mariario/
• Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/208666/supporters/new
• Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up

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