Navigating power and conflict within nonprofits with Rebecca Epstein

Mission: Impact

In episode 94 of Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Rebecca Epstein discuss the article that Rebecca wrote with Mistinguette Smith published in the Nonprofit Quarterly in 2023.

Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together. The conversation between Rebecca and Carol covers the intricacies and challenges of leadership and organizational dynamics within the nonprofit sector, particularly in the context of social justice work. Their discussion touches upon generational conflicts, power dynamics, organizational clarity, and strategies for effective leadership, especially in the recent crises we have all experienced over the past several years.

Episode highlights:

Generational and Cultural Dynamics in Nonprofits

[00:08:30] The recent increased conflict within organizations between leaders and staff, often on generational and racial lines. How these conflicts are similar and different to those of the past.

Addressing Internal Conflicts and Building Resilience

[00:15:30] Conflicts within organizations, such as public call outs and accusations of racism as well as the push for structural changes.

Organizational Clarity and Strategy

- [00:20:30] The importance of organizational clarity regarding power and decision-making, and how it should reflect an organization's values and strategies.

The Challenge of Aligning Strategy and Leadership

- [00:25:30] The challenges organizations face in aligning their leadership style with their identity and mission as well as aligning expectations across segments of staff.

Addressing Trauma in Nonprofits

- [00:35:30] Understanding and addressing trauma embedded in social justice work – the trauma that stems from the issue the organization is addressing, intergenerational trauma, personal and interpersonal trauma. How might trauma at all these levels be addressed responsibly?

Current Trends and Challenges

The dialogue offers nonprofit leaders a range of insights and considerations for fostering healthy, effective, and resilient organizations that can navigate the complexities of social change work.

Guest Bio: Becca Epstein is a coach and consultant to social justice organizations and their leaders with over 20 years of experience in community organizing, organizational development, and nonprofit leadership. Becca is a co-founder of The Management Center, a former Vice President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and a convener of the “Paving a Better Way” working group. Her practice focuses on leaders, organizations, and movements confronting strategic challenges, seeking transformation, and advancing equity and justice. Becca holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy from NYU, a BA in Anthropology from Amherst College, and is a Certified Professional Coach.

Important Links and Resources:

Paving a Better Way: What’s Driving Progressive Organizations Apart and How to Win by Coming Together by Rebecca Epstein and Mistinguette Smith

Building Resilient Organizations: Toward Joy and Durable Power in a Time of Crisis by Maurice Mitchell

Learning From an Intergenerational Blowup Over Social Justice by Steve Kaagan & John Hagan

Rebecca Epstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-epstein-797aa75/

https://www.beccaepsteincoaching.com/

Internal Family Systems - No Bad Parts: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-bad-parts-healing-trauma-and-restoring-wholeness-with-the-internal-family-systems-model-richard-schwartz/16396062?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q7ZNqD5nvZg5Rc0AW1G0doLAO72cWnAFeCHvmKdI5QkEjpu1QDdtWIaAtc-EALw_wcB

Polarities - Polarity Partnerships: https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/

Related Episodes:

These articles were also discussed on:

Episode 75: Co-creation with Carol Hamilton and Danielle Marshall

Nature of the employee-employer relationship/what is work:

Episode 78: Renegotiating our relationship with work with Carol Hamilton

Episode 85: Building equitable compensation frameworks with Mala Nagarajan

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