How Great Leaders Build Unity and Growth

What if your organization's greatest growth opportunity was hiding in plain sight—behind outdated strategy, siloed goals, or a culture afraid to speak up? In this episode of The Next Interview, I sit down with Chris Vaughan, Co-Founder of Sequence Consulting, a leading strategist behind the success of 12 of the top 20 global associations. With 24 years of experience helping membership-based organizations grow revenue, boost engagement, and ignite purpose, Chris shares how meaningful transformation really happens. We dig deep into: • How to align mission, membership, and money for lasting impact • Why radical transparency and “real talk” shift culture and build trust • The simple way to break free from the “do stuff” trap and refocus on outcomes • How AI is helping associations personalize, scale, and actually grow • The biggest leadership challenge in legacy organizations—and how to lead through it Chris doesn’t hold back. From the power of clarity to building buy-in across complexity, this is a playbook for leaders who are done settling for status quo. Chris Vaughan, PhD. is the Chief Strategy Officer for Sequence Consulting. Chris and his wife, Lisa, partner with professional and trade associations of all types and sizes globally, including more than half of the top 20 associations. Their unique expertise is also sought by Fortune 500 companies. What unites their clients is a growth mindset and a commitment to transformational change in membership and revenue. Chris is a monthly contributor to Associations Now and frequently speaks for associations, organizations, and podcasts. Chris is an enthusiastic amateur photographer who mostly focuses on nature, landscapes, and architecture. He likes power boating on Lake Michigan when the weather cooperates. Chris also loves travel. He's been to 77 countries so far, and he's shooting for 100. Contact: https://sequenceconsulting.com/