161. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 2 with Jenni Field

In this powerful follow-up episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson continues her insightful conversation with Jenni Field, diving deeper into the leadership principles that drive meaningful change, especially for those managing volunteers. 

Together, they unpack the nuanced differences between authenticity and vulnerability in leadership, highlighting how empathy, flexibility, and consistent action can earn trust and credibility with both volunteers and colleagues. 

Tobi and Jenni also offer guidance on recognizing signs of credibility challenges and what to do about them. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to volunteer management, this episode is full of practical wisdom you can use right away. 

Full show notes: 161. Leadership Principles for Sparking Change – Part 2 with Jenni Field 

Leadership Principles - Episode Highlights 

• [01:50] - Authenticity vs. Vulnerability in Leadership 
• [05:40] - The Importance of Being Genuine 
• [11:51] - Diagnosing Credibility Issues in Organizations 
• [14:35] - Navigating Challenges in Inclusivity and Belonging 
• [19:58] - Volunteer Managers: Gaining Buy-In and Credibility 
• [22:53] - Building Credibility and Respect 
• [25:02] - Strategic Planning for Volunteer Engagement 
• [26:43] - Addressing Challenges in Volunteer Management 
• [32:05] - Empathy and Flexibility in Volunteer Leadership 
   

Helpful Links 

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report – The Recruitment Edition 
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #84: Building an Inclusive Culture at Your Volunteer Organization with Advita Patel 
• Edleman Trust Barometer 2025  
• The Fish Rots from the Head: The Crisis in Our Boardrooms: Developing the Crucial Skills of the Competent Director  
• Find Jenni on LinkedIn  
• Find Jenni on Instagram 
• Jenni's Website  
• Buy Jenni’s Book 
• Take the Credibility Gap Assessment: How credible are you? 
  
  
  

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at [e-mail].