If slowing down feels impossible right now, you're not alone. In this powerful conversation, Kathy and Kimberley explore why taking a pause is essential for nonprofit women leaders, and why it's so hard to actually do. You'll walk away with validation, practical tools, and a fresh mindset to help you lead with more calm, clarity, and confidence.

Do you ever feel like you need to prove your worth by being the first one in and the last one out? Like, if you take a break, people will think you’re lazy or not doing enough? In this candid and heartfelt episode, Kathy and Kimberley dive deep into why women leaders in the nonprofit sector struggle to pause and how that very pause can be the key to sustainable, values-aligned leadership.

They share real-life stories (yes, car naps are totally a thing), offer brain science-backed insights, and break down what it really means to pause with intention. It’s not about doing less, it’s about showing up with more clarity, purpose, and confidence in leadership.

You’ll learn about the “Infinite Leadership Loop” and how it starts (and ends) with pausing. Whether it’s a 60-second breath between Zoom calls or a full-on nap in the boardroom, this episode reminds you that rest isn't a reward; it’s a responsibility.

If you’re craving more grounded leadership and less of the nonstop hustle, this conversation is your permission slip to slow down, reset, and lead differently.

• Why pausing feels so uncomfortable, especially for women in leadership
• How societal expectations and impostor syndrome keep us from resting
• The neuroscience behind why slowing down actually boosts leadership performance
• Practical ways to integrate pauses into your day (without guilt)
• How to model sustainable leadership for your team
• The 4 types of leadership breaks: body, soul, mind, and strategy
• Why rest is not laziness. It’s preparation for effective action

Kimberley MacKenzie said, “If you’re a leader and no one is following you, you’re just going for a walk.”

Kathy Archer shared, “You are not asking permission to take a break. Boundaries are not a question. They are a statement.”

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Free Chapter of Character Driven Leadership

Join Kimberley’s Newsletter: The Compassionate Executive

The Infinite Leadership Loop & Assessment (from Kathy’s book)

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Buy the book Character Driven Leadership for Women

Follow Kathy on Instagram @kathydarcher

Three nonprofit leadership mistakes we made | With Kimberly MacKenzie

Nonprofit leaders often fall into leadership, feeling called to serve, but end up overwhelmed, burned out, and disconnected from who they truly are.

In this conversation, Kathy Archer and Kimberley MacKenzie share the three mistakes they made in leadership and what actually helped them lead sustainably while staying aligned with their values and strengths.

They discuss why leading like others doesn’t work, why working harder only leads to burnout, and how understanding your values can transform your leadership approach. If you feel drained by your leadership role, this episode will help you see a different way forward.

Connect with Kathy: https://kathyarcher.com

Connect with Kimberley: https://kimberleymackenzie.ca

Get Character Driven Leadership https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

Strategies for Leading Change in Nonprofit Organizations

I wanted to share a conversation I had on the Nonprofit Digital Success Podcast with David from WOW Digital about managing change effectively while maintaining a balanced, values-driven leadership approach.

In this episode, we unpack why nonprofit leaders struggle with change, how to navigate the messy middle, and practical frameworks to lead with confidence without sacrificing your team’s buy-in or your own peace of mind.

If you enjoy this conversation, I encourage you to subscribe to the Nonprofit Digital Success Podcast hosted by David from WOW Digital.

• Leaders often lack the training and space needed to lead change effectively in nonprofits.
• Creating structured thinking time and leveraging change management frameworks helps overcome overwhelm.
• Asking for help is not a weakness; it is a leadership strength that enables sustainable, strategic change.

• WOW Digital
• Book: Transitions by William Bridges
• Two Quick Confidence Boosts Download

You’ve downloaded the planners.

But somehow, the overwhelm keeps coming back.

Why? 🤷‍♀️

Because no one told you how your emotions are driving your to-do list.

In this episode, you’ll hear two AI podcasters breaking down my course, The Emotions of Time Management, and why traditional systems fall short for nonprofit leaders.

✔️ Why time, focus, and energy—not time alone—are your true leadership resources

✔️ The emotional blocks behind procrastination, perfectionism, and burnout

✔️ How to use symbols, systems, and self-awareness to decode your to-do list

✔️ How your values shape your work habits—and how to use that insight for better time management

✔️ The Infinite Leadership Loop and how to get out of survival mode for good

🎧 This isn’t just another productivity episode. I hope it’s a wake-up call for nonprofit women leaders who want to lead with clarity, confidence, and calm.

If this episode resonates with you, imagine having the whole system at your fingertips. That’s what you’ll find inside The Emotions of Time Management course in The Training Library.

👉 Join The Training Library today: https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html

👉 Learn more about The Emotions of Time Management course https://kathy-archer.teachable.com/p/the-emotions-of-time-management

LinkedIn: @kathydarcher

Instagram: @kathydarcher

Facebook: @kathydarcher

If you’re a nonprofit leader—even just thinking about stepping back in the next few years—this episode is for you.

In this conversation I had with Mary Barroll from Charity Village for their CharityVillage Connects podcast, I talk about the real reasons we’re facing a leadership crisis in the nonprofit sector… and why so many transitions fall apart.

​You’ve been quietly wondering:

• How do I leave without everything falling apart?
• Is my team ready?
• What will my board say?
• What’s next for me?

​This episode will help you:

• Start the right conversations—without fear or guilt
• Understand the gaps in your current team’s readiness
• Recognize the role your board must play in succession
• Develop a plan to step back with confidence—and integrity
• Lead now in a way that prepares your people for later

Whether you’re leaving next year or in five, don’t wait. Now’s the time to get intentional about your legacy.

Ready to build your leadership confidence, develop leadership skills and find balance.

Discover more in The Training Library

Grab one of my books

• Mastering Confidence
• Character Driven Leadership for women

You can watch the full Charity Village Connects Episode with all their interviews here

You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m diving deep into my new book, Character Driven Leadership for Women, sharing the transformative journey that led me to create a powerful 5-step leadership framework.

✔️ Why survival mode keeps you stuck and how to break free.

✔️ The 3 traps women leaders fall into: Pleasing, Performing, and Perfecting.

✔️ How to align your leadership style with your values to lead with integrity.

✔️ The power of self-reflection and how it fuels leadership growth.

✔️ Real stories from nonprofit leaders who transformed through this method.

If today’s episode hit home, imagine having a whole book filled with these insights. Get your copy of Character Driven Leadership for Women today and start your journey toward impactful, authentic leadership:

• Amazon
• Chapters/Indigo
• Audible

🌎 Website: kathyarcher.com

📘 The Training Library: https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathydarcher

🟦 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydarcher/

Ever feel like leadership just doesn’t feel right? Like you’re playing a role that isn’t really you? You’re not alone. Many women leaders feel off because they’ve been taught to lead in a way that doesn’t align with who they truly are.

In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful framework from my newest book, Character Driven Leadership for Women, to help you lead authentically, tap into your strengths, and break free from leadership that feels "icky."

✔️ Why leadership feels wrong sometimes – and how to fix it

✔️ How to stop leading from outdated masculine models and embrace your strengths

✔️ The Stay, Grow, or Go framework – so you can refine your leadership traits with confidence

🎧 Get a sneak peek of my book by reading the first chapter here: https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

📖 And don’t forget – Character Driven Leadership for Women launches on March 3rd! Mark your calendar and get ready to lead with integrity, confidence, and authenticity.

🌎 Website: https://www.kathyarcher.com/

📙 Mastering Confidence Book: https://www.kathyarcher.com/mastering-confidence.html

📘 Character Driven Leadership for Women: https://www.kathyarcher.com/character-driven-leadership-book.html

📝 Join The Training Library: https://www.kathyarcher.com/library.html

📩 Get my newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydarcher/

Instagram @kathydarcher

LinkedIn @kathydarcher

Facebook: @kathydarcher

YouTube: @kathydarcher

Are your leadership goals setting you up for success or frustration? In this episode, I break down the 10 most common mistakes nonprofit leaders make when setting their goals and, more importantly, how to fix them. Whether you're struggling to balance personal and professional goals, feeling stuck on how to create an actionable plan, or unsure how to celebrate progress, this episode is packed with strategies to help you thrive.

✅ Why setting goals matters for leadership success

✅ How to align personal and professional growth

✅ The secret to effective 90-day goal planning

✅ Tips for celebrating wins and failures

✅ How to create habits that lead to lasting transformation

If you're ready to lead with confidence and authenticity this year, this episode is for you! Plus, grab my free guide to my favourite productivity books to help you get started.

The Training Library Membership

Productivity Book Guide

🔔 Subscribe for more tips to help nonprofit leaders thrive in leadership and life.

💬 Leave a comment with your favourite takeaway or how you plan to improve your goal-setting process!