What are the skills and mindsets necessary to be a backbone leader for a collaborative?

In this new podcast discussion, we talk with Paul Schmitz and Dominique Samari, authors of the recent report, “Backbone Leadership Is Different.” We explore how backbone leadership is unique and why It differs from traditional, more hierarchical leadership styles. In the discussion, we dive into:

• The specific mindset shifts required in backbone leadership;
• The skill sets that are crucial for effective backbone leadership;
• The importance of building relationships as a vital aspect of backbone leadership(and why it’s necessary that relationship-building be specified as part of the backbone’s work, and not considered an add-on or “on the side”.)
• Advice and insights on how backbone leaders can effective support collaboratives.

Resources and Footnotes

• Report: Backbone Leadership Is Different
• Webinar: The Skills and Mindset Shifts Backbones Need for Collective Impact
• Resource: Racial Equity Toolkit
• Online Platform: Kin Universe
• Article: Centering Equity in Collective Impact
• Blog: Making Meetings Work
• Podcast: What Makes an Effective Backbone Leader

More on Collective Impact

• Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
• Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Companies can be a critical partner in collective impact work. However, working with companies can pose unique challenges, from understanding how to initiate these partnerships to understanding how to best partner to sustain these relationships over time.

To learn more about how collaboratives can engage and partner with the private sector to advance social change work, we talk with Nikhil Bumb, Managing Director at the social change consulting firm FSG.

In this conversation, we discuss the multiple ways that nonprofits and companies can collaborate, from reaching out through corporate philanthropy to building deep, cross-sector partnerships. We also explore some of the unique advantages and challenges associated with partnering with companies, including the importance of:

• Challenging preconceived notions about what it means to work in the nonprofit or private sector;
• Understanding each partner’s strengths, resources, and limitations;
• Strengthening relationships by fostering a culture of mutual understanding, shared learning, and transparency;
• Moving beyond transactional relationships to establish a shared mission and values alignment.

Resources and Footnotes

• FSG
• Report: The Promise of Partnerships
• Blog: Partnering for Change, Committing to Learning
• Blog: What Business Leaders Wish NGOs Knew about Transformative Partnerships
• Podcast: Shifting from Competition to Partnership in Private Sector Collaboration

More on Collective Impact

• Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
• Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/

Achieving long-term change requires having government—whether local, state, or federal—at the collaborative table as a key partner. However, many collaboratives share that building these partnerships can be challenging, intimidating, or confusing.

To better understand how to build and sustain effective relationships with public sector partners, we talk with Caroline Whistler, CEO and co-founder of Third Sector, a nonprofit technical assistance provider that advises U.S. government agencies on effective ways to reshape policies, systems, and services toward better outcomes for all people no matter their race, background, and circumstances.

This discussion explores the opportunities and challenges collaboratives may face when partnering with government agencies. The conversation highlights:

• Shifting mindsets from a compliance-driven approach to an outcomes-focused approach, where government agencies work alongside their collaborative partners to define and measure progress towards shared goals.
• Why relationship and trust-building are necessary when collaborating with government partners.
• Why sustaining partnerships with government can help collectives reach better outcomes for everyone, but also needs to be recognized as an “ongoing process,” requiring commitment, patience, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt.

Resources and Footnotes

• Third Sector
• Caroline Whistler on LinkedIn

More on Collective Impact

• Infographic: What is Collective Impact?
• Resource List: Getting Started in Collective Impact

The Intro music, entitled “Running,” was composed by Rafael Krux, and can be found here and is licensed under CC: By 4.0.

The outro music, entitled “Deliberate Thought,” was composed by Kevin Macleod. Licensed under CC: By.

Have a question related to collaborative work that you'd like to have discussed on the podcast? Contact us at: https://www.collectiveimpactforum.org/contact-us/