"Nice Business!" Podcast

Planning For, and Adapting to Change: Organizational Lessons from the Red Cross

Richard Train Season 1 Episode 11

In this episode of the “Nice Business!” PodcastTM, Richard Train and Jim Bob Howard talk with Linda Braddy, CEO of the Red Cross of North Texas. Linda shares how her career path led her from higher education into nonprofit leadership, and how staying rooted in mission guides her decisions during times of crisis and uncertainty.

Linda connects disaster response leadership to everyday business life, offering practical lessons on accountability, morale, and caring for people while still getting the work done. This episode is a thoughtful listen for leaders who want to build strong teams, lead with intention, and stay focused on what truly matters when things move fast.

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Episode Snippet

01:12 – Introducing Today’s Guest, Linda Brandy

03:18 – Understanding the full scope of Red Cross services

05:18 – Building a well-structured volunteer training system

07:32 – Finding the right way to help during disasters

16:01 – Leading change through consistent communication

18:03 – Reinforcing values through behaviors

20:22 – The Red Cross 7 Principles

22:58 – What “done” looks like in disaster recovery

29:43 – Productivity, boundaries, and sustainable work culture

30:16 – Building a strong volunteer community

About Our Guest:

Linda Braddy is the CEO of the American Red Cross North Texas, where she leads mission delivery and community resilience efforts serving more than 10.4 million people across 121 counties. With a background in higher education and nonprofit leadership, she has guided organizations through major transformation, including serving as President of Brookhaven College and as the inaugural provost of Dallas College. Known for her mission-driven, people-centered leadership, Linda brings clarity, adaptability, and service to complex, fast-moving environments.

Connect with Linda Braddy:

About Your Hosts: 

Richard Train is a Vistage Chair, leadership coach, culture consultant, and the creator of the “Nice Business” PodcastTM. He has spent more than 30 years helping leaders uncover the real issues behind performance, often the hidden “drama problems” that do not always show up in the numbers.

Connect with Richard Train:

Jim Bob Howard is a speaker, author, connector, and collaboration expert specializing in SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365. He helps teams and organizations communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and connect ideas to solve real business challenges.

Connect with Jim Bob Howard: