Grow Strong Leaders Podcast
I’m fascinated by what it takes for leaders to live their values consistently, especially when it’s hard.
On the Grow Strong Leaders Podcast, I have candid conversations with senior executives who are working to sustain principled leadership at scale inside complex organizations. We talk about how values are reinforced through leadership capability, organizational systems, and the everyday decisions leaders make.
Our discussions also explore what gets tested when pressure rises—and the personal guardrails leaders rely on to stay aligned.
This podcast is for leaders who believe values should guide real decisions, not just appear on the wall.
Grow Strong Leaders Podcast
368: Why Nonprofits Must Think Like Businesses
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Most nonprofits fail for one simple reason: they don’t run like businesses. Dr. Sharon Elefant learned this firsthand and built her company, The Nonprofit Plug, to help founders close that gap. After beginning her career in hospital administration and later being laid off while finishing her doctorate, she turned her gift for connecting people to resources into a thriving consulting firm with 14 team members serving nonprofits across the country.
You’ll hear how Sharon built a culture grounded in follow-through, accountability, and professional excellence—and why she insists that mission-driven leaders must embrace financial literacy, systems, and quality control. She also shares how she intentionally prepared her team for her 3–6 month maternity leave by developing emerging leaders, transferring ownership of client relationships, and installing processes that allowed her to step away with confidence. If you care about impact, this conversation will challenge you to strengthen the business behind your mission.
Sharon is a nationally recognized nonprofit strategist, educator, and community advocate, serving as the Founder and CEO of The Nonprofit Plug LLC and The Nonprofit Plug Foundation Inc. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, compliance, financial management, grant writing, and capacity building, she has supported the formation and sustainability of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across the country.
You’ll discover:
- How consistent follow-through becomes the foundation of trust
- Why nonprofits must operate like businesses to thrive
- The systems Sharon uses to ensure 100% quality control
- How to develop emerging leaders through intentional shadowing
- Practical ways to prepare your team for your temporary absence
Connect with Dr. Sharon Elefant
Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsharonelefant/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenonprofitplug
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenonprofitplug/
Website
The Nonprofit Plug https://thenonprofitplug.com/
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