I am so excited to welcome Chris Wong to the Lead with Heart Podcast. Chris is a licensed therapist, executive coach, and host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations podcast. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and health sectors, Chris specializes in helping purpose-driven leaders navigate difficult transitions, rebuild trust, and lead culture change that actually lasts.

In this episode, we dive deep into the art of mastering hard conversations, the psychology behind conflict, and how nonprofit leaders can strengthen trust and resilience in their teams. Chris shares practical strategies for bridging generational differences, navigating hybrid workplaces, and leading with clarity when the stakes are high.

In this episode:

• [05:05] Nonprofit leadership challenges: scarcity mindset
• [07:07] Bridging generational differences in nonprofit leadership
• [09:36] Why leaders avoid hard conversations and how to reframe conflict
• [14:14] Building trust in nonprofit teams and organizations
• [18:12] Cultivating relationships in hybrid nonprofit environments
• [20:58] A framework for approaching difficult conversations
• [27:55] Preparing nonprofits for crisis conversations
• [33:22] Addressing gossip during organizational change
• [34:21] Insights from Chris’s own podcast on difficult conversations
• [36:53] Advice for anyone about to have a difficult conversation

RES

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My book, Sow, Grow, Lead is live on Amazon! It shares my journey of starting a nonprofit in Malawi and offers practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders turn visions into reality, and create meaningful impact

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CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com
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