The New For Purpose CEO

Federal Budget Recap

What does the 2026 federal budget mean for not-for-profit leaders? In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle speak with advocacy expert Louise Yabsley about what the latest Australian Federal Budget means for the sector and how CEOs can turn disappointment into opportunity. Drawing on her experience in government policy, lobbying and budget strategy, Louise breaks down why this was one of the toughest federal budgets in recent years, what it signals for the care economy and reforms, and why not-for-profit advocacy needs to shift from reactive campaigning to long-term, solution-focused influence. You’ll learn how NFP CEOs can work with boards, peak bodies and government stakeholders to build stronger advocacy strategies, influence policy decisions, and position their organisations ahead of the next budget cycle. IN THIS EPISODE: 1. Key federal budget takeaways for Australian not-for-profits 2. What the budget means for the care economy reform 3. Why advocacy is a long game, not a one-off campaign 4. How to engage effectively with ministers, advisers and departments 5. Practical steps to build an advocacy strategy that gets results 6. Why evidence alone isn’t enough to influence government 7. A month-by-month advocacy timeline for NFP CEOs If you're leading a not-for-profit organisation, navigating government funding uncertainty, or looking to strengthen your advocacy strategy, this episode offers practical guidance on influencing policy and funding outcomes. Louise Yabsley: Louise Yabsley | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/-0184a2a1/] Watt Advocacy: Home - Watt Advocacy & Communications [https://www.wattadvocacy.com.au/] Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nfp-ceo/?viewAsMember=true] Website: thenfpceo.com.au [https://thenfpceo.com.au/] Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cutler-610a883/] Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleballantine/]

Is the Vision Statement Dead?

IS THE VISION STATEMENT DEAD? RETHINKING VISION, PURPOSE AND STRATEGY IN THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR Are traditional vision statements still relevant for today’s not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations? In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle debate: is the vision statement still serving a purpose, or has it become outdated corporate language that no longer resonates? As organisations revisit their strategic plans, purpose statements, mission and values, many are moving away from broad, idealistic vision statements toward language that feels more practical, meaningful and directly connected to their work. Michelle and Danielle explore why this shift is happening, what it means for not-for-profit leadership, and how CEOs can create organisational statements that genuinely guide strategy, culture and decision-making. In This Episode 1. Why many not-for-profit organisations are reconsidering traditional vision statements 2. The difference between vision, purpose and mission - is there one? 3. Whether broad aspirational statements still inspire staff and stakeholders 4. Why many “big sweeping” vision statements fail to connect to day-to-day work 5. Why purpose comes before vision in strategic planning 6. How CEOs can ensure organisational purpose is meaningful across all levels of the organisation 7. The risks of overly vague or grandiose organisational statements 8. How vision and purpose should influence strategic decision-making 9. Why organisational statements must resonate with funders, boards, staff and stakeholders 10. Practical questions CEOs should ask when reviewing their strategic framework Listen Now If you’re leading a strategic planning process, reviewing your organisational purpose, or questioning whether your current vision statement still fits, this episode offers practical insight for navigating the conversation. Subscribe to The NFP CEO Podcast for practical conversations on not-for-profit leadership, strategy and sector transformation. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nfp-ceo/?viewAsMember=true] Website: thenfpceo.com.au [https://thenfpceo.com.au/] Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cutler-610a883/] Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleballantine/]

This Meeting Could Have Been An Email

(and other workplace crimes against productivity) We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in a meeting, mentally calculating how many actual tasks you could have completed in the time it’s taken someone to read aloud the exact words already displayed on slide 14 of a PowerPoint deck. Somewhere between “next slide please” and “we’ll circle back on that,” you’re wondering if this meeting is where organisational productivity goes to die...... In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle tackle one of the great frustrations of organisational life: bad meetings. From meetings that should have been emails, to the dreaded round-the-room updates no one needed, to executives somehow being triple-booked (because cloning technology hasn’t reached the for-purpose sector), this episode unpacks what CEOs can do to create a meeting culture that actually respects people’s time. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE: Why bad meetings are more than just annoying: They’re expensive, frustrating, and a surprisingly effective way to drain organisational momentum. The “Death by PowerPoint” epidemic: A subtle reminder that slides are visual aids, not bedtime stories. What every meeting should answer before it starts: * Why are we meeting? * Who actually needs to be here? * What outcome are we aiming for? * Could this, in fact, have been an email? (If the answer to that last one is yes… you know what to do.) Why CEOs need to set the meeting culture: From punctuality expectations to pre-reading accountability, meeting standards start at the top. The difference between updates, discussions and decisions: Not every gathering requires everyone, every time. Revolutionary, we know. The hidden leadership skill of structuring meetings well: Because a well-run meeting saves time, builds trust, clarity and organisational alignment. If you’ve ever sat through a 60-minute meeting that achieved less than a two-line email, this one’s for you. Please share this episode with your colleagues, peers and fellow NFP leaders. It helps us grow The NFP CEO community and keeps the conversation going about practical leadership for the for-purpose sector. Because life’s too short for bad meetings. And definitely too short for slide 47. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nfp-ceo/?viewAsMember=true] Website: thenfpceo.com.au [https://thenfpceo.com.au/] Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cutler-610a883/] Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleballantine/]

Can Culture Outlast Leadership?

What happens to organisational culture when a key leader leaves? For many not-for-profit CEOs, this is more than a theoretical question. Leadership transitions, executive exits, restructures and management turnover can all put culture at risk - sometimes slowly and subtly, sometimes almost overnight. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle unpack an important leadership question: Can culture outlast leadership change? The answer? Yes, but only if culture has been intentionally embedded into the organisation itself, rather than attached to individual leaders. This conversation explores how CEOs and executive teams can build resilient organisational culture that withstands leadership transitions, protects team cohesion, and supports long-term organisational performance. As you reflect on your own organisation, ask yourself: 1. Is our culture attached to individuals or embedded in systems? 2. Would our culture survive the exit of a key executive? 3. Are our values clearly translated into expected behaviours? 4. How intentionally do we onboard leaders into our culture? 5. Where do silos exist that may create cultural fragmentation? 6. Is our leadership team aligned in how they reinforce culture? Resources & Support If your organisation is navigating: 1. Leadership transition 2. Executive succession 3. Organisational restructure 4. Cultural alignment challenges 5. Leadership team development We work with not-for-profit CEOs and executive teams to strengthen leadership capability and build resilient organisational culture. Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nfp-ceo/?viewAsMember=true] Website: thenfpceo.com.au [https://thenfpceo.com.au/] Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cutler-610a883/] Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleballantine/]

How to Get Your Managers to Step Up

When senior managers don’t step up, it creates pressure, frustration, and bottlenecks at the CEO level. But the cause isn’t always obvious and it’s rarely one-dimensional. In this episode, Michelle and Danielle unpack the real reasons behind why managers hold back, from unclear expectations and organisational culture to CEO behaviours and structural constraints. They explore how leaders can diagnose the issue, shift their own approach, and build the capability and confidence of their teams. This is a practical conversation about creating space, building trust, and developing the kind of leadership bench strength that allows CEOs to focus on what matters most. KEY TOPICS COVERED 1. Two sides of the same problem 2. The clarity trap 3. Learned helplessness in compliance-heavy environments 4. The CEO as bottleneck 5. From tasks to thinking 6. Role modelling vs. telling 7. Building strategic thinking 8. Creating safe space for growth (and mistakes) 9. Practical ways to develop your team Connect with us: LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nfp-ceo/?viewAsMember=true] Website: thenfpceo.com.au [https://thenfpceo.com.au/] Michelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-cutler-610a883/] Danielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleballantine/]