Succession planning for CEOs is an important and often overlooked responsibility. In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle break down CEO succession planning for not-for-profit organisations, explaining why it matters, what it really involves, and how CEOs can turn a potentially stressful topic into a strategic advantage.Too often, the first time a board raises the question of succession planning is in the middle of a meeting, sparking panic and confusion. But succession planning doesn’t have to be negative. It’s a critical governance practice that protects your organisation, strengthens leadership continuity, and ensures your mission endures beyond any one person.Michelle and Danielle explore:Why CEO succession planning is a core board responsibility in the NFP sector.How to respond as a CEO when the board raises the issue.Practical steps to align your CEO position description with your organisation’s strategic plan.How to review team structures, delegations and business continuity plans to support leadership transitions.Ways to use succession planning as an opportunity for self-reflection, leadership development and honest conversations with your board.This episode gives NFP leaders and boards a clear framework for CEO succession planning – from updating position descriptions and delegations, to assessing leadership capability and ensuring continuity of operations.If you’re a CEO or board member in the not-for-profit sector looking to strengthen leadership continuity and organisational resilience, this episode will help you move beyond fear to action.Find out more about The NFP CEO and how we support new and aspiring leaders in the for-purpose sector at www.thenfpceo.com.au. Connect with us:LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedInWebsite: thenfpceo.com.auMichelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedInDanielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn
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23:40
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23:40
The Board Pack - How to Write Effective Briefing Papers
In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle break down how CEOs and senior leaders can craft briefing papers that actually get read and acted on. If you’ve ever wondered whether to prepare a briefing paper, what to include, or how to structure it so your board or committee can make clear, confident decisions — this is your practical guide.Briefing papers don’t have to be long, dull or confusing. Done well, they’re a powerful leadership tool for influencing board decisions, securing funding approvals, gaining strategic input, and preparing your organisation for major initiatives.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhen to use a briefing paper vs. your CEO report.The three core purposes of briefing papers: decision, discussion, or noting.How to structure a briefing paper.Tips for writing compelling recommendations and draft board resolutions.How to present options, risks and opportunities — including the often-forgotten “do nothing” option.Why active tone, plain language and minimal jargon matter for busy directors.Perfect ForCEOs, executives and managers in the not-for-profit / for-purpose sector.New and aspiring leaders who’ve never been formally trained in briefing-paper writing.Anyone preparing papers for boards, committees or funders who wants decision-ready content.Connect with us:LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedInWebsite: thenfpceo.com.auMichelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedInDanielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn
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25:07
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25:07
The Board Pack - Structuring Your CEO Report
In this episode of The NFP CEO, Michelle and Danielle revisit one of the most common pain points for new and aspiring CEOs - the CEO report. Building on an earlier episode, they dive deeper into what a CEO report should actually look like and share a simple structure that can save time, improve board engagement and make reporting far more effective.Danielle introduces the “three-plus-three” framework, three main headings, each with three sub-headings and explains how she’s adapted it in her own CEO reports with input from board members. Michelle adds insights from her experience on both sides of the board table about how consistency, clarity and narrative make reports easier to read and respond to.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to co-design a CEO report framework with your chair or boardWhy a consistent structure improves readability and engagementHow the “three-plus-three” approach works:Financial Performance – your commentary on revenue, cash flow, cost savings or funding issues (not just the numbers)Operational Updates – KPIs, HR metrics, Workplace Health and Safety, stakeholder or member updates, and customer feedbackStrategic Initiatives – progress on your strategic plan, market analysis, risks, legislative change and big picture trendsTips for anticipating board questions and keeping narrative conciseWhy decisions or approvals you’re seeking from the board should be flagged upfrontHow aligning your CEO report with the board agenda can streamline meetings.If you’ve ever wondered how to stop your CEO report from becoming “bigger than Ben Hur,” this episode gives you a clear, adaptable outline you can start using right away.Connect with us:LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedInWebsite: thenfpceo.com.auMichelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedInDanielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn
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28:00
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28:00
The Board Pack - Designing Effective Board Agendas as the CEO
If you’re a CEO, you know the board agenda can feel like a mountain of work. In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle share their tried-and-tested approach to building a clear, effective board pack and agenda — one that saves time, sets expectations and keeps the discussions focused.They cover:How to work with your Chair to plan the agenda and send papers on timeThe ideal structure for a board meeting:Formalities up front (acknowledgements, attendance, conflicts, minutes)Matters for decision (the high-brain-power items first)Matters for discussion (CEO and finance reports, committee updates)Matters for noting (information only)In-camera sessions and next-meeting detailsWhy lifting decisions out of your CEO report gives your board clarityTips for time-boxing agenda items so discussions stay on trackHow to use your CEO report to highlight, not rehash, key issuesWays to involve committee chairs and staff so ownership and accountability are sharedWhether you’re a first-time CEO or a seasoned leader, this episode will help you shape a predictable, and professional board agenda that gets the decisions you need and gives your board the best of its own expertise.Need support with your board agenda or CEO report? Visit our website or connect with Michelle and Danielle on LinkedIn.Connect with us:LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedInWebsite: thenfpceo.com.auMichelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedInDanielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn
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30:28
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30:28
The Off-Site Debate - is it worth it?
In this episode of The NFP CEO Podcast, Michelle and Danielle unpack the myths and realities of team-bonding activities in not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations. From strategy days to off-site retreats, icebreakers to “forced fun,” they explore what really strengthens workplace culture and what wastes time and money.Whether you’re a CEO planning your first staff away day, a manager designing a strategic planning session, or a leader grappling with low engagement, you’ll get practical tips on how to make every team activity purposeful, inclusive and worth the investment.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy “forced fun” can backfire and how to avoid it.The difference between team-building and culture-building.How to plan effective off-sites, strategy days and engagement activities.The importance of clear objectives, realistic agendas and respecting staff time.Creative icebreaker ideas that actually work (and the ones to avoid).How physical space, facilitation style and “golden questions” shape participation.Practical examples from Michelle and Danielle’s own experience running not-for-profit strategy days and cross-team collaborations.Connect with us:LinkedIn: The NFP CEO: Overview | LinkedInWebsite: thenfpceo.com.auMichelle Cutler: Michelle Cutler | LinkedInDanielle Ballantine: Danielle Ballantine | LinkedIn
Ever wondered what happens when CEOs of purpose-driven organisations sit down together for a chat? With 30 years’ of combined experience in the for-purpose space, we knew these conversations should be stored and shared!!
We tackle the real questions: How do you build and sustain a thriving organisational culture? How do you manage relationships with your board and your chair? How do you preserve your peace of mind while carrying the weight of responsibility of being a for-purpose CEO.
For those who are new to the role or eyeing it on the horizon, the importance of a support network cannot be overstated. This is why this podcast was created - to be a valuable source of information and support, offering ideas and insights you can implement in your organisation immediately.
We share the stories and challenges CEOs tell each other when we get together - and chat through how to address issues unique to NFP CEOs in every episode.
Wherever you are in your NPF CEO journey, there’s something here for you. We are about our community supporting each other. Creating more impact and driving better outcomes for the sector and those that we serve is what we are all about.
LINKS
Website: https://thenfpceo.com.au/
This podcast is recorded on country of the Cameraygal and Darramuragal Peoples.
Ireland