Episode #117
A Nonprofit Is Still a Business: Why Heart Alone Isn't Enough | Featuring Dr. Kimberly Iozzi
What if loving the mission is the easy part? Most people don't choose nonprofit work by accident. They care, often deeply. But somewhere along the way, it becomes easy to act as though being mission-driven makes the fundamentals of running a business less relevant. It doesn't. In this episode of Possibilities with Monique de Maio, Monique sits down with Dr. Kimberly Iozzi, who has spent more than 25 years making mission-driven organizations stronger. Her message to nonprofit leaders is direct: "It's a business. First and foremost, it's a business. That doesn't diminish the mission. It may be exactly what allows the mission to survive. In this episode: → Why heart alone isn't enough, even when the mission is personal → The Swiss Army knife problem: why wearing every hat makes it hard to see the organization → Breathe, reflect, and the 24-hour rule for not reacting in the moment → The question every nonprofit needs to answer: why you? → Why a story that works with anyone's logo is a differentiation problem → Why "we tried that before" is usually a 20-year-old answer → Mission-driven doesn't automatically mean high-performing → Why corporate leaders who join nonprofits shouldn't leave their business brain at the door → What Kimberly would tell her 30-year-old self If you lead a nonprofit, serve on a board, or are bringing a corporate career into your next chapter of giving back, this one is for you. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Kimberly Iozzi is Vice-President, Operations & Programming at the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation. She previously led Dress for Success Northern New Jersey and the Housing Authority of the Town of Newton, has trained leaders through Rutgers University, has advised nonprofits as a consultant, and holds a PhD in Organizational Psychology. Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-iozzi/ Morris County Chamber of Commerce: https://www.morrischamber.org TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome and introduction: who is Dr. Kimberly Iozzi? 01:41 A ride to a community meeting that started a 25-year career 04:04 The Swiss Army knife: a superpower and a trap 05:21 Why heart alone isn't enough 07:03 When the mission is personal08:33 Breathe, reflect, and the 24-hour rule 11:50 "Thank you, Monica": talking to yourself in the third person 13:57 Differentiation and why organizations get stuck 15:38 "We tried that before," COVID as a gift, and riding the wave 17:35 The Shark Tank test: why you? 19:46 First and foremost, it's a business 20:50 Leaders who don't know they don't get it 23:57 Different is better than better 24:43 Mission-driven doesn't mean high-performing 27:00 Don't leave your business brain at the door 28:21 Advice to her 30-year-old self 29:42 Why women are harder on themselves 32:48 Closing thoughts This podcast is part of our mission to amplify women who are redefining work, life, and leadership. Follow Monique for More Possibilities Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moniquedemaio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquedemaio Newsletter: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/newsletter-sign-up Explore Strategic Navigator Sessions with Monique: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/strategic-navigator/ Book Monique as a speaker for your next event: https://www.moniquedemaio.com/contact Grab her award-winning, bestselling book The 7 Secrets to Creating a Life You Love: A Practical Guide for Women in Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Creating-Life-You-Love/dp/B0CLHV526G
