Cultivate for Good

True leadership isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about being brave enough to admit when you don’t. ?? When leaders embrace vulnerability, they build trust, foster collaboration, and create spaces where growth happens. It's not a sign of weakness – it's a sign of strength. Leaders who are teachable, open to feedback, and unafraid to ask for help inspire the best from their teams. ?? If you’re ready to lead with courage and authenticity, follow me for more insights on relational leadership. - Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #Leadership #RelationalLeadership #GrowthMindset #VulnerableLeadership #Teachable #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipStrength #TrustInLeadership #StrategicLeadershipCoach

? Episode 2 of the Cultivate Podcast is live! ? In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Marco Alonso Schmidt-Salcedo – a true relational leader making a lasting impact in the world. ?? During our conversation, Marco opens up about: ? The transformative power of relational leadership in today’s world ? How to create authentic connections that inspire trust and collaboration ? The challenges and rewards of leading with heart and integrity ? The critical role vulnerability plays in building impact-driven relationships Marco’s insights are a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their leadership and create a legacy of positive influence. Don’t miss this incredible conversation – it’s time to step into a leadership style that prioritizes people and impact over everything else. ?? - Wendy F. Adams, CFRE Like, subscribe, and stay tuned for weekly episodes that dive into strategies for purposeful, relational leadership. ? YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gaASDAEq Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDkuND9D Apple: https://lnkd.in/gmDA5dJ2 Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gDn8r6sN #CultivatePodcast #RelationalLeadership #LeadershipWithHeart #BuildingLegacy #ImpactfulLeadership #StrategicLeadershipCoach

It's easy to fall into extremes: either over-coddling without accountability or being so harsh that we forget the human behind the role. High support is the secret sauce for making high challenge work. And it's not about picking one or the other – it’s about balancing both. When we lead with intention, we can create a space where challenge and support go hand in hand. Because when we nurture the human first, performance follows. Is it easier for you to push your team or to cheer them on? Why? ??- Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #RelationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathyInLeadership #StrategicLeadershpCoach #HighPerformance #LeadershipGrowth #TeamBuilding #LeadershipMindset

I’m embarrassed to admit that for decades, I convinced myself that my superpower (authenticity) was actually my fatal flaw. But not anymore… With great power comes great responsibility, right? ?? And I’m learning to own it. For years (okay, forever), I’ve been told… “Wendy, you’re great at conveying your passion… but if you could just fix your face when you hear something you don’t agree with, that would take your leadership from good to great.” So, for years, I tried (tried!) to soften my demeanor in meetings, 1-1s, and even casual conversations. ?? But then it hit me… This isn’t a flaw, it’s a gift. A gift my mama passed down to me. She was the queen of not "fixing her face." And it's not about being disrespectful – it's about honesty. In a world full of pleasantries and guessing games, why should we have to guess how people are feeling? And at the end of the day, building meaningful relationships and strong leadership isn’t about playing guesswork with others' feelings. It’s about cultivating trust – and trust comes from authenticity. If my facial expressions match the words coming out of my mouth, I’m one step closer to establishing authentic relationships. Even if people don’t always love what they see on my face, they know I mean what I say. And that’s all I want. ?? I’d love to hear from you – how do you balance authenticity with leadership in your own life? ? Do you ever feel like your “realness” might be misunderstood? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it! ?? -Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipWithHeart #MamaKnowsBest #RelationalLeadership #LeadershipCoach

? The wait is over! ? Today is the day! The very first episode of The Cultivate Podcast drops NOW! ?? In this debut episode, Sustaining Nonprofit Success: Strategies and Insights, I’m joined by Lindsey Holland, Senior Director of HR at MAP International. We dive deep into the power of relational leadership and how to create sustainable impact in the nonprofit world. This episode is especially meaningful to me as today marks what would have been my mama’s 77th birthday. It’s been 2 years since her passing, and in honor of her legacy, I’m carrying forward the values she instilled in me – empowering leaders to cultivate their highest potential. Lindsay shares her insights on aligning people systems with mission and values, and how HR can be a true partner in achieving organizational success. ?? You won’t want to miss this one – tune in and get inspired to sustain success in your leadership journey! P.S. Stay tuned for weekly episodes that dive into strategies for purposeful, relational leadership. ? -Wendy F. Adams, CFRE YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gaASDAEq Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gDkuND9D Apple: https://lnkd.in/gmDA5dJ2 Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gDn8r6sN #CultivatePodcast #RelationalLeadership #LeadershipCoach #WomenInLeadership #NonprofitLeadership #MissionDriven

Leadership isn’t about being emotionless – it’s about being emotionally steady. Because let’s be real – frustration will come. Stress will build. And things won’t go as planned. ?? But how you handle those moments?? – that’s what sets the tone for your entire team. I used to think emotional self-regulation meant stuffing everything down and pushing through. But I’ve learned that acknowledging your emotions (without letting them take over!) is the real key. ?? One thing that’s helped me? Starting my day with a simple prayer: "Let me lead with wisdom, respond with patience, and choose joy even in the unexpected." It’s a reminder that I can choose how I show up – no matter what happens. Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about having all the answers.? It’s about having the emotional capacity to guide your team through the unknown. How do you self-regulate when things get tough? ?? P.S. The very first episode of The Cultivate Podcast drops tomorrow! ?? Tune in to explore how relational leadership can transform your team dynamics and drive success.? -Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #LeadershipCoach #RelationalLeadership #Leadership #TeamCulture #WorkplaceWellness #CultivatePodcast

As leaders, we can’t grow or innovate without the truth. If your team is only telling you what you want to hear, you're missing out on real breakthroughs. I once worked for a leader who had a simple, powerful phrase on his wall: “Tell me something I don’t want to hear.” He invited honesty and created a culture where feedback wasn’t just welcomed – it was expected. That level of trust led to empowerment and creativity, which ultimately drove our team’s success. When you build a leadership team, it’s about more than hiring the right people… It’s about setting the right expectations and creating an open-door policy where everyone feels heard, no matter how uncomfortable the conversation may be. Without that transparency, you'll face disengagement, poor decisions, and missed opportunities. Real leadership is about making it safe to speak up. When your team knows they can tell you the truth, it’s a game-changer. Want to learn more about how to build trust and foster collaboration? Mark your calendar for March 4th – The Cultivate Podcast is launching soon, and you’re going to love it! ???- Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #Leadership #Trust #RelationalLeadership #TeamCulture #TheCultivatePodcast #LeadershipCoach

Compassionate accountability isn’t about choosing between tough love and empathy – it’s about combining both. It’s not enough to just hold people accountable. They need to know they’re seen as whole, complex humans. When that happens, they don’t just meet expectations – they exceed them. Want more? Follow me for more tips on how relational leadership can transform your team and drive lasting impact. - Wendy F. Adams, CFRE #Leadership #CompassionateAccountability #HighChallengeHighSupport #ThrivingOrganizations #MissionDriven #LeadershipCoach