The Influential Nonprofit Episode 104: Evan Wildstein: Servant Leadership In Nonprofits
Evan Wildstein is a nonprofiteer with over 20 years of experience in fundraising and strategy.
Throughout his career, Evan has worked with organizations like The Juilliard School, Asia Society, Rice University, and Houston Grand Opera to raise funds and develop innovative programs.
He is passionate about the intersection of philanthropy, creativity, and learning, and has dedicated his career to supporting initiatives that build stronger communities.
In addition to his work in social impact, Evan has coached organizations on board development and talent growth, commissioned operas, and produced educational programs. He is a native of New York and currently lives in Texas (Houston) with his family. Evan is a regular contributor to several publications, writing about the nonprofit sector and organizational leadership.
Servant leadership is misunderstood. It’s not about giving relentlessly until you burn out. It’s about serving others and focusing on giving value. It’s about leading in a way that inspires growth, eventually creating more leaders rather than just followers.
Listening is different from merely hearing, it is also different from listening for what you want to hear. Truly listening is about being fully present in the conversation and making the other person feel seen and heard.
Here are the ten tools that a true servant leader has: listening, empathy, healing, persuasion, awareness, foresight, conceptualization, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people, and building community.
The biggest difference between coercion and persuasion is that coercion is all about getting someone to do something in the short term, while persuasion is attracting people to be with you and actively work with you into accomplishing great things.
I think one of the misunderstandings of servant leadership is this overwhelming need and desire to put other people first. That's not servant leadership. That's service to a fault.
It's all interwoven. In that you can build a better community by being empathetic, being a good listener, and by virtue, leading to a place of healing.
If it just didn't happen, don't try and fit that peg into the hole where it's not going to go. How you grow is how you go so find the place where you are the right thing.
Reach out to Evan Wildstein at:
Website: https://www.thenonprofiteers.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-wildstein-7053545a/
Ask for and receive all you want need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy.
Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work.