EP80: Transforming Volunteer Frustration Into Better Communication
Description
When 15 blankets arrived with messy selvage edges despite "clear" instructions, I blamed the volunteers. That was not great, but then I asked: What if the problem is my communication?
In this vulnerable episode, I share how frustration over "ruined" Binky Patrol blankets led to a profound leadership insight about expert blindness. After 30 years of nonprofit work, I discovered I've been assuming knowledge that first-time volunteers simply don't have.
Learn why I'm inviting children to critique our instructions, how to recognize when your expertise becomes a communication barrier, and practical strategies to bridge the gap between what you know and what volunteers understand.
For nonprofit leaders tired of repeating themselves or fixing well-intentioned mistakes, this episode offers a fresh perspective on volunteer guidance that transforms frustration into growth opportunities.
#NonprofitLeadership #VolunteerManagement #CommunicationSkills #ExpertBlindness
United States
