When the Stakes Are High: Centering People in Tough Nonprofit Leadership Moments with Melissa Kessler

Sep 9, 2025

In episode 131 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Melissa Kessler explore the intersection of communications and organization development, particularly in moments of crisis, transition and change. They talk about

• how internal communications can either reinforce or undermine values, strategy, and humanity within an organization. 

• how to navigate layoffs, restructuring, or organizational shifts with humanity

• why how we communicate is just as important as what we decide.

 

 Episode highlights:

💬 “It’s a Communications Problem” – Or Is It? [00:09:27] –

🔁 Communications Is Change [00:12:29] – 

💔 Communicating Layoffs with Humanity [00:14:30] – 

🧠 Leaders Are Always Ahead of the Curve [00:18:24] – 

🔄 Defining “Internal” vs. “External” in Complex Systems [00:19:32] – 

🧩 Communication Is Not Strategy [00:20:57] – 

💬 Who Gets Told What—And When [00:22:55] – 

⚠️ Managing With Compassion Through Uncertainty [00:24:54] – 

👥 The Impact on Those Who Remain [00:30:15] –

🌅 Ending Well: The Missing Ritual [00:33:15] – 

🪦 Organizational Death and Grief [00:35:55] – 

🧘‍♀️ Leading in Chaos: Self-Care Is Strategic [00:42:15] – 

📝 Your Crisis Plan Should Include Snacks [00:44:04] – 

 

Guest Bio:

Melissa George Kessler is a consultant and executive coach working in the areas of strategy and organization effectiveness through her independent practice, Organizations + Communications, and with partner firms. She began her career as a reporter and editor; later ran the communications shops for two agriculture associations; and has worked extensively in trade policy and education. Over a 20 year career, Melissa has done work with non-profit and private-sector partners throughout the urban and rural United States and in Asia, Africa and Latin America. She also has spoken at various OD conferences and is the author of a book chapter on communications and strategic change. Melissa splits her time between her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the national capital area.

Important Links and Resources:

Melissa Kessler

Organizations + Communications LLC

The Workplace Psychological Contract Is Broken. Here’s How to Fix It

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes

 

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