Tag: business

Your Soul Food for the week of Friday August 22, 2025: Local Treasures Hidden in Plain Sight

by Soul Food Friday, posted in Uncategorized

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

“The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own.

Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead

and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest.”

Through the North County Philanthropy Council (NCPC) where I am currently board president, at the end of this month we are running an 8-month Impact Leadership Accelerator for emerging leaders. Sign up Deadline is August 22nd.

As you probably know when budgets are tight it’s typically marketing and leadership development that get cut, but effective storytelling for impact, and equipping our leaders for this BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible) world is precisely what we need to navigate uncertainty and future proof our organizations.

“Though the present drifts in uncertainty, let there be no doubt that the future unfolds in light.”

We are looking for a few sponsors to invest in either orgs they care deeply about and perhaps already support, and/or people they believe in.

The total cost for the program is $550 per person and intentionally designed to be accessible and impactful.

Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Prebys Foundation was our first guest speaker, followed by a Women in Leadership panel featuring Krishna Kabra, Beatrice Palmer, and Idara Ogunsaju.

Links to both these webinars as well as more details are available at the link below:

Impact Leadership Accelerator – North County Philanthropy Council

We have 3 cohorts filled and have just a few more slots in case you know of anyone that could benefit from this program at this critical time, run by our leadership committee, headed up by Jim Ristuccia a Vistage chair, along with several seasoned leaders, in both the business and social sectors.

Unique Benefits of this One-Of-A-Kind Leadership Experience:

  • Exclusive opportunities to hear from renowned subject matter experts in the nonprofit space on topics that are very relevant to the current operating environment, with an eye toward building resiliency and capacity for a strong future.
  • In-depth group discussions of topics facilitated by skilled coaches.
  • Peer-to-peer collaborations for sharing knowledge, experiences, advice, and mutual support of one another in meeting your challenges and opportunities.
  • Access to experienced, conscientious coaches for 1:1 assistance throughout the program.
  • Valuable assessments with personalized feedback and insights to identify strengths and opportunities for growth as a leader.
  • Hands-on Capstone Project: a group mastermind project to help a real, local nonprofit solve a specific challenge.
  • A free one year-membership in NCPC upon successful completion of the 8-month experience.
  • Opportunity in subsequent years to maintain connection with your cohort and give back to the program as a coach, committee member, or both.

The kickoff session is Aug 27 from 9 to noon at Mission Fed HQ.

See below and please share with your networks too!

    Accelerate your impact—in your career, your organization, and your community—through a transformative leadership experience that delivers lasting results. Offered exclusively by NCPC.   Welcome to a unique leadership development journey tailored to your individual growth. Whether you’re just stepping into leadership or looking to deepen your influence, this program meets you where you are—and helps you go further, faster.   Here’s why Kristian Browning, a participant in last year’s program, found it so beneficial, in her own words:   “The Impact Leadership Accelerator gave me exactly what I was looking for—meaningful connections throughout the county and access to impactful mentors who provided ongoing support even after the program ended. More than just skill-building, it offered validation and a steady stream of energy to continue doing meaningful nonprofit work, while creating lasting relationships with mentors like Jim and Adri who continue to provide guidance, recommendations, and networking opportunities that will be invaluable as I advance in my career.“   Kristian Browning, Director of Special Projects and Development, SupplyBank.org   Don’t miss the August 27th kickoff of this 8-month leadership development program tailored to nonprofit professionals with a panel discussion on how to —   FUTURE PROOF YOUR CAREER — Build Skills That Endure in Uncertain Times   This discussion will explore practical steps to strengthen your career—focusing on developing leadership skills, expanding expertise across multiple areas, becoming the go-to person in your organization, and nurturing a strong professional network.   Participants will walk away with strategies to grow their influence and resilience, even in turbulent times.    Meet Our Expert Panel:   Trevor Blair, CEO, Blair Search Partners   Sarah Agee, President, Sterling Search Inc.   Dr. Laura Deitrick, Executive Director of The Nonprofit Institute; Professor of Practice; Department of Leadership Studies Program Director   Moderated by Neville Billimoria, NCPC Board President, & SVP Marketing and Membership at Mission Federal Credit Union     Register for the 8-month program now and join us for Day One of this extraordinary journey.   LEARN MORE AND REGISTER »   Join by 8/22 to receive your DISC personal assessment.

Thanks for your consideration and blessings for all you do to make San Diego America’s Kindest and most Purposeful Region!

Love,

Neville

The word philanthropy comes from two Greek words – philein, meaning to love, and anthropos (as in anthropology), meaning humankind.

And so, philanthropy means love of humanity.

That’s really who a philanthropist is – one who acts out of love for humankind.

Do You Deserve Some Time for Self-Care and Self-Compassion?

As leaders and practitioners, we often invest substantial energy in serving others, and as a result don’t always attend to our own needs. Here is an opportunity to provide you, and by extension those in your community, with simple and proven energetic techniques- supported by both western science and eastern wisdom traditions- that reduce chronic stress and upskill resilience and fortitude, particularly in times of challenge.

You can register here: https://secure.ncphilanthropy.org/eventReg.jsp?event=150&

This California City Was Just Named the Best Place in the U.S. to Watch the Sunset:
A new ranking crowned a Southern California destination No. 1 for sunset lovers.

This California City Was Just Named the Best Place in the U.S. to Watch the Sunset

New Data Proves It: You Need to Go to More Parties:
The time Americans spend at parties is down 50 percent. That’s terrible for our happiness, health, and careers. It’s the dog days of summer, so our free time should be packed with backyard barbecues, al fresco dinner parties, or lakeside hangs. But if your own social calendar is looking a little bare this year, you are not alone. As journalist and author Derek Thompson reported on his Substack newsletter recently, new data shows Americans are in the depths of a nationwide party recession.

New Data Proves It: You Need to Go to More Parties

The 10 most expensive U.S. metro areas to buy a home–half are in California:
By median price, San Jose, California, is the most expensive metro area for U.S. homebuyers for the second year in a row, per a report from SmartAsset.

The 10 most expensive U.S. metro areas to buy a home

And if that stressed you out…

Why protecting your vagus nerve is key to optimal mental health:
It’s the body’s information superhighway that tells your organs how to rest. What is the vagus nerve? Your brain is connected to your body through a set of 12 crucial nerve networks that descend through your spine and branch out into your body. Of these, the vagus nerve is probably one of the most important. Its tendrils influence digestion, your heart, your reflexes and your breathing. So you can see why scientists are so interested in what the vagus nerve does – especially when you consider how all the above affects your mood.

The vagus nerve: Everything you need to know | BBC Science Focus Magazine

Enjoy more sunsets, have more parties and play it forward!

Love,

Neville

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting
something we don’t have,

but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

— Frederick Koenig

Your Soul Food for Friday February 21, 2025: Could Communication Save the World?

by Soul Food Friday, posted in Uncategorized

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Given my penchant to say “yes” to the universe at my own peril, I get many queries about topics of import from all walks of life including from conscious business leaders, non-profit organizations, educators, influencers, wisdom traditionalists, students, neighbors and more…

In the last week, I got a real interesting set of questions with respect to communications specifically:

When working with leaders I talk about recognizing the difference between our assets and weapons.

As I see it, our two greatest assets as leaders are our (a) people and (b) self-reflection.

Our greatest weapon, however, is communication. 

So,

1. How would you create a culture of communication in your brand, businesses, or leadership? 

2. What would be significant communication hurdles you’d look to solve for by doing this?

Here is my response for the good or the order and, if appropriate, to disrupt the freakin’ disorder:

Note: Communications is my passion, discipline, and superpower so as Lynyrd Skynyrd would say, “I know a little ‘bout it, and baby I guess the rest” so please use what’s useful and discard the rest!

Welcome your thoughts too, Soul Food Community of several thousand strong, and got it going on…

Context (for me in the spirit of full transparency):

“Communication is the real work of leadership.”– Nitin Nohria

Even as a practicing lifetime peaceful warrior, steeped in the martial arts traditions for nearly 50 years, I am working hard to take the war language out of communications, as I don’t find it reflective of our current needs as individuals and as a culture, and unintentionally reinforces a command-and-control leadership/adversarial framework v. a collaborative/collective wisdom orientation.

There is a whole body of work around this that is way above my pay grade:

CNVC Founder – Center for Nonviolent Communication

Taking the War Out of Our Words:The Art of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication: Ellison, Sharon: 9780972002103: Amazon.com: Books

My Biases and Orientation Up Front:

  • Western Science and Eastern Wisdom Traditions, they work together
  • Strengths-Based Frameworks not a Deficit Model, we are not motivated by our deficits
  • Leadership is Inside Out not Outside In, its not performative, its authentic- own it!
  • We > Me Collective Wisdom not just Individual Achievement, no one of us is as smart as ALL of us
  • Cultural Competencies not just Success Strategies: “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast” as Peter Drucker famously reminds us

Moving From Problem Solving to the “other” AI- Appreciative Inquiry:

Informed by Positive Organizational Scholarship:

Imagine a world in which almost all organizations are typified by greed, selfishness, manipulation, secrecy, and a single-minded focus on winning. Wealth creation is the key indicator of success. Imagine that members of such organizations are characterized by distrust, anxiety, self-absorption, fear, burnout, and feelings of abuse. Conflict, lawsuits, contract breaking, retribution, and disrespect characterize many interactions and social relationships. Imagine also that scholarly researchers investigating these organizations emphasize theories of problem solving, reciprocity and justice, managing uncertainty, overcoming resistance, achieving profitability, and competing successfully against others.

For the sake of contrast, now imagine another world in which almost all organizations are typified by appreciation, collaboration, virtuousness, vitality, and meaningfulness. Creating abundance and human well-being are key indicators of success. Imagine that members of such organizations are characterized by trustworthiness, resilience, wisdom, humility, high levels of positive energy. Social relationships and interactions are characterized by compassion, loyalty, honesty, respect, and forgiveness. Significant attention is given to what makes life worth living. Imagine that scholarly researchers emphasize theories of excellence, transcendence, positive deviance, extraordinary performance, and positive spirals of flourishing.

Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) does not reject the value and significance of the phenomena of the first world view. Rather, it emphasizes the phenomena represented in the second world view. A focus on competition and profitability in the first world view, for example, is crucial for understanding organizational survival and success. The second world view merely calls attention to phenomena that represent positive deviance—phenomena that have received limited scholarly attention in organizational studies. Most organizational theories and empirical research have, heretofore, adopted assumptions and variables that are more typical of the first world view than the second.

—

That said, I love assets and consider communications a meta competency that transcends and informs other skills that are critical to conscious and authentic leadership.

I consider the trifecta of skill sets, mindset, and heart set to be the building blocks for leadership from within (intrapersonal) and communication a meta competency for connecting, engaging, and influencing others (interpersonal)

This might be all semantics to you, but language matters to me!

With that said here goes…

How would you create a culture of communication in your brand, businesses, or leadership? 

  1. Assess present state

              What is the climate/culture now?

What are the positive deviants already modeling and behaving into the future state?

Is the future state a compelling vision that everyone knows, owns, and is energized by?

Are those modeling the heart/mind/skill sets being affirmed and recognized?

“Leadership is the art of mobilizing others to want to

struggle for shared aspirations.”

—Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner: The Leadership Challenge

  1. Define future state in the language of your tribe

              Having values like trust and integrity or competencies like communications and a service orientation are great but define them in the context of what these actually look like in your enterprise with actual examples.

  1. Make these values a critical component of evaluative and developmental opportunities such as annual reviews, organizational goals, brand stories, etc.

For example, your annual review could have 3 parts; goals, values, and discretionary effort (weighted differently) but all assessed with periodicity. (That’s what we do at Mission Fed…)

  1. Use the Positive Org Scholarship criteria above to continue to help the individuals and org behave into the future state.

If Leadership is a skill, then by definition it can be taught!

Lead each gathering, meeting, training, with a “mission story” that incorporates these elements and integral to your brand experience and differentiation

What would be significant communication hurdles you’d look to solve for by doing this?

  1. Tone at the Top- are senior leaders modeling these behaviors or just asking others to do it?   Am I doing it?

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.

Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” -Rumi

  1. Tolerance for Misalignment- tolerating poor communicators (typically a function of ego-myopia and self-interest v. collective interest) suggesting these are flexible criteria not sacrosanct
  1. Map against the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team (see below)

              For example, a low trust environment breeds negative conditions that preclude moving up the ladder to commitment, accountability, and results.

                                “Preach the Gospel at all times. 

And if you must, use words if necessary.” – St. Francis of Assisi

And then this hit my email box:

How Can You Recognize a Culture of Bad Leadership? Look for 5 Toxic Signs

Hope this provides some wind in your sails as YOU navigate turbulent seas, with your leadership chops at the helm,  communication skills as your rudder, and trust at your keel…

Thaks this week go to Kai H and Jeff H for the prompt, thought leaders Dr. Danny F, Eric K, and Dr. Alan D, as well as Dr. Herb S and Dr. Dan H. at UC San Diego’s Comm Dept.  for the foundational principles and practices in Communications.

Fair winds and Following Seas…

We do get by with a little help from our friends!

Love,

Neville

Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

F: X!

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”

— Peter F. Drucker

Your Soul Food for Friday February 2, 2024: Better Rest, Upskilling Leadership, Mastering a Growth Mindset and Fostering a Great Culture

by Soul Food Friday, posted in Branding, Marketing & Communications, Community Outreach, Education, Leadership Development, Wellness/Energy Work

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

  • Better Rest
  • Upskilling Leadership
  • Mastering a Growth Mindset
  • Fostering a Great Culture

The Seven Forms of Rest and Why You Need All of Them:

The Seven Forms of Rest and Why You Need All of Them | INTEGRIS Health (integrisok.com)

NCPC Mentorship 2.0: Fostering A Community of Practice:

If you are local and want to grow here is a 4-month program I have had the privilege of helping ideate as part of my service on the NCPC Board of Directors to ensure everyone has access and opportunity to upleveling their leadership skills to drive social impact.

The mentors are all amazing and the program is designed to be a value driver for all that participate.

Note: This is the last week to sign up so please help us spread the word!

Mentorship 2.0, Fostering a Community of Practice

The 3 daily tricks Jay Shetty says will help you master a growth mindset and achieve your goals
The 3 steps of growth to set you up for success.

Jay Shetty: 3 tricks for achieving your goals and mastering the growth mindset | Fortune Well

What is Culture with Jon Gordon:

Culture is not one person. It’s everyone.

Culture is not static. It’s dynamic. 

Every day, everyone in your organization creates your culture by what they value, believe, think, say, and do. 

Regardless of what your culture was like last year or even yesterday, what matters most is what you are doing today to build your culture and make it great. 

This past Thursday and Friday I had the honor and opportunity to speak to the Colorado Rockies entire organization. From the Owner, President, GM, Manager and Dominican coaches to athletic trainers, equipment managers, ticket sales, tech, etc. It’s rare for a professional sports team to bring everyone in the organization together, but the Rockies have a rare, special culture filled with amazing people. 

It occurred to me how important it was that everyone in the organization was learning the same principles and practices for enhanced mindset, leadership and teamwork at the same time.

Shared learning experiences like this create a common bond, a common understanding, a common language, and common practices, that reinforce and strengthen the culture and lead to collective growth.

While I’m a big believer of diversity of people, diversity of thought, diversity of ideas and diversity of innovative strategies in an organization, it’s essential to connect and unite around a set of common principles, practices and core values.

For a culture to be strong, everyone in an organization must know what they stand for and live these shared principles and core values.

When a diverse group of people know and show their values consistently together, they are well on their way to creating a culture of greatness and creating great results.

Culture is created and you and your team can create a great culture starting today by what you value, believe, think, say and ultimately do. 

Start by getting together and ask, “What do we stand for and what do we want to be known for?”

Then decide how you will live it and show it.

Thanks this week go to Larry H for the culture article.

Please pay it forward.

Love,

Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108 
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria