Social impact program leaders make the world go ’round

This article wasn’t meant to be an article

Last week I started to draft a LinkedIn post reflecting on conversations held over a period of 11 months with dozens and dozens of social impact program leaders. But I had so much to say that the text ended up exceeding LinkedIn’s post length limitations — so I turned it into an article.

You can read that article here.

This article paraphrases the original, summarizing the key points, before going on to provide some additional context for the conversations held and to offer a resource for results-oriented social impact program leaders looking to effectively prove and improve the difference their programs make — not for its own sake, but so they can:

• optimize programming to make the most meaningful impact;
• tell a credible program story; and
• demonstrate accountability

…and, thereby, attract funding and other investment and support and, ultimately, deepen the positive impact that their program (co-)creates.

Who really makes the world go ’round?

You know how they say love makes the world go around?

Well, I think it’s more like social impact program leaders make the world go around — leaders of small to mid-sized nonprofits, in particular.

Why do I say this?

Well, after spending almost a year focused on conducting research interviews to learn about these leaders’ frustrations, fears, dreams, and goals — specifically when it comes to measuring and reporting on the results and impact of their programs on the people and communities they serve — I gained a deep sense of the love that drives their efforts.

It is out of their love and care — for a particular set of people or community or environment — that they are propelled into action. It’s what invites them into each day with purpose. And it’s out of love that they shed blood, sweat, and tears (and more) to realize their vision of a better world, starting with the piece of the planet that they serve.

And when we consider the number of people nonprofits serve and that they “feed, heal, shelter, educate, nurture, and inspire people of every age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status” (National Council of Nonprofits, 2019), it’s difficult to not conclude that social impact program leaders make the world go round!

(The above text paraphrases the article ‘Nonprofit leaders make the world go around’ (Shejavali, K. 2025).)

Why I reached out to have the conversations

The conversations I held with the social impact program leaders didn’t take place in a vacuum. They represent my values in action, particularly my value of ‘deep listening’.

All my values, but deep listening in particular, ensure that I gain a rich understanding of what social impact program leaders, the folks I serve, are going through. And, since I also make it a point to continuously hone my craft as well as engage with funders about their expectations, my values-in-action practices equip me to deliver robust (but not rigid!) and practical solutions.

Putting my values into action also helps me take program results measurement and reporting from an extractive exercise to a giving opportunity. One that simultaneously honors the gifts that everyone brings to the table, aligns with principles of data justice, and nudges me to do all that I can to help my clients thrive without an ongoing need for my direct involvement.

What the conversations have changed in my perspective on, and approach to, the work I do — and a related resource

The shift that the conversations have enabled

The conversations I held with the social impact program leaders left me enriched and inspired (and it was gratifying to hear them say that speaking with me was of enormous value to them, too!).

But of course things won’t end there.

I’m applying what I learned from those conversations to support my clients in a much more transformational way. I’ve always believed in the promise held by generating results evidence to elevate the efforts of social impact program implementers. Now, thanks to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of program leaders’ most deep-seated needs and desires, I can deliver my services even more powerfully.

So, what is the promised transformation?

For those who choose to work with me through my upcoming live-delivery course, this is the promised transformation:

To help results-oriented social impact program leaders* who want to prove and improve their program’s effectiveness and attract consistent funding/investment and other strong partnerships

…go from…

feeling frustrated by program results measurement and reporting practices that don’t adequately capture and convey the difference their program makes and/or uncertain that their program results measurement and reporting practices meet expected standards

…to…

being equipped with a structured framework and streamlined strategy that, when implemented, provides clear, credible, meaningful, and actionable insights into program effectiveness

…so that they can…

optimize programming and confidently communicate a credible and compelling program story

…and thereby…

stand out to funders and other partners as a trustworthy entity deserving of consistent investment, enhance the livelihood and vitality of their organization, and, ultimately, deepen their program’s positive impact on the people and places they serve.

Curious to learn more?

If you’re a makes-the-world-go-round social impact leader who’s curious about what going on that journey entails, grab the 3 no-hassle first steps towards effective program results measurement and communication… guide, and I’ll see you on the other side!

Note for the asterisk

*Specifically nonprofit executives, corporate social responsibility (CSR) program directors, and team leaders of international development programs. I’m especially interested in working with those whose programs serve youth, women, and/or the environment.

References:

National Council of Nonprofits. 2019. Downloadable Charts and Figures from National Council of Nonprofits. Web page. Available at https://www.nonprofitimpactmatters.org/data/downloadable-charts/ (accessed: May 2, 2025).

Shejavali, K. (2025, May 2). Nonprofit leaders make the world go around. Blog article. LinkedIn Pulse. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nonprofit-leaders-make-world-go-around-kandi-shejavali-odr0e (accessed: May 5, 2025).

Photo credit:

Kandi Shejavali using Canva AI

Suggestion for how to cite this article (using APA 7 style):

Shejavali, K. (2025, May 5). Social impact program leaders make the world go ’round. Blog article. RM3 Consulting. Available at: https://rm3resources.com/blog/social-impact-program-leaders-make-world-go-round (accessed: [insert the date that you last accessed the article]).