Earn the right to go wide: What I've learned about authentic leadership

In the world of social impact, leadership isn’t just about managing people and resources; it’s about owning the challenges, embracing the solutions, and having a relentless passion for change. It’s about being an authentic leader.

My Journey in the Social Impact Arena

I’ve always been deeply rooted in the social enterprise sector, but my journey as a leader truly began when I took the helm as CEO of the environmental social enterprise, ReZolve. Those early days were filled with uncertainty, mistakes, and a thirst for learning. It was a journey without a playbook, a path filled with challenges and limited support. But it was precisely these experiences that I believe made me the person I am today, and able to support others through that journey.

The Day-to-Day Challenges

As a social impact leader, I faced a spectrum of day-to-day challenges that might resonate with many of you—managing cash flow, leading diverse teams, attracting funding, and keeping stakeholders satisfied. These challenges are not unique, but they’re uniquely critical to our mission-driven organisations.

Navigating Challenges with Authentic Leadership

So, how did I navigate these challenges and transform ReZolve into a thriving force for environmental change, which it was for a number of years, winning awards and major contracts, helping people back from the brink and protecting the environment.

It all started with building a robust team, a process that demanded time and energy and took a number of years, with a number of failures along the way, and some amazing stories which one day I may write a book about! Including the serial business fantasist we nearly sold out to, the fraudster and the racehorses!

Beyond that, it was about inspiring a shared sense of purpose, so every member of our team knew why they turned up to work. It was actually a colleague who really brought this home to me one day when he said “Jon, you need to restate the mission”. I didn’t really see what he was talking about at first, but he went on to say he felt the team needed a pick-up and they needed a few positive words and reminders of the difference they were making. Obvious stuff, but critical, and clearly I hadn’t done that enough. So from then on, I have always tried to remember to restate the mission at every opportunity. Thanks Alan!

We also created innovative projects that aligned with our mission, capturing the hearts of funders who believed in our vision. This was about the art of the possible, and often the old adage of ‘fake it til you make it’, making people believe in us, even though we hadn’t necessarily worked out how we were going to make it work!

Finally, we engaged stakeholders and encouraged them to take ownership of our impact. What I mean by that, is recognising that some people like to take the credit for your work, and knowing when to let them is crucial. It might feel counterintuitive, after all, what impact have they really had on your success, but the reality is, some people like to feel important, and knowing when and how to make them feel like that, can lead to bigger things down the line. So don’t be afraid to let others bask in your glory. After all, social impact leaders don’t do it for the limelight. They do it because they want to make a difference.

Authentic Leadership in the Social Impact Sector

Authentic leadership, especially in the social impact sector, isn’t about just being a good manager—it’s about connecting with a deep, personal sense of purpose. It’s about having a fire in your belly, eyes that light up when you talk about the change you want to create and a broad experience of the challenges you’re addressing. It’s about knowing “why” you’re doing it and the difference it will make.

Impact on BCause

My journey as a leader has fundamentally shaped the way we offer our social impact services through BCause. Because I’ve walked in the same shoes as many of the leaders I now support, I bring practical insights, empathy, and solutions to the table. BCause isn’t your typical consultancy; it’s a critical friend, an extension of your team, offering guidance, support, and, most importantly, an unwavering commitment to your purpose.

Uniquely Qualified to Support Others

What sets BCause apart is authenticity. I’ve been where you are—I’ve faced the challenges, experienced the highs and lows, and understand the importance of staying true to your values. I share your purpose, and that’s why we’re uniquely qualified to support your journey towards greater impact.

Client Success Stories

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many organisations, like Par Track Ltd as an example, witnessing their transformation from an idea to a thriving community hub. These success stories reinforce the belief that authentic leadership, backed by practical experience, can drive tangible change.

Par Track was an undervalued and underloved facility owned by the council. Left to decline, it was at real risk of being sold for development until a merry band of folk from the community got together to see what they could do. I stepped in to help and over a period of 2-3 years helped them acquire the site from the council, develop a business plan, attract over £1m of funding and revitalise the site into a thriving community health hub. With new facilities and a community cafe, Par Track is thriving and a great example of the kind of support BCause can provide to social enterprises with ambition.

But what started as a transactional relationship quickly transformed into a business friendship, one that became deeply personal, and more than a project. I ended up volunteering my time for a long while, before eventually walking away knowing it was in safe hands. But good things often go full circle and I’m proud to now be supporting them again, professionally, but with a definite sense of alignment and understanding that will hopefully again lead to renewed success.

Key Lessons in Authentic Leadership

My business leadership journey has been unique, non-linear, and eclectic some might say, but here are some key lessons I’ve learned on my journey which I believe are valuable for all business leaders, irrespective of structure:

Be clear on the ultimate change you want to see. Make sure you have a Theory of Change that all stakeholders have been involved in.
Restate your mission regularly to keep your team aligned – jump on that soap box and tell the team why they are important and where you’re headed.
Be courageous—impact requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Ask Matt Hocking FRSA , he knows!
Build a strong team that complements your strengths and weaknesses. Being honest about what you’re not good at is as important as knowing your strengths. That’s why Justin Olosunde FRGS was such a rock!
Own it – make sure someone always takes responsibility…and if nobody puts their hand up…it’s down to you…because you’re a doer! Thanks Stephen Babb
Hold true to your values and intuition. If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Don’t be persuaded to do something if you’re not sure. Take a step back and reflect. Phone a friend! Who would you phone? I’d call David Fowle
Focus on what you do well and create a unique selling proposition. Be different in the market. Plenty of people want to create an impact. Why is what you do any different?
Earn the right to go wide. A rugby phrase that means do the hard stuff first, get it right, then when you have the basics sorted, you can be creative and chuck the ball wide to the winger to score in the corner! Isn’t that right Eoghan Grace !
Simplify your message so that anyone can understand it. If the bloke down the pub doesn’t understand what you do, after a quick explanation, then what hope have you got of getting your message across? Tell’em Jenny Bishop !

In conclusion, authentic leadership isn’t just about leadership; it’s about purposeful leadership. It’s about being real, being passionate, and being committed to the impact we want to create in the world. If you’re seeking support on your journey to make a difference, remember that BCause is here to be your critical friend, your partner in purpose, and your guide to authentic leadership in the world of social impact.

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