Innovation vs. Status Quo We’ve all heard the phrase “survival of the fittest” applied to our species and the biological world. Should that not also apply to our organizations? It seems that staying relevant to a changing environment is what Charles Darwin was talking...
Embracing the Outsider: The Benefits of Hiring Beyond Industry Boundaries
As I reflect on my major career shift two years ago from ministry to consulting, and how Next Stage welcomed this “social impact outsider,” to the team, I’m thinking about the mutual ways we’ve benefited from our pairing. I took a risk using my skills and interests in...
Reclaiming Hope: Mental Health in Post-Pandemic Recovery
In the wake of a tumultuous chapter of history, COVID-19’s impact on our nation’s mental health continues to echo through our communities. The aftermath of unprecedented isolation, uncertainty, overwhelming collective trauma and grief has highlighted the...
Unfinished Business: An Expert Perspective on NC’s Healthcare Safety Net
This week’s blog is from Randy Jordan, our Chief Advisor for Impact for Health. Randy is a nationally-known community health expert and thought leader who is committed to strengthening and improving healthcare systems, while ensuring that every individual has...
Community Voice: Passing Fad or Lasting Disruption?
Over the past few months, Next Stage has been developing a new approach to advancing social good — offering workshops and learning management for professionals on a range of topics including movement-building brand marketing, effective forms of collaboration and...
“Inside Out” is the new “Bottom Up”
Hearing the words “bottom up” when we look at how people are viewed, judged or measured can be a trigger for me and others. In my lived experience, I’ve witnessed negative connotations or biased opinions when it comes to the reality or perception of what...