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Lead for Good Podcast | John Kobara: Getting Unstuck, Rediscovering Purpose, and Leading with Proximity
What does it really mean to feel stuck as a leader and more importantly, how do you move forward with clarity, energy, and purpose?
In this powerful episode of Lead for Good, host Chris Looney sits down with longtime nonprofit leader and thought partner John Kobara for a deeply reflective and practical conversation on what it takes to get unstuck in leadership and life. Drawing on decades of experience in philanthropy, coaching, and organizational leadership, John challenges conventional thinking and offers a refreshing perspective on purpose, resilience, and impact.
At the heart of the conversation is a simple but transformative idea: proximity matters. John shares why the most effective leaders stay close to the people, communities, and realities they serve and how distance from that truth is often what leads to disconnection and stuckness.
Together, Chris and John explore:
- Why feeling stuck is not a failure, but a natural and necessary part of leadership
- The hidden dangers of certainty and outdated assumptions
- How misalignment between expectations and reality creates frustration and stagnation
- The role of purpose as a source of energy, not just inspiration
- Practical ways to reconnect with what truly matters, including reflection, writing, and stillness
- A simple but powerful framework to reset in moments of stress: Stop. Breathe. Notice. Reflect. Respond.
John also introduces a mindset shift that can change everything: the obstacle is the way. Instead of avoiding challenges, great leaders move toward them with curiosity and openness, using them as a path to growth and clarity.
Whether you are leading an organization, building a fundraising program, or navigating your own career journey, this episode offers both grounding wisdom and actionable insights to help you move forward with intention.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone and that what you’re experiencing may be the very signal that something meaningful is ready to change.
Listen now and rediscover what it means to lead with purpose, energy, and impact.
