19: Building and Managing Teams to Thrive with A.J. Mizes

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast… I talk to my long-time friend, and talent and human potential aficionado with over a decade of experience within Career Coaching and Human Resources, A.J. Mizes. He is my go-to resource when it comes to how to build a strong, healthy, and balanced culture for organizations. AJ and I get to nerd out and go deep on the nuances and strategies behind building a great team while aligning to your mission and hitting your goals. In strong cultures, there are healthy boundaries and psychological safety, and people are not afraid to receive direct and professional feedback. Listen now and learn AJ’s tips and tricks on how to promote a safe, healthy, and productive environment at work.  Plus, AJ gives advice on how to get you in front of the right people and find the perfect fit for you when it comes to job searching.  Episode highlights:  (02:00) - Who is AJ Mizes? A talent aficionado with an unconventional approach to HR work. (05:21) - Maintaining a healthy balance: How HR can make or break a company, plus what is behavior you can tolerate and what isn’t?  (10:45) - Are you fearful of giving feedback?: AJ’s tips and tricks on giving amazing feedback and how to build fruitful one-on-one relationships.  (14:01) - Psychological safety and transparency: Modeling authenticity and vulnerability with your team. (22:45) - How to navigate with resentful leaders: Why grounding in your mission with clarity is absolutely critical to provide stability for your team.  (29:42) - The characteristics of successful teamwork: Hiring diverse perspectives and how to find complementary skills for your team.  (36:48) - What is the right cultural fit for you?: AJ’s best advice for job searching + Some questions to ask during a job interview. (40:56) - Where to find AJ + A shoutout to AJ's favorite nonprofit, Town Hall Theater Lafayette!