Rick Lochner – Connecting the Work to the Mission

Rick Lochner is the President and CEO of RPC Leadership Associates, a leadership and business consultancy that helps develop entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit board members, and professionals. He honed his skills while serving 11 years in the military, leading soldiers in challenging environments worldwide. Upon leaving the Army, Rick spent the next 18 years in corporate leadership, ranging from frontline management to senior executive management. He successfully led organizations in Fortune 100 corporations and privately held entrepreneurial ventures in various industries.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[2:21] Rick Lochner discusses his leadership journey and the founding of RPC Leadership Associates
[3:51] The importance of connecting daily work to an organization’s mission
[6:25] Why operational leaders struggle to think strategically
[9:04] Common nonprofit misconception
[11:19] Why focusing on programs alone won’t solve systemic issues like racism
[14:23] Rick shares ideas for partnering with other organizations to build client independence
[17:17] How current funding challenges are pushing nonprofits to rethink their strategies
[20:13] Distinguishing between outputs, outcomes, and true impact
[26:50] Addressing DEI concerns in the wake of changing federal funding policies

In this episode…

Many nonprofit leaders find themselves consumed by day-to-day operations, focusing heavily on programs and tactical work while losing sight of their organization’s core mission. As federal funding landscapes shift and competition for resources intensifies, the gap between daily tasks and long-term strategic goals widens. How can leadership teams ensure their work remains aligned with the mission to drive true, sustainable impact?

Rick Lochner, an expert in leadership and strategic thinking, emphasizes that senior nonprofit leaders must prioritize connecting their work to their organization’s mission. He suggests moving beyond measuring outputs and focusing on creating measurable impact through strategic thinking and mission-driven initiatives. In addition, he emphasizes the importance of fostering independence among those served, encouraging partnerships with other organizations, and building leadership teams capable of operating at a strategic level. Rick also stresses the importance of diversifying funding sources and maintaining a human-centric culture, even amid policy shifts like reduced federal DEI funding.

In this episode of the Mission Matters Podcast, Paul Feith interviews Rick Lochner, President and CEO of RPC Leadership Associates, about aligning nonprofit work with mission-driven impact. Rick explores the dangers of focusing solely on programs, the need for strategic leadership, and the importance of fostering independence. He also discusses funding diversification, the impact of DEI policy changes, and the value of coaching for nonprofit leaders.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“You don’t end hunger by feeding people. Feeding people should lead to other programs that help.”
“Processes will produce outputs, systems will produce outcomes, but only people can produce that impact.”
“The military is one of the most diverse and inclusive organizations on the planet.”
“If you don’t have the right people on your team, then you’re already behind.”
“You don’t end racism with programs. Programs by themselves will not end racism.”

Action Steps:

Prioritize strategic thinking in leadership meetings: Senior leaders must regularly step back from operational work to focus on long-term mission alignment to ensure the organization remains relevant and impactful.
Connect all programs directly to the mission: Leadership teams should consistently evaluate how each program advances the organization’s core mission to prevent focusing on outputs without achieving meaningful outcomes.
Build cross-sector partnerships to foster client independence: Collaborating with other organizations can provide comprehensive solutions that empower clients toward self-sufficiency and sustainable impact.
Diversify funding sources to reduce dependency: Relying heavily on federal or single-source funding places the organization at risk, so a diversified funding base provides greater stability.
Invest in leadership coaching and peer accountability: Objective coaching and leadership development can strengthen strategic capabilities and support leaders in transitioning from operational to strategic roles.

Sponsor for this episode…

Today’s episode is sponsored by Paul Gregory Media, an 18-year-old digital marketing agency in downtown Naperville, Illinois.

They are one of the few thousand Certified B Corporations worldwide, demonstrating PGM as a leader of a global movement to use business as a force for good, meeting high standards of accountability, transparency, and community involvement. They have been trusted by hundreds of organizations since 2006.

PGM is recognized as one of the top marketing agencies in the region, earning more awards than many of its competitors combined. They have the passion, commitment, and expertise to get it done.

To learn more about the services PGM offers or how they can support you with your marketing needs, visit www.paulgregorymedia.com or email them at [email protected].