Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

How to Move From Providing Job Security to Career Security

Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Show Notes

Steve Cadigan

In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Dr. Rob Harter speaks with Steve Cadigan, talent strategist, author of Workquake, and LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer. Steve shares how the employer-employee relationship has changed dramatically in recent years, especially as AI, remote work, frequent career changes, and shifting expectations around purpose and flexibility continue to reshape the workplace.

Steve explains why nonprofit leaders can no longer rely on traditional ideas of long-term retention or job security. Instead, he encourages leaders to offer “career security” by helping employees grow, learn, and become better prepared for an uncertain future. For nonprofits, this shift creates a powerful opportunity to attract mission-driven talent, build stronger alumni relationships, redesign roles for shorter talent cycles, and create cultures where people want to contribute deeply—even if they do not stay forever.

Key Topics Include:

Why the “workquake” is changing how leaders recruit, retain, and develop talent

The difference between job security and career security

How nonprofit leaders can build stronger talent strategies in a short-tenure workplace

Why employees are increasingly loyal to learning, growth, and purpose

How nonprofits can attract people in career transition through “tour of duty” roles

The value of alumni communities and maintaining relationships with former employees

Why reverse mentoring can help younger employees contribute, grow, and stay engaged

Mentioned in This Episode:

Steve Cadigan’s website: https://stevecadigan.com

Steve Cadigan’s book, Workquake: https://stevecadigan.com/workquake/

Steve Cardigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cadigan/

This Episode is Sponsored By:

DonorBox

Links to Resources:

Interested in Leadership and Life Coaching? Visit Rob’s website: RobHarter.com

Find us on YouTube: Nonprofit Leadership Podcast YouTube Channel

Suggestions for the show? Email us at [email protected]

Request a sample coaching session: Email Rob at [email protected]

Subscribe and Share Listen and subscribe to the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or Amazon. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with other nonprofit leaders!

More from Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

Oct 11, 2026

This is repost of a previously published episode. In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Aidan Reilly, co-founder of The Farmlink Project, a nonprofit that began as a college passion project and grew into a national food recovery movement. What started in 2020 as two friends trying to make a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolved into a logistics powerhouse that has since delivered over 350 million pounds of food—soon to be half a billion.

Sep 27, 2026

This is repost of a previously published episode. 2020 skyrocketed the move to online giving for all donors who give to nonprofits. Organizations who already had a clear and robust process for donors to give online really benefited—those who didn’t, really struggled. They struggled to keep their giving on par with previous years. Now, the question for all nonprofits of how to “future-proof” fundraising is constantly on our collective minds. So how does your organization go about doing that? Rob’s guest shares some fascinating data points gleaned from a recent report on the “state of philanthropy” within the nonprofit sector and why an easy and efficient online giving experience for your donors is absolutely essential for your organization’s future success and sustainability.

Sep 13, 2026

This is repost of a previously published episode. In this episode, Dr. Rob Harter sits down with Dan Pallotta—renowned author, TED Talk speaker, and social impact provocateur—to discuss what it really takes to solve the world’s biggest problems. Known for challenging the status quo in the nonprofit sector, Dan pushes listeners to think beyond conventional limitations, urging nonprofit leaders and donors alike to reimagine what’s possible when we truly embrace bold, audacious goals.

See all episodes →