Leadership in a Polarized World (VIDEO)

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Leadership in a Polarized World (VIDEO)

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In this episode of The Unscripted Leader, host Steve Margerin sits down with civic leader and nonprofit founder Libby Stegger for a powerful conversation about leadership, community, and navigating complexity in today’s divided world.

Libby shares her journey from earning an MBA at Yale to dedicating her career to nonprofit and civic leadership. Together, Steve and Libby explore how leaders can build trust across differences, develop sustainable organizations, and stay energized while managing growing demands.

From youth civic engagement to building earned-revenue models and hiring at the “edge,” this episode delivers practical insight for founders, executives, and emerging leaders alike. If you’re looking to lead with clarity, purpose, and resilience, this conversation is for you. Guest Introduction: Libby Stegger is the founder and Executive Director of Civic Bridges and the CEO of Peer Partners. A Yale School of Management MBA graduate, Libby has spent her career in the nonprofit and civic sectors, leading statewide programs and building cross-sector partnerships. She is passionate about developing young leaders, strengthening democratic culture, and helping organizations thrive through collaboration and trust. Key Takeaways:

Leadership requires energy, creativity, and intentional self-awareness.
Sustainable organizations start with a clear mission and strong financial structure.
Hiring “at the edge” helps leaders stay ahead of growth challenges.
Founders must recognize their skill gaps and empower strong team members.
Civic engagement extends beyond politics into everyday leadership.
Building trust and curiosity across differences strengthens communities.

Chapter Markers: 0:00 Welcome to The Unscripted Leader 0:50 Introducing Libby Stegger 1:55 America’s Future Summit overview 3:15 Youth civic engagement and leadership 5:20 Private vs. nonprofit leadership paths 6:50 Libby’s MBA and career journey 8:20 Organizational structure and mission 9:55 Revenue models in the social sector 11:20 Hiring at the edge of growth 12:45 Founder capacity and complexity 14:10 Building strong leadership teams 15:30 Finding your leadership “sweet spot” 17:00 Little “d” democracy explained 19:10 Community-level engagement 21:00 Navigating conflict productively 23:15 Leadership and emotional intelligence 25:00 Final reflections and advice End: Closing remarks Keywords: The Unscripted Leader podcast, Steve Margerin, Libby Stegger, civic leadership, nonprofit leadership, democracy building, leadership development, founder mindset, organizational growth, community engagement, sustainable leadership, executive coaching, nonprofit management, leadership podcast Pull Quotes: “Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself — it’s about knowing when to let great people lead.”

“A healthy democracy starts with everyday leaders choosing curiosity over division.”

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