November 2025
Character-Based Cultures are Built in the Community
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A few weeks ago, during a Habitat for Humanity build, I watched something small, but powerful, unfold. It was an early and chilly morning. About a dozen of us volunteers gathered around a warming fire of scrap wood that someone made. Most of us had barely finished our coffee, rubbing our hands together to warm up or wake up.
After some initial instructions, we were divided up into groups for the work. We each fumbled around a bit to figure out the tasks we were each given, but then we were off and running. After a while, I stepped back from my work to observe the scene. I saw everyone hard at work, moving from task to task with zero ego, no leadership hierarchy, …everyone just helping each other out to get the work done. Something occurred to me in that moment…
| | President & CEO, Turknett Leadership Group | |
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KATHY DOWLING & EBONIE BAILEY
For those who may not be familiar, how would you describe United Way’s core mission and the communities it serves?
United Way improves lives. What I really love about United Way—and how I’d describe it—is that we’re a convener. We bring together communities, organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and community members across 13 counties. We lead with integrity, responsibility, and vision to address immediate needs while also strengthening systems for long-term success.
Our goal is to help every child unlock their full potential by improving education, healthcare, and economic mobility in the communities where we live. I mentioned earlier a stat that really stays with me: children who grow up in poverty have only a 4% chance of getting out of poverty in their lifetime. That’s staggering. At United Way, we don’t accept those odds. Our work is focused on changing them—so that all children, no matter where they’re born, have the chance to realize their potential and build lives that can sustain themselves, their families, and their communities.
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Volunteer Programs that Employees Can Get Excited About
Jessica Rodell | Harvard Business Review
Across society, volunteerism has been stagnant or trending slightly downward in recent years. In the corporate world, however, it has been on the rise. In fact, paid time off for volunteering is one of the few employee benefits that has increased significantly over the past five years. The benefits of well-designed corporate volunteer programs have been clearly established: They boost productivity, increase employee engagement, and improve hiring and retention, to name just a few. But too often, firms’ programs fall short. In designing their volunteer programs, companies fall prey to common pitfalls: They blindly copy what other firms are doing, prioritize leaders’ pet projects, or pressure employees to participate, essentially making volunteering mandatory. Such errors diminish the value of the programs to the company, employees, and society. Instead, firms should prioritize meaning, balance top-down structure with bottom-up passion, and seek to involve a variety of stakeholders in their initiatives.
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We are thrilled to announce our next in person event!
Join us for an insightful event featuring an engaging executive recruiter and executive coaches as they explore the qualities organizations seek in their leaders, particularly for those looking to ascend to the next level. Our panelists will share their expertise on what organizations prioritize in leadership roles and offer practical strategies on how women leaders can develop the necessary skills and abilities and position themselves for advancement within their organizations.
Listen in as our speaker shares their unique experiences and insights.
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Facilitated by Anne Quiello, M.S., PCC
Senior Consultant & Host of Women in Leadership
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Atlanta Habitat for Humanity
Our President & CEO, Tim Huff, volunteered with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity - North Central GA, to help raise a hurricane-proof home for someone in need.
Experiences like this highlight the power of bridging leadership and service - learning directly from those who protect and serve our community every day.
Thank you, Tim, for always leading with character!
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People Over Profit: Break the System. Live With Purpose
Serial entrepreneur and business visionary Dale Partridge reveals seven core beliefs that create success by putting people first.
Every day major headlines tell the story of a new and better American marketplace. Established corporations have begun reevaluating the quality of their products, the ethics of their supply chain, and how they can give back by donating a portion of their profit to meaningful causes. Meanwhile, millions of entrepreneurs who want a more responsible and compassionate marketplace have launched a new breed of socially focused business models.
Sevenly founder Dale Partridge uncovers the seven core beliefs shared by consumers, starters, and leaders behind this transformation. These beliefs have enabled Dale to build a multimillion-dollar company that is revolutionizing the marketplace
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Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading
The bestselling author, media pioneer, and curator of TED explores one of humankind’s defining but overlooked impulses, and how we can super-charge its potential to build a hopeful future
Let’s face it: Recent years have been tough on optimists. Hopes that the Internet might bring people together have been crushed by the ills of social media. Is there a way back?
As head of TED, Chris Anderson has had a ringside view of the world’s boldest thinkers sharing their most uplifting ideas. Inspired by them, he believes that it’s within our grasp to turn outrage back into optimism. It all comes down to reimagining one of the most fundamental human virtues: generosity. What if generosity could become infectious generosity?
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Corporate Headquarters
100 Crescent Center Pkwy
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30084
(770) 270-1723
Tim Huff
President & CEO, TLG
thuff@turknett.com
(770) 270-1723
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