Bridging Performance & Purpose
My work is dedicated to improving results in the social sector.
How I Work
I work with leaders across nonprofits, foundations, companies, and sectors to move from fragmented, siloed efforts to coordinated action that drives better results and greater impact.
Here’s how I do it:
1) Cohort Learning Programs
Cross-organizational | Sector-wide capacity building.
I bring together people who don’t normally talk into cohort-based learning experiences.
Imagine a group of 10 - 20 leaders from your region, sector, or portfolio coming together around a pressing topic (e.g., Data & Storytelling), they meet monthly over the course of a year to exchange best practices, share resources, and implement the latest practices into their organizations.
Each cohort includes:
Monthly, skill-based workshops on pressing topics and challenges
Peer learning and shared problem-solving
Practical tools they apply during the program
Ongoing accountability and follow-through
Collaboration across organizations and sectors
The result goes beyond learning, participants build relationships, share resources, and see best-practices in action, not isolation.
2) Compassionate Conversations for Leadership Teams
Leadership teams | Internal alignment.
I help leadership teams work through spoken and unspoken tension—so they can operate with greater trust, and effectiveness.
This work takes place over a structured series of facilitated conversations, where teams:
Address underlying friction and misalignment
Have honest, direct conversations in a supported environment
Build a deeper understanding of how they communicate and make decisions
Establish clearer, more effective ways of working together
Rather than relying on frameworks or leadership lessons alone, this process creates space for the conversations that need to happen.
The result is a more aligned, functional team, able to communicate better and move forward without friction slowing them down.
3) Strategic Planning
Organizational clarity | Direction, strategy, & results.
I help organizations turn mission into clear strategy, strategy into coordinated action and action into results.
I work with leadership teams to:
Gather and synthesize key insights from team members, boards, clients, funders, and community stakeholders
Facilitate teams to set clear goals, priorities, and measurable outcomes
Align teams around a shared direction
Build practical roadmaps for who, when, and how you get results
Let’s chat.
I’d love to hear what you and your team are working on. Shoot me a message and we’ll set up a call.
Past Partners
MIT
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TED | Ideas change everything
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Mastercard Foundation
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Harvard
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U.S. Department of State
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George Mason University
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Amazon
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Accenture
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Gates Foundation
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Unsettled
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Johnson & Johnson
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MIT • TED | Ideas change everything • Mastercard Foundation • Harvard • U.S. Department of State • George Mason University • Amazon • Accenture • Gates Foundation • Unsettled • Johnson & Johnson •
About Michael.
Michael Youngblood is a facilitator, strategist, and expert on the future of work and social innovation. Over the past decade, he has built and helped organizations and teams align around purpose, culture, and strategy. His work centers on how people find meaning and direction in times of uncertainty and change.
Michael is the co-founder of Unsettled, an award-winning global travel company recognized for innovation in travel and experiential design. He has advised Fortune 100 companies on remote work and leadership development, taught entrepreneurship and globalization on behalf of the U.S. State Department, and served as Managing Editor of Innovations Journal, a publication about entrepreneurial solutions to global challenges co-hosted by MIT, Harvard, and George Mason University.
His work and ideas have been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Outside Magazine, Entrepreneur, TED, MIT Press, and more. He is a member of the inaugural TED Residency, a member of Sandbox, and a speaker and workshop leader on purpose, innovation, community, and the evolving nature of work.
How To Get In Touch
I love to hear what you and your team are working on. Shoot me a message at the link below, and we’ll set up a call to meet.
Let’s Do Big Things Together.
Strategic Planning
I help teams rediscover their why and translate it into a clear, actionable strategy. My approach blends purpose and performance. I take a human-centric approach to strategic planning. First, we rediscover your organization’s True North by listening to your leadership, stakeholders, team, and community. Then we co-create a plan. Next, and this is where I excel, I facilitate quarterly meetings with your leadership to set, track, and learn from mission-aligned goals.
Communications & Marketing
I help organizations communicate their mission in ways that inspire people to care, engage, and give. My approach blends storytelling and strategy. I take a human-centered approach to communications. First, we listen to your leadership, donors, and community to understand what truly resonates. Then we refine your core message and narrative. Next, we translate that story into practical communications tools—from websites to newsletters—that strengthen engagement and support for your work.
Facilitation & Convening
I help teams create the space for meaningful conversation, alignment, and progress. My approach blends thoughtful facilitation with practical outcomes. I take a human-centered approach to group dialogue. First, we identify the conversations your organization needs most—whether around strategy, leadership, or collaboration. Then I design and facilitate workshops, retreats, or key gatherings that bring the right people into the room. Next, and this is where I add the most value, I help translate those conversations into shared understanding, clearer priorities, and forward momentum.