When a few of our HCO team members headed off to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) Conference this spring, they returned with much more than a notebook full of insights. They brought back a renewed sense of purpose, powerful reminders about what leadership really looks like, and ideas ready to shape how we work—together.

We checked in with leaders to hear about their experiences and what stuck with them the most. Their takeaways were personal, practical, and deeply human.

Redefining “100%”

For Hannah, one of the biggest lessons came from a session on “Coach-like Leadership.” It challenged her to think differently about communication and expectations within her team.

“One concept I want to bring back to the programs I work in is that someone else’s 100% does not look like my own 100%,” she shared. “If the same idea is presented to five people, there could be five different interpretations or actions that result. Collaboration and communication are the best way to ensure we’re all on the same page.”

It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about uniformity—it’s about understanding, trust, and clear communication.

Arielle, one of HCO’s trainers who also attended the session, already shared that Being a ‘Coach-Like’ Leader: Practice Asking More and Telling Less had a significant impact on how she plans to grow as a supervisor. She has brought the concepts to the Training Committee, where they’ve begun exploring ways to integrate this approach into future staff development.

Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time

Emily was especially struck by the idea that feedback doesn’t have to be scary. One speaker emphasized the power of normalizing regular feedback so that it doesn’t feel like criticism, but part of a supportive and empowering culture.

“They encouraged us to make 80% of our feedback positive and only 20% about improvement,” Emily said. “That way, people feel uplifted and are more open to conversations about growth. It creates an environment where feedback builds trust instead of fear.”

It’s a strategy she’s excited to weave into her everyday leadership.

The Power of Perspective

The sessions also sparked personal reflection. For Emily, the most impactful moment came during a talk titled “Belonging Across Generations.”

“It reminded me that just because something isn’t important to me, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to someone else,” she said. “It’s so easy to make assumptions based on where we are in life, but empathy—real empathy—is what makes us better leaders and better people.”

And for Hannah, the session on coach-like leadership offered a powerful quote that stuck with her: “I judge myself based on my intention, but I may judge others based on their impact.” It was a call to check our assumptions, challenge bias, and be more present in how we lead.

Why Attend? “You’ll Leave Inspired.”

All that attended agree—the MCN Conference is more than worth it.

“The sessions at MCN were incredibly valuable, yet the highlight of my day was witnessing the enthusiasm and professional development among the attending leaders. It was truly fulfilling to deepen our connections and see everyone grow together,” shared HCO’s Executive Director, Suzanne Horstman.

“There were so many different experiences and opportunities to explore,” Hannah said. “Every session opened my mind to something new.”

Emily echoed the sentiment: “It’s a great space to hear from other nonprofit professionals who are facing similar challenges but have fresh solutions you might never have considered. It’s a thoughtful, energizing environment that makes you want to jump back into your work and do it better.”

Oh—and one last highlight from Hannah: “We also had a blast in the sensory room!”

At HCO, we believe in growing together—and investing in our leaders is one of the ways we keep learning, evolving, and showing up stronger for the people we support. Thanks to the team for sharing insights and bringing back ideas that will ripple across our programs and people.