Melissa Lagowski, founder of Big Buzz Idea Group, shares her passion for helping people embrace their voices as leaders, regardless of their role. She believes that when we speak up with intention, we foster stronger, more inclusive teams and organizations. Melissa encourages a mindset of curiosity and reflection, showing how thoughtful dialogue and intentional actions can lead to meaningful impact.

In our conversation, Melissa offers strategies for creating spaces where ideas can flourish and diverse perspectives are valued. She highlights the importance of building trust, preparing thoughtfully, and approaching discussions with care. Her insights remind us that leadership begins with small, consistent steps toward advocating for ourselves and others.

Highlights

1. The Power of Curiosity: Discover how asking thoughtful, open-ended questions fosters deeper conversations and builds understanding.

2. Timing Matters: Learn when and how to address sensitive topics for the greatest impact.

3. Building Relationships: Find out how fostering genuine connections strengthens teams and creates trust.

4. Reflect and Prepare: Explore how self-reflection and preparation can help you express your voice with confidence.

5. Create Psychological Safety: Understand how to cultivate an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued.

Resources Mentioned

The Inspire Your Team to Greatness Assessment (the Courage Assessment)

How can you inspire our team to be more proactive, take ownership and get more done?

You demonstrate and empower The Courage of a Leader. In my nearly 3 decades of work with leaders, I’ve discovered the 11 things that leaders do – even very well-intentioned leaders do – that kill productivity.

In less than 10 minutes, find out where you’re empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done.

https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/

About the Guest:

Melissa Lagowski created Big Buzz Idea Group as a boutique agency to provide management, marketing and event services to nonprofits and associations. She launched the company in November 2004 so nonprofits would have an honest outsourcing partner. Melissa provides full operational support or a la carte services that will allow charitable organizations to run more effectively.

With 34 years of corporate and nonprofit experience, Melissa has consulted national organizations, managed local chapters, provided virtual office assistance to numerous NPOs, launched and executed large fundraisers, conceived innovative and lucrative new programming, coordinated client conferences, workshops dinners, and awards functions.

She manages consulting platforms, mastermind groups and virtual roundtables to assist nonprofits to become self-sufficient and proficient in management.

Her largest project to date is Ribfest Chicago, where she is responsible for every facet of the event including festival promotion, sponsorship development, entertainment booking and vendor procurement and management. The event now draws 70,000 people annually and was featured on Food Network’s “Eating America” with Anthony Anderson (2014).

Melissa is a member and Executive Director of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Chicago Area Chapter.

Finding and Using Your Voice: How Everyone Can Empower Change | Melissa Lagowski

The Courage of a Leader