Buddy Teaster - How To Rebuild Trust, Culture, and Strategy After Mismanagement
Thu Feb 05 2026
Buddy Teaster is the President and CEO of Soles4Souls, a global nonprofit that creates opportunities for people through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. As a thought leader, speaker, and author, he has written books on leadership and social impact and hosts a podcast about purpose-driven leadership. Before Soles4Souls, Buddy held executive roles in business and nonprofit organizations, including the National Association of Local Advertisers and Executive Business Services (EBS).
In this episode… Major decisions often arise when the path forward is unclear — when the numbers don't add up, the pressure mounts, and leadership is tested. In those moments, performance depends less on having perfect answers and more on having the courage to face reality and rebuild with intention. How can leaders push through uncertainty and turn a struggling organization into something sustainable?
According to purpose-driven leader Buddy Teaster, the first step is radical transparency: focusing on actual cash flow, telling the truth about challenges, and creating systems that keep everyone aligned. He also highlights the role of trusted peer communities like EO, where vulnerability, mentoring, and one-on-one connections help leaders navigate tough seasons. Together, these practices show how discipline and openness create the foundation for mission-centered leadership that can withstand uncertainty.
In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls, to discuss leading through organizational turnaround to catalyze impact-driven growth. Buddy talks about rebuilding transparency after a financial crisis, shifting from transactional models to deeper partnerships, and launching bold new programs during uncertainty.
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Buddy Teaster is the President and CEO of Soles4Souls, a global nonprofit that creates opportunities for people through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. As a thought leader, speaker, and author, he has written books on leadership and social impact and hosts a podcast about purpose-driven leadership. Before Soles4Souls, Buddy held executive roles in business and nonprofit organizations, including the National Association of Local Advertisers and Executive Business Services (EBS). In this episode… Major decisions often arise when the path forward is unclear — when the numbers don't add up, the pressure mounts, and leadership is tested. In those moments, performance depends less on having perfect answers and more on having the courage to face reality and rebuild with intention. How can leaders push through uncertainty and turn a struggling organization into something sustainable? According to purpose-driven leader Buddy Teaster, the first step is radical transparency: focusing on actual cash flow, telling the truth about challenges, and creating systems that keep everyone aligned. He also highlights the role of trusted peer communities like EO, where vulnerability, mentoring, and one-on-one connections help leaders navigate tough seasons. Together, these practices show how discipline and openness create the foundation for mission-centered leadership that can withstand uncertainty. In this episode of The Decision, Robert Hartline and Eric Jackson sit down with Buddy Teaster, President and CEO of Soles4Souls, to discuss leading through organizational turnaround to catalyze impact-driven growth. Buddy talks about rebuilding transparency after a financial crisis, shifting from transactional models to deeper partnerships, and launching bold new programs during uncertainty.