Mission 501: The Podcast

By: Ryan Aldrich
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  • Summary

  • Mission 501: The Podcast explores the psychology of work — with a nonprofit twist. Host Ryan dives into workplace theories, nonprofit people dynamics, motivation, professional development, teamwork, leadership, staff retention, and more. Most episodes are short solo explorations with Ryan, and guests join in for occasional deeper dives.
    2023-2025
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Economics Management Management & Leadership Science Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Episode 7: Goal Model Overview: SMART Goals | OKRs | HARD Goals

    Episode 7: Goal Model Overview: SMART Goals | OKRs | HARD Goals
    May 5 2025

    Setting the right kinds of goals can make or break success—especially in mission-driven work. In this episode of Mission 501: The Podcast, Ryan breaks down three major goal-setting models: SMART goals, OKRs, and HARD goals. Learn what each model offers, where they shine, where they can fall short, and how to choose the right approach for your nonprofit team or personal development.

    📚Resources for Further Exploration 📌 SMART Goals

    • 📖 Creating SMART Goals
      https://www.mindtools.com/a4wo118/smart-goals
      https://www.atlassian.com/blog/productivity/how-to-write-smart-goals

    📌 OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)

    • 📘 “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr
      https://whatmatters.com
      This site offers extensive OKR templates and case studies based on Doerr’s work.

    📌 HARD Goals

    • 📗 “HARD Goals: The Secret to Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be” by Mark Murphy
      Overview and concept summary:
      https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/43579969-hard-goals-vs-smart-goals
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    10 mins
  • Episode 0: Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast!

    Episode 0: Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast!
    Apr 30 2025

    Welcome to Mission 501: The Podcast — where psychology meets work, with a nonprofit twist! In this short intro episode, Ryan shares what the show is all about, what inspired it, and what you can expect in full episodes. If you're passionate about nonprofit organizations, leadership, teamwork, professional development, organizational psychology, or just looking to hear more about workplace dynamics, you're in the right place!


    🔗 Learn more about Ryan and his work: https://mission501.co

    💼 Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/aldrichct

    🎧 Make sure you hit follow and join the mission!
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    2 mins
  • Episode 6: How Goals Work: Unlocking Motivation with Goal Setting Theory

    Episode 6: How Goals Work: Unlocking Motivation with Goal Setting Theory
    Apr 29 2025

    In this episode, Ryan dives into Locke and Latham’s Goal Setting Theory—what makes goals work, and why “just do it” just doesn’t cut it. Whether you're managing teams or setting personal benchmarks, this theory has something to teach about motivation, clarity, and commitment. Listen in for goal-setting insights you can use in any mission-driven setting.

    🎯 Goal Setting Theory

    Developed by Edwin Locke & Gary Latham
    📖 Learn more:

    APA Article (1990): "Work Motivation and Satisfaction: Light at the End of the Tunnel"

    👉 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1990.tb00207.x

    APA Article (2002): “Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation”

    👉 https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0003-066X.57.9.705

    Leadership IQ summary and insights:

    👉 https://www.leadershipiq.com/blogs/leadershipiq/goal-setting-theory-locke-latham

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    11 mins

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