When I first heard that Rick Harris went from being a radio DJ to leading a global association, I felt curious. Those two careers couldn’t seem more different. But as I listened to his story, the through-line became so clear: people.

Rick has spent more than three decades in the nonprofit world and now serves as CEO of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP). His path is unconventional, but what really stands out is the way he leads – with empathy, fairness, and a deep belief in the power of relationships.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build stronger teams, keep great people, or lead with more humanity, Rick’s story will give you a fresh lens on what real leadership looks like.

Every Conversation Matters

Rick believes you can learn something from absolutely anyone: a congressperson, a colleague, or even the stranger sitting next to you on a plane. That belief has shaped not only his leadership style, but his career.

He shared the story of how one ordinary night at a restaurant changed everything. He was newly out of radio, flipping through the classifieds, when a woman struck up a conversation with him. Within days, he had landed his first job in association management – a role that would grow into a decades-long career leading people and industries forward.

That one encounter reminded me how much of life comes down to being willing to engage. You never know where a simple “hello” might lead.

The Power of Simple Communication

We all know the overwhelm that comes from trying to keep up with Slack, Teams, emails, DMs, and everything else. Rick’s take? Keep it simple. He encourages his staff to just pick up the phone or send an email.

And the reason goes deeper than efficiency. Real conversations create context. They help you understand when someone’s distracted because they’re going through a hard season, or when a spark of excitement means they’ve got a new idea worth exploring. A quick call reveals what a text never could.

Listening to him, I realized how often I default to the “easiest” form of communication when what really builds trust is the most human one: talking.

Fair Pay as a Leadership Practice

One of the most powerful things Rick shared was how he approaches hiring and pay. At APMP, salaries are posted and non-negotiable. No back-and-forth. No one wondering if they should have pushed harder.

Growing up with three sisters, he saw how women were consistently paid less despite being just as qualified. When he finally had the authority to change that pattern, he did. Now, every candidate knows they’ll be paid fairly for their role, no matter who they are.

Hearing that gave me chills. It’s such a simple shift, but one that changes everything about how people experience their workplace. And the results speak for themselves. His team has remarkable retention and a reputation for fairness.

Retention Through Respect

Rick has led APMP for over 15 years, and in all that time, only a handful of employees have left. Most who did moved into leadership roles at other organizations (which says a lot about the culture he’s built).

What struck me most is how he sees himself: not as “the boss,” but as a colleague who happens to lead. That perspective makes it safe for people to share bold ideas, even ones that sound risky at first. Some of those “risky” ideas have gone on to bring in record revenue and transform member engagement.

It made me pause and think about how often great ideas never see the light of day because people don’t feel safe sharing them. Rick’s story is proof that when leaders listen, everyone rises.

For me, this conversation was such a reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be complicated. When you focus on fairness, empathy, and relationships, the rest really does follow.

If you’ve ever wanted to build a stronger team, keep your best people, or just lead with more heart, this episode of Business Origin Stories is packed with wisdom you’ll want to carry into your own work.

🎧 Want to hear Rick’s full story? Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.