Culture & Human Behavior Episodes

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Aidan McCullen, the host and founder of The Innovation Show and author of the book Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life. Aidan shares examples on how organizations and individuals can embrace reinvention in order to become undisruptable. Some highlights: ● Aidan McCullen talks about the reason why most change initiatives fail. ● The transformation of a caterpillar into a b...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Dyke, a partner in the law firm of McGuireWoods LLP. Jim Dyke served as Virginia’s Secretary of Education under former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, and as Domestic Policy Advisor to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mr. Dyke shares lessons learned based on his vast leadership experience. Some highlights: ● Jim Dyke shares how his upbringing impacted his commitment to leadership and a desire to leave a legacy of im...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Doug Dennerline, the president and CEO of BetterWorks, a performance enablement solution company that aligns workforces to the organization's top priorities with their market-leading OKR (Objectives and Key Results) software. Doug Dennerline shares his thoughts on leading with empathy, the transformational power of OKRs and the future of work. Some Highlights: Doug Dennerline on the HP Way, John Chambers and growth at Cisco. H...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis, neuroscientist and former Washington DC council member and chair of the committee on economic development, recounts stories of her father, Dr. Charles Drew, and shares stories of her life as a scientist and politician, and how the intersectionality of her passions empowers her to ask the right questions in solving complex problems and leading a community. Some highlights: Dr. Charles Drew’s life and legacy as the pioneer of blo...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Dan Pontefract, CEO, and Founder of Pontefract Group and author of four books including his most recent book Lead, Care, Win: How to Become a Leader Who Matters. Dan Pontefract shares his thoughts on how to lead with greater humanity, care, and compassion. Some highlights: Dan Pontefract on the pandemic as a potential to reset Dan Pontefract shares how crisis can impact leadership values How to increase employee engagement even...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Lidia Soto-Harmon, CEO of Girl Scouts of National Capital Region, and Chair and a trustee of the Migration Policy Institute. Lidia Soto-Harmon shares her inspiring story, the importance of being open to opportunities and how to lead a purpose driven organization through crisis. Some highlights: ● Lidia Soto-Harmon on the need for generosity in relationships. ● Importance of patience and humility in leadership. ● How leaders...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Kon Apostolopoulos, founder and CEO of Fresh Biz Solutions and the co-author of 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis. Kon Apostolopoulos shares how leaders can lead their organizations through and post-crisis. Some highlights: ● Kon Apostolopoulos shares his perspective on what it takes to lead post-crisis ● How purpose-driven leaders create great organizational culture ● Kon Apostolopoulos talks about the importance of flexibility...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rynthia Rost, former GEICO Vice-President for Public Affairs, and the current executive advisor to IBM International Foundation. Rynthia Rost talks about the importance of finding your voice and using it to impact positive change. Some Highlights: ● How Adler’s management was changed because of young Rynthia Rost’s confidence to speak up. ● The importance of finding your voice and speaking up to advance progress in communitie...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about how leaders can set an example for those they lead through their behaviors. Mahan shares examples of leadership behaviors that aren’t aligned with values and why team members pay attention to the smallest details of leadership behavior to determine values and priorities. Some highlights: What kind of an example do you choose to set? Why leadership example is best shown through actions rather than words Leadership choices an...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Michael Rogers, Former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). Prior to his appointment at COG, Mr. Rogers enjoyed a distinguished career as City Administrator and Deputy Mayor for Operations for the District of Columbia, was Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contracts/Chief Procurement Officer for the City of New York and Vice President/Municipal Services for Ogden Services Corporation...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with John Chappelear, president and founder of Changing the Focus and author of the Daily Six, Six Simple Steps to Find the Perfect Balance between Success and Significance. John Chappelear shares how a gift of devastation created the perfect opportunity for him to be a better mentor, a better leader and most of all a better person. Some highlights: John Chappelear shares the difference between success and significance Getting a ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Michelle McQuaid, a best-selling author, workplace wellbeing teacher, and playful change activator. Michelle McQuaid talks about how positive psychology has influenced her perspective on leadership and shares lessons for effectively leading teams and organizations. Some highlights: How Dr. Michelle McQuaid came to positive psychology and the science of behavior change Why and how positive psychology is critical to leader...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Linda Rabbitt, the founder and chairman of Rand Construction, who is recognized as Washingtonian of the Year, and is in Washington's Business Hall of Fame. Linda shares her experiences overcoming breakage and setbacks, and how she used adversity as a motivator to achieve success. Highlights: Why and how Linda Rabbitt started all over again at age 32 Linda Rabbitt’s career at KPMG and how she rose in the organization Linda’s...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about the importance of leading with love and why genuine love is critical to leadership and a core essence of leading as a partner-leader. Some highlights: Mahan Tavakoli builds on the defenition of love and its connection to leadership Four essential factors for leading with love Mahan Tavakoli shares examples of leaders who have shown genuine care and love for their teams in leading their organizations Also mentioned in this ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Steve Harlan, Founder of Harlan Enterprises. LLC, as he shares how he rose through the ranks at KPMG, the role he played on the DC Financial Control Board in turning around Washington DC’s finances and his commitment to the community. Some highlights: Steve Harlan shares the story of his army days and how he ended up becoming an accountant Steve Harlan talks about the importance of asking for help and helping others How Stev...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Howard Ross, Author of Reinventing Diversity, Everyday Bias, and Our Search for Belonging, talks about his background, how he started his own consulting firm, and his work on unconscious bias. Some highlights: The story of Howard Ross’ journey of reinventing himself The influence of his Jewish heritage and the value of his parents in shaping his life and leadership What inspired Howard Ross to write a book about unconscious bias Howard Ross on the i...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Chuck Swoboda, former Chief Executive Officer of Cree, author of Innovator Spirit, and podcast host of Innovators on Tap. Chuck Swoboda speaks in-depth about innovation and how to cultivate it as part of an organization’s culture. Some highlights: Chuck Swoboda talks about his upbringing and how that influenced the kind of leader he came to be Chuck Swoboda shares why he left HP to join Cree The difference between improveme...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Mark Bergel, Co-founder of Shared Humanity Project, talks about his incredible life experiences and shares his profound love for humanity and how it molded his character to be the kind of leader he is now along with his vision to eradicate poverty. Some highlights: Mark Bergel’s upbringing and impact on his service mindset How morality created a foundation for successful leadership Mark Bergel’s life-changing moment How Mark leads the community ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Ximena Hartsock, Co-founder of Phone2action and builder of tech for social good talks about how growing up in Chile and her father gave birth to her activism at an early age, how she battled injustice and hardship in Chile and as an immigrant to the United States and became successful while pursuing her advocacy as a way of life. Some Highlights: Ximena Hartsock on how building a great culture affects a community. How to lead and motivate people to ac...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Rosie-Allen Herring, President and CEO of the United Way NCA and Board Chair of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, talks about leading with purpose, leading the transformation of United Way NCA and reflects on the future leadership of the Greater Washington DC / DMV region. Some highlights: Rosie Allen-Herring shares how her brothers and sisters inspire her to become a better leader Rosie Allen-Herring's experience working at Fannie Mae and leavin...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Elia Gourgouris, founder of Happiness Center and author of 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness and co-author of 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis, A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters. Dr. Elia Gourgouris shares some of his thoughts and perspectives on how we can nurture happiness in ourselves, and use happiness to become better leaders of organizations. Some highlights: Dr. Elia Gourgouris talks...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Shannon Huffman Polson, author of The Grit Factor and CEO of the Grit Institute, talks about her experiences as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, and the lessons learned on grit from women leaders in the US military. Some highlights: The story behind Shannon Huffman Polson being one of the first women to fly an Apache attack helicopter The inspiration behind the book “The Grit Factor” How owning your own story is critical to leadership and grit The...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, David Fagiano, former Chief Operating Officer of Dale Carnegie Training and former CEO of American Management Association, talks about his career, leadership lessons learned, and how he led organizations to achieve significant growth. Some highlights: How David Fagiano started out his career in the mail order business and ended up in a career in the training industry How David Fagiano managed to engage an organization in working towards a shared visio...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Patricia McGuire, the president of Trinity Washington University, talks about how she led the transformation of Trinity, the leadership principles that she has learned, and advice she has for other leaders, as they're looking to lead their organizations through transformation. Some highlights: Pat McGuire shares the story of her early years of activism How Pat McGuire transitioned from law to becoming president of Trinity University Pat McGuire’s rei...