Episodes

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Alden Mills, former Navy SEAL platoon commander and Co-Founder and C.E.O. of Perfect Fitness, an Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company. Alden Mills is also the best-selling author of Be Unstoppable: The 8 Essential Actions to Succeed at Anything and Unstoppable Teams: The Four Essential Actions of High-Performance Leadership. In the conversation, Alden Mills discusses his C.A.R.E. framework and the four essential actions of high-perf...

In this episode, Mahan Tavakoli speaks about the leadership lessons we can learn from the woman-led movement for freedom in Iran: Woman Life Freedom, Zan Zendegi, Azadi. Mahan shares why we need to think about power differently in society or organizations. The reasons for a shift away from the old power models based on hierarchies to new power models based on aligned movements. Mahan uses this example to show the need for a change of thinking in organizations with a greater need to align around ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Amelia Dunlop and Ashley Reichheld. Amelia Dunlop is the Chief Experience Officer for Deloitte Digital and a Principal at Deloitte LLP. Ashley Reichheld is a principal at Deloitte Digital and the creator of the HX TrustID. Together they are the coauthors of the newly released book The Four Factors of Trust: How Organizations Can Earn Lifelong Loyalty. In the conversation, Amelia Dunlop and Ashley Reichheld share why trusted com...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David DeWolf. David DeWolf is the Founder, President, and CEO of 3Pillar Global, a digital product development services organization building breakthrough software products that power digital businesses. He is also an Amazon best-selling author of The Product Mindset: Succeed in the Digital Economy by Changing the Way Your Organization Thinks. David DeWolf’s leadership at 3Pillar has been honored by numerous awards, including T...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Patrick McGinnis. Patrick coined the term FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and FOBO (Fear of a Better Option) while attending Harvard Business School. Patrick McGinnis is the author of two international bestsellers, including Fear of Missing Out: Practical Decision-Making in a World of Overwhelming Choice, and the host of the hit podcast FOMO Sapiens. In this conversation, Patrick McGinnis discusses why our need to be included can be...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Paul Zeitz. Paul Zeitz is a physician, epidemiologist, and award-winning global justice and human rights advocate with over 35 years of advocacy experience. As a survivor of early childhood incest, he serves as the interim coordinator of a newly forming global movement to end sexual violence against children and adolescents and Keep Kids Safe. Dr. Zeitz serves as the Executive Director of Build A Movement 2022 and co-leader...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Vitaliy Katsenelson about leading with soul and living a meaningful life. Vitaliy Katsenelson is the CEO of the Denver-based value investment firm IMA. He is also the author of Soul in the Game: The Art of a Meaningful Life. His recent book has received praise from leading thinkers, including Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Ret. General Stanley McChrystal. In the conversation, Vitaliy Katsenelson spoke about the impact of scarcity on...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli discusses how to design a better future of work with Bob Fox, founder of Fox Architects and Publisher of Work Design Magazine. As FOX Architects’ Principal, Bob Fox chairs the firm’s advisory board, focusing on building the firm to design more complex, integrated projects while also helping increase client value. Bob Fox is a leader in the architecture and interior design industry and is well respected for his open-minded and innovative ap...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Lia Garvin. Lia Garvin is the author of UNSTUCK: Reframe Your Thinking to Free Yourself From the Patterns and People that Hold You Back. In the conversations, Lia Garvin shares lessons from her experience working for some of the largest and most influential companies in tech, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, on ways to use reframing to manage difficult situations and get unstuck. Finally, Lia Garvin shares thoughts on ov...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Catherine Meloy. Catherine Meloy serves as President and CEO of Goodwill of Greater Washington and the Goodwill Excel Center Adult Charter High School. In the conversation, Catherine Meloy shared why she decided to leave a successful 20+ year management career in the radio industry to join Goodwill in 2003. Next, Catherine Meloy talked about the strength of the Goodwill brand and how she led the rebranding of Goodwill in the Gr...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David McRaney. David McRaney is a science journalist, host of the You Are Not So Smart podcast, and an internationally best-selling author of books, including his latest, How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion. In the conversation, David McRaney shares the origin of his fascination with persuasion and his thoughts on the basis of how we form our beliefs. David McRaney shared examples of psyc...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about one of the biggest challenges he sees in organizations and a struggle for many leaders: holding team members accountable. Mahan shares why outstanding leadership requires accountability and why it's hard to hold ourselves and others accountable. Finally, Mahan shares three leadership practices that can significantly increase accountability in your team. Some highlights: -What makes holding ourselves and others accountable so di...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Chuck Wisner, author of The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact. Chuck Wisner spoke about the power of stories in shaping our lives and interactions with others, the importance of self-awareness, and our egos' role in conversations. Finally, Chuck Wisner shared the four universal types of conversations and how we can maximize the effectiveness of each. Some Highlights: -Chuck Wisner on...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jenny Bilfield. Jenny Bilfield is the President and CEO of Washington Performing Arts (WPA), one of the U.S.'s preeminent multi-disciplinary arts presenters. WPA was the first organization of its kind to receive the coveted National Medal of Arts conferred by President Obama at the White House. In the conversation, Jenny Bilfield shares the origin of her passion for the arts and how her career progressions eventually led her to...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Marlene Chism. Marlene Chism is the leading authority on stopping workplace drama and the author of four books, including her most recent book, From Conflict to Courage: How to Stop Avoiding and Start Leading. In the conversation, Marlene Chism shares what leaders get wrong about conflict, the negative consequences of avoiding conflict, and how to most effectively address conflict by changing our narrative. Some Highlights: -Ma...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rahsaan Bernard. Rahsaan Bernard serves as the President of Building Bridges Across the River (BBAR). This nonprofit organization built and now manages the 16.5 acres of Townhall Health Education Arts Recreation Campus known as THEARC in Washington, DC. BBAR is also building the first elevated park in Washington, the 11 Street Bridge Park Project. In the conversation, Rahsaan Bernard shared the impact of his upbringing in Jamai...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Richard Hua, Global Head of EPIC Leadership and Chief EQ Evangelist at Amazon Web Services. In the conversation, Richard Hua shared his origin story, why he became interested in the power of emotional intelligence, the importance of emotional intelligence to individual and organizational success, and how we can all develop our emotional intelligence EQ. Finally, Richard Hua shared leadership practices for leading with greater e...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rebecca Linder, founder, and CEO of Linder Global Events. Rebecca Linder shares her leadership journey and the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship. Rebecca Linder also shares her thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on the events industry and how technology is reshaping gatherings. Finally, Rebecca shares why expectations for all kinds of meetings have changed and how leaders can rethink gatherings for greater engagement ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Brad Federman, Leadership and Culture Expert, Speaker, Coach, and Author of Cultivating Culture: 101 Ways to Foster Engagement in 15 Minutes or Less. Brad Federman shares how leaders can cultivate a company culture that will help them succeed in creating a two-way dialogue and improving teamwork. Brad Federman also highlighted the eight key focus areas that will amplify values at work to achieve a healthy and productive organiz...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli first acknowledges the 200th episode of the podcast. Mahan then shares his thoughts on the three practices that can help us stay aligned with our purpose: feeling and expressing genuine gratitude, focusing on the gain and not just the gap, and living life in crescendo. Some highlights: - Celebrating 200 episodes of Partnering Leadership, a journey of learning and growth for purpose-driven leaders with a growth mindset - The importance of i...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Cynthia Covey Haller, a teacher, speaker, an active participant in her community and co-author Live Life in Crescendo: Your Most Important Work is Always Ahead of You. Cynthia Covey Haller shares what it means to live life with a crescendo and how to face challenges and opportunities in the middle to later stages of life. Cynthia Covey Haller also tells inspiring stories on how we can enrich the lives of people around us, the c...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Steve Polo, the Managing Partner at OPX, a design consultancy with a mission to help good companies work better. In addition to his leadership journey, Steve Polo shares his unique perspective on how to lead with authenticity and think about the future of the workplace enabling greater human connection and collaboration. In the episode, Steve Polo also talks about leading OPX through the pandemic and leaders' role in employee...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Gustavo Razzetti, CEO and Founder of Fearless Culture, creator of the Culture Design Canvas, and author of Remote Not Distant: Design a Company Culture That Will Help You Thrive in a Hybrid Workplace. In the conversation, Gustavo Razzetti talked about the critical barriers to designing a great organizational culture and shared tools and approaches to intentionally design a great organizational culture. Gustavo Razzetti also s...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Monica Goldson, Chief Executive Officer of Prince George's County Public Schools. In the conversation, Dr. Monica Goldson shared the source of her love for education and why she decided not to pursue accounting and become an educator. Monica Goldson also shared the many challenges in leading the school system during the pandemic and the role the school system had to play in supporting families throughout the pandemic. Final...