Episodes

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tom Taulli, author of multiple books, including Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction, which serves as the focus of this conversation. Tom Taulli has been developing software since the 1980s. In college, he started his first company, which focused on developing e-learning systems. He also created other companies, including Hypermart.net, which was sold to InfoSpace in 1996. Along the way, Tom has writte...

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies. Troy LeMaile-Stovall has led the organization to cultivate an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. In this conversation, Troy LeMaile-Stovall discusses his upbringing and how it has impacted the kind of leader he is today. He shares how his experience as a Texan and a Catholic has shaped his leadership style and how he looks t...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jennifer Brown, an award-winning thought leader globally renowned for her diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Jennifer Brown is also the author of How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive. In the conversation, In the conversation, Jennifer Brown discusses how her experience as an opera singer has helped her become a successful keynote speaker. She talks about how he...

In this episode, Mahan Tavakoli discusses why open access to powerful conversational chatbots will be viewed in the future as a transformational moment, potentially equaling the wide use and disruptive impact of the internet or smartphones. Mahan shares why artificial intelligence is starting its exponential growth curve and will impact all aspects of our lives and organizations. He uses the introduction of the robust conversational AI platform, ChatGPT as an example of how AI will transform our...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Professor Vanessa Bohns. Dr. Vanessa Bohns is a social psychologist, an award-winning researcher and teacher, and a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. Vanessa Bohns is also the author of the book: You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters. In this conversation, Vanessa Bohns shares insights on how we influence those around us and how to harn...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Stephanie Linnartz, currently President of Marriott International, Inc., the world's largest hospitality company. Last week, Stephanie Linnartz announced that effective February 24, 2023, she will be leaving Marriott to take on the role of President & CEO of Under Armour. Under Armour founder and Executive Chairman Kevin Plank said Stephanie Linnartz was selected after a 7-month search partly because of her digital skills and...

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 speaks with Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, astrophysicist, STEM educator, multi-patented inventor, keynote speaker, and author of A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars. In the conversation, Hakeem Oluseyi shares his journey of overcoming adversities and becoming a leading astrophysicist of this generation. Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi also talked about his ability to explain astrophysics in a way that engages audiences and the value ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Stephen M.R. Covey. Stephen M.R. Covey is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Speed Of Trust, former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, and author of Trust And Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others. Stephen shares why many leaders are still operating with a command and control mindset and the need to develop the mindset and capabilities of becoming trusting and inspiring lead...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Chuck Robb, Virginia's 64th governor from 1982 to 1986 and U.S. senator from 1989–to 2001. Governor Chuck Robb is also the author of In the Arena: A Memoir of Love War and Politics. In the conversation, Governor Chuck Robb shares his story of joining the Marines, being assigned to the White House, serving in Vietnam, and marrying President Lyndon Baines Johnson's daughter, Linda Bird Johnson. Chuck Robb also talked about his...

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 ...

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 ...

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...