Episodes

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Robert Dilenschneider, founder of The Dilenschneider Group and strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies. Robert Dilenschneider talks about the most effective way to use public relations to benefit organizations. Robert also shared the importance of engaging the community and how to use the power of words to more clearly communicate the organization’s message. Finally, Robert Dilenschneider addressed the specific skill sets th...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tara Thiagarajan, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs. Tara Thiagarajan shares studies and insights on mental well-being, its key indicators, and how it influences people and communities. Tara Thiagarajan also highlighted the biggest factors contributing to mental well-being and its impact on economic outcomes. Finally, Tara Thiagarajan talked about Sapien Lab’s latest studies on the current state of the world’s psychol...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Susan McPherson, Founder, and CEO of McPherson Strategies, Serial Connector, Communications Expert, and Author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Business Relationships. Susan McPherson shares the power of building authentic relationships and fostering meaningful connections. Susan also talks about the three phases of proactively connecting with people and how to go beyond our bubb...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Lisa Gable, Former US Ambassador, UN delegate, CEO, and author of Turnaround: How to Change Course When Things Are Going South. In the conversation, Lisa Gable shares how leaders can get their teams and organizations back on track based on her experience as an executive responsible for turnarounds of various organizations. Lisa Gable also shared how turnaround principles can help teams stay aligned with organizational strategy ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talked with Dr. Timothy Clark, the founder and CEO of LeaderFactor and author of Four Stages of Psychological Safety. Dr. Clark has broken down the different stages to ensure psychological safety in teams. Dr. Timothy Clark shares how teams can build on the understanding of each stages in order to boost psychological safety in the workplace. Some highlights: -Dr. Timothy Clark on why leaders cannot be neutral -The skills that leaders ne...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Susan Lacz, principal, and chief executive officer of Ridgewells Catering, shared her leadership journey with Mahan Tavakoli. Susan Lacz spoke about how she has managed the obstacles in her life and has built a successful business that needs to continue changing and adapting through disruption. Susan Lacz also shared why she is so committed to giving back to the community through Ridgwell Catering's support and giving her time and energy to many institut...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Susie Wise, founder and former director of the K12 Lab Network at the Stanford d.school. Dr. Susie Wise is a co-creator of Liberatory Design and author of Design for Belonging. Susie Wise shares the crucial role leaders play in creating feelings of inclusion within their organizations. She also shared practices for reducing chances of othering and increasing a sense of belonging in teams and organizations. Finally, Dr. Susie Wi...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks about the impact of selfie culture on leadership. Mahan shares thoughts on selfie leadership, servant leadership, and partnering leaders' fundamental mindset and behaviors. From storytelling to the pictures on social media, how we think about leadership impacts attitudes and behaviors. Some highlights: -What contributes to selfie leadership -Servant leadership's role in countering selfie leadership -The impact of selfie leaders on ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Kapil Kane, Director of Innovation at Intel China and co-founder of GrowthX- an award-winning corporate innovation accelerator. Kapil Kane shares lessons from his experience at the intersection of technology and innovation working for Apple and Intel. Kapil Kane also shared lessons learned and how teams and organizations of all sizes can encourage innovation and intrapreneurship. Some highlights: -Kapil Kane's start in design...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Leidy Klotz, a professor at the University of Virginia appointed in the Schools of Engineering, Architecture, and Business and author of the book Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less. Leidy Klotz shares some of the reasons why we typically look to add rather than consider subtraction when looking to solve problems and improve systems. Leidy Klotz also discusses how subtraction can benefit leaders of organizations and managers...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Ron Adner, professor, keynote speaker, advisor, and author of Winning the Right Game: How to Disrupt, Defend, and Deliver in a Changing World and The Wide Lens: What Successful Innovators See That Others Miss. Ron Adner talks about his research on why companies fail and what they can do to advance in an era of ecosystem-based disruption. Professor Ron Adner also shares mindsets and frameworks necessary for leaders to develop ne...

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 le...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Ralf Specht, author of Building Corporate Soul: Powering Culture & Success with the Soul System. After two decades with McCann Erickson, Ralf Specht became a founding partner of Spark44, an innovative, industry-first joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover. Under his leadership as CEO, Spark44 grew to a 1,200 people business in 18 countries. In the conversation, Ralf Specht shares how organizations can create an environment where ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks about a critical leadership thinking skill that can be developed by asking ourselves a powerful question. Mahan shares why the complexity of the world requires us to rethink our approach and why asking better questions leads to better answers. Finally, Mahan talks about the power of this question for teams and team decision-making, as well as enabling leaders to demonstrate genuine humility, maturity, and confidence. Some highlight...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carolyn Dewar. Carolyn is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, McKinsey's Global Practice Leader for CEO & Board Excellence, and co-author of the book CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest. In the conversation, Carolyn Dewar shared how the authors identified the world's highest-performing CEOs using empirical data and determined the six mindsets that set the best apart. The six mind...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Phil de Picciotto. Phil is the founder and president of Octagon and has been at the forefront of the sports, music, and entertainment industry for more than 35 years. In this conversation, Phil de Picciotto shared what led to his initial commitment to social justice, eventually pursuing his law degree and helping found Octagon. Phil de Picciotto also talked about how Octagon signed Moses Malone and Steffi Graf and the organizat...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Paul Smith, business storytelling coach and bestselling author of Lead with A Story, Sell with A Story, and The 10 Stories. In this episode, Paul Smith shares how leaders can use storytelling as a powerful business tool. Paul Smith also shared specific stories leaders need to tell to improve the clarity of their communications and motivate their teams. Some highlights: -Paul Smith on why many leaders are not good at telling s...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Detert, John L. Colley Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and author of Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. In this conversation, Jim Detert shares how we can become more courageous by developing our courage capabilities. Jim Detert also shares how leaders can nurture a psychologically safe organizational culture, enabling and encouraging m...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Brian Ahearn, keynote speaker, trainer, coach, consultant, and author of Influence People: Powerful Everyday Opportunities to Persuade that are Lasting and Ethical, and The Influencer: Secrets to Success and Happiness. Brian Ahearn goes through the principles of influence, reciprocity, consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. He also shares examples of applying the principles at work and in organizational lea...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jeanine Turner, a professor at Georgetown University, where she teaches at the Communication, Culture and Technology Program and the McDonough School of Business. Jeanine Turner is also the author of Being Present: Commanding Attention at Work (and at Home) by Managing Your Social Presence. Jeanine Turner shares her research and interviews on factors that impact our social presence. Jeanine also shares four communication choice...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Michael Roderick, founder, and C.E.O. of Small Pond Enterprises and host of the Access to Anyone Podcast. Michael Roderick shares practices and frameworks on connecting with others more effectively and becoming a referrable brand. Michael also shared that organizations can use the same lessons to make their brands stand out. Finally, Michael Roderick shares his thoughts on how we can become memorable both as individuals and org...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Diane Tipton, Chief Executive Officer and President at Self Storage Zone and Board Member at the Girl Scouts of the USA. Diane shares her humble beginnings in Georgia and how challenges shaped her into who she has become. Diane also talked about her work in accounting and why she decided to start a company. Finally, Diane Tipton shared the reason for her passion for Girl Scouts and the organization's impact on developing the ne...