Episodes

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jon Levy, behavioral scientist and author of the book You're Invited: The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence. Jon Levy shares how we can build stronger and more trusting relationships and how leaders can use the science of connection to increase team trust and engagement. Some highlights: -Jon Levy's interest in building community and relationships -Jon Levy talks about culture and psychological safety as essential keys t...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Barbara Davis Blum, one of the founders of Leadership Greater Washington and president of BDB Investment Partnership, shares stories from her early life and how it shaped her to become the resilient, feminist leader that she came to be. Barbara Davis Blum shared her journey as a pioneering female leader in government, business and the community. Some highlights: -Barbara Davis Blum's early life and her father's community involvement -The impact of Barbar...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with John Kotter, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, co-founder of a management consulting firm Kotter International and a pioneer in organizational change. John Kotter is the author of 22 books on change, including his most recent book, Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile times . John Kotter talks about the struggles leaders and teams face when it comes to change and how t...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli celebrates 100 podcast episodes by going back to the core of it all: purpose-driven leadership. Mahan shares why purpose is becoming an overused buzzword, gives examples of organizations not living up to their purpose, and how we can become genuinely purpose-driven leaders. Some highlights: -Mahan celebrates you, the purpose-driven audience of the Partnering Leadership podcast, in helping it become a top global leadership podcast. - 100 ep...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Ann Hiatt, Leadership Strategist & Consultant and Author of the book Bet on Yourself. Ann Hiatt shared the many lessons she learned while working alongside the world's top tech CEOs—Google's Eric Schmidt, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Yahoo's Marissa Meyer. In addition to the story of her reinvention, Ann Hiatt shared common practices and approaches of these and other top-performing leaders. Some highlights: - Ann Hiatt on how she ended...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Richard Bynum, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at PNC, shares the many leadership lessons he learned while at the American Red Cross and in his various roles at PNC. Richard Bynum also shares why and how he intends to have an impact on reducing systemic inequities by leading the implementation of PNC’s Community Benefits Plan through which the company will provide at least $88 billion in loans, investments, and other financial support to benefit l...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Michele Wucker, author of The Gray Rhino and You Are What You Risk , explains the origin of the concept of gray rhino and how to use it to improve decision making. Michelle Wucker also shares how to spot a gray rhino and strategies for dealing with grey rhinos by applying her 5-stage framework. Michele also goes into the logic behind risk-taking and the necessity of understanding and assessing risk better as individuals and organizations based on her new...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, David Rubenstein, co-founder & co-chairman of Carlyle Group & President of the Economic Club of Washington DC, shares his journey from working at the White House to starting one of the largest private equity investment firms globally. He also talks about his leadership lessons, philanthropy, Peer-to-Peer interviewing for the Economic Club of Washington DC and Bloomberg TV, and the legacy he plans to leave behind. Some highlights: - David Rubenstein’s chi...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Mark Johnson, co-founder and senior partner at Innosight. Innosight is a growth strategy consulting firm focused on helping leaders design and create the future instead of being disrupted. Mark Johnson focuses on growth strategy and disruptive transformation and has authored many books, including his latest, Lead from the Future. In this conversation, Mark Johnson discusses steps leaders can take to help their teams think more ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Beth Johnson, Founder and CEO of RP3 Agency. Beth Johnson shares the setback that helped birth RP3 and the organization's many successes over the years. Beth Johnson also shared why she initially became involved in the community and including her involvement in Washington Area Women's Foundation and Leadership Greater Washington. Some highlights: -Beth Johnson shared how her mother's resilience played a role in her upbringing. -...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Irene Butter, a professor, peace activist, and holocaust survivor. Irene Butter shares why she decided to break her silence and tell the story of her family's experience through the Holocaust, first by sharing her story on stages and at schools and by eventually publishing her book: Shores Beyond Shores - from Holocaust to Hope, My True Story: A Bergen-Belsen Survivor's story of Hope over Adversity . Irene ends the conversa...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Danny Vargas, US Air Force veteran, founder of VARCom Solutions, and community leader, shares impactful stories from his life, from growing up on welfare to becoming an award-winning and noted business & community leader. He also shares his mission to represent and give light to the contributions of the American Latino community to the country. Through and through, Danny Vargas’ story is one that is driven by mission and service. Some Highlights: -Danny ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli shares how leaders can effectively lead through uncertainty. With everything going on in the world, leaders might find it frustrating not knowing or being able to predict what’s ahead. Mahan mentions why the only certainty in the near future is that there will be greater uncertainty and shares five elements to consider when leading in a world of ambiguity. Some highlights: -Navigating and leading in a hyper VUCA world -How to embrace the d...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dax Devlon Ross, non-profit executive, equity consultant, and author of several books, including his latest work, Letters to My White Male Friends. Dax talks about his experiences growing up in Sheppard Park, DC, attending the mostly white Sidwell Friends school, and playing basketball in downtown DC. Dax speaks candidly about the scourge of racism and its impact on all of us and why he is committed to social justice and bring...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Alain Hunkins, keynote speaker, facilitator, coach, and author of the best-selling book Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. Alain Hunkins shared principles and practices of effective leadership and the power of connection, communication, and collaboration. Some highlights: -Alain Hunkins on the value of connection to leadership -The power of empathy in leading people -The value of actively so...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Monsignor John Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, shares impactful stories from his childhood, his journey becoming a priest, and leadership lessons he’s learned through leading many charitable initiatives. Father John also explains the power of “yes” and the importance of collaborating with organizations of different faiths to fulfill a shared purpose. Some highlights: -Monsignor John Enzler’s childhood and...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist, global keynote speaker, and author of the award-winning book The Creativity Leap , shares why it is essential to unleash creativity for ourselves and in leading our teams and organizations. Some highlights: -Dr. Natalie Nixon’s childhood and how her family inspired her to explore her creativity -Dr. Natalie Nixon on pursuing what you love -The role observation plays in creativity -The case of curiosity: why it is...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Doyle Mitchell, President and CEO of Industrial Bank, shares memories from his childhood and how Industrial Bank, the largest and oldest minority-owned commercial bank in the Greater Washington DC DMV region, came to be. He also shares the struggles he’s faced as a black business owner and his hopes for black-owned businesses. Some highlights: -Doyle Mitchell’s childhood and how his parents impacted his life -The story behind Industrial Bank: a legacy bu...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Catherine Rymsha, a lecturer, Tedx Speaker, and author of the book The Leadership Decision: Decide to lead today. Dr. Rymsha shares how our choices and decisions define our leadership and help develop our leadership brand. Some highlights: -Dr. Catherine Rymsha on initiative and action as the foundation of leadership -Qualities of great leadership -Dr. Catherine Rymsha on how leaders can be strong and show vulnerability -Im...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carla Reid, General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water. Carla Reid talks about overcoming setbacks in life, resilience in leadership, and rebranding organizational culture with a vision and strategy for a positive impact on customers and the community. Some highlights: -Exposure and experience as crucial factors in figuring out your interests -Carla Reid's thoughts on taking on challenges and creating solutions -The why and how of s...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about one of the lessons he learned from Italians on the value of disconnecting from work and the value of that disconnection to deep thinking required for leadership in disruptive times. Some highlights: -The Italians take their holidays seriously -Busyness doesn't help us in business -Leadership requires disconnecting and reflecting Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources are available at the P...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Joe Gardemal. Joe serves as a managing director in the Washington DC office of Alvarez and Marcel and has over 30 years of experience in accounting, including in forensic accounting. He is a veteran of the Iraq war and is a recipient of a bronze star for his command during the Iraq campaign. Currently, Joe is the court-appointed independent monitor over GPB Capital Holdings. Some highlights: -Joe Gardemal talks about how to tak...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Jonathan Westover, Chair of Organizational Leadership Development at Utah Valley University and author of The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership. Dr. Jonathan Westover shares how you can tap into your own personalized leadership journey, expand your leadership potential, and grow as a leader while also helping others grow. Some highlights: -How experiencing different cultures influenced Jonathan Westover’s outlook on le...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Professor Robert Bies. Bob Bies is a Professor of Management and founder of the Executive Masters in Leadership program at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. Dr. Robert Bies shares different frameworks and models on how to become a more purpose-driven and impactful leader. Some highlights: -Robert Bies shares the role social justice can play in leading purpose-driven organizations. -The Tao of Pooh – How Winnie-the-Pooh'...