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 but...

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 imp...

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. Ho...

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 bloo...

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, es...

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...

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 communities...

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 and b...

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 Gif...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Doug Wheeler, Former President of Washington Performing Arts. Doug shares leadership lessons learned as he engaged the community with the organization’s mission and service to the community. Highlights: Producing a radio program for WAMU and how it started Doug’s relationship with Patrick Hayes Doug Wheeler’s efforts on engaging the broader community in the arts and the mission of Washington Performing Arts What drove Doug to g...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Robert Rosenberg, CEO of Dunkin Donuts for 35 years and author of the book “Around the Corner to Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin' Donuts.” Robert Rosenberg shares his origin story, leadership successes and mistakes, and lessons learned in growing Dunkin Donuts to the household name it is today, and his advice on how to effectively lead an organization. Some highlights: Robert Rosenberg on the origin s...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Kathy Hollinger, President, and CEO of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), who has been recognized as one of the Most Influential Minorities in Cable and honored by Washington Business Journal as one of 20 Women Who Mean Business. Kathy shares how she has been able to create a positive culture within the community even during the pandemic. Highlights: How Kathy Hollinger’s Persian Heritage provided a soli...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Founder & Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvention Academy and author of the book, How to Thrive in Chaos. Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva shares how reinvention can help individuals and organizations thrive in constant change. Some highlights: How Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva’s origins influenced her to set up a company called We Exist Reinvention Agency Why reinvention is important for the survival of organizations L...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Irma Beccera, the seventh president of Marymount University, talks about her journey becoming a higher education leader, her research in knowledge management, how to see setbacks as opportunities for growth and her vision for the future of Marymount University. Some Highlights: Dr. Irma Becerra shares how her upbringing as a Cuban-American has impacted the kind of leader she has become How a setback allowed Dr. Becerra to form a partnership with her ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about Persian New Year, Nowruz, and its relevance to renewal, rethinking, reimagining, and reinventing which is needed by all, most especially now. The episode ends with a fun surprise, set to powerful music magnifying a message of hope and renewal. Some highlights: Mahan Tavakoli shares why the spirit of renewal matters, most especially now How the Persian New Year celebration of Nowruz embodies traditions of renewal. Mahan Tavako...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David Rutstein, former general counsel at Giant Food. David shares inspiring stories in his journey, what an ‘Ethical Will’ is, his 10 principles for leadership, and most important of all—how to lead with integrity and have an impact in the community. Some highlights: David Rutstein shares how his grandparents’ community leadership inspires how he leads and mentors younger people How getting rejected at Penn Law School led him ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jim Kerr, Founder of Indispensable Consulting and Author of the book INDISPENSABLE: Build and Lead A Company Customers Can’t Live Without, and shares his thoughts and insights on how being indispensable is a very important aspect of leading and creating a great culture. Some highlights: Why Jim Kerr wrote his book INDISPENSABLE Jim Kerr shares his thoughts on how to create a new culture of leadership How leadership by example c...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Cary Hatch, CEO of MDB Communications. Cary Hatch discusses what it took for her to succeed as a female business owner and how difficulties can build up resilience, and the joy of having an impact on people and the entire Greater Washington DC DMV region. Some highlights: Cary Hatch shares how to use fear of failure as a driving force to move forward and achieve goals. The power of advertising and its influence on organizations ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Jonathan Littman, co-author of The Entrepreneurs Faces: How Makers, Visionaries and Outsiders Succeed , and several other best-selling books. Jonathan Littman talks about the importance of innovation in business and how business leaders can learn to create an entrepreneurial spirit in their teams and organizations. Some highlights: The importance of creating an intrapreneurial culture to reinvent an organization. Jonathan Littma...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Howard Stone, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Prince George's Community College. Howard shares the source of his passion for education, love for Leadership Greater Washington and commitment over the years to Prince George’s County, MD. Some highlights: Howard Stone’s focus on public service How Howard Stone supported Wayne Curry and helped transform Prince George’s County, MD Howard’s love for and commitment to Leadership G...

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 leadershi...

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 bo...