Episodes

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 organization...

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 h...

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 Tava...

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 h...

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 examp...

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 organizatio...

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 Litt...

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 Leadershi...

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 leader...

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...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about the importance of leading with love and why genuine love is critical to leadership and a core essence of leading as a partner-leader. Some highlights: Mahan Tavakoli builds on the defenition of love and its connection to leadership Four essential factors for leading with love Mahan Tavakoli shares examples of leaders who have shown genuine care and love for their teams in leading their organizations Also mentioned in this ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Steve Harlan, Founder of Harlan Enterprises. LLC, as he shares how he rose through the ranks at KPMG, the role he played on the DC Financial Control Board in turning around Washington DC’s finances and his commitment to the community. Some highlights: Steve Harlan shares the story of his army days and how he ended up becoming an accountant Steve Harlan talks about the importance of asking for help and helping others How Stev...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Henna Inam, CEO of Transformational Leadership, talks about her journey to discovering her authentic self, her book Wired for Disruption and on how to be agile through times of disruption. Some highlights: Henna Inam shared her story of rediscovering her purpose in life Henna Inam talks about how to be your most authentic self and how to use that to be a force for good The story behind writing the book Wired for Disruption Henna Inam discusses the fi...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Howard Ross, Author of Reinventing Diversity, Everyday Bias, and Our Search for Belonging, talks about his background, how he started his own consulting firm, and his work on unconscious bias. Some highlights: The story of Howard Ross’ journey of reinventing himself The influence of his Jewish heritage and the value of his parents in shaping his life and leadership What inspired Howard Ross to write a book about unconscious bias Howard Ross on the i...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Chuck Swoboda, former Chief Executive Officer of Cree, author of Innovator Spirit, and podcast host of Innovators on Tap. Chuck Swoboda speaks in-depth about innovation and how to cultivate it as part of an organization’s culture. Some highlights: Chuck Swoboda talks about his upbringing and how that influenced the kind of leader he came to be Chuck Swoboda shares why he left HP to join Cree The difference between improveme...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Mark Bergel, Co-founder of Shared Humanity Project, talks about his incredible life experiences and shares his profound love for humanity and how it molded his character to be the kind of leader he is now along with his vision to eradicate poverty. Some highlights: Mark Bergel’s upbringing and impact on his service mindset How morality created a foundation for successful leadership Mark Bergel’s life-changing moment How Mark leads the community ...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Bettina Stern, co-founder of Chaia Tacos. Bettina shares her experience leading a business through crisis and her plans for growing Chaia Tacos nationally. Some highlights: Bettina Stern shares how she and Suzanne Simon started Chaia Tacos through a mutual love for food Bettina Stern talks about the local food business scene and getting support from the Washington DC community How Bettina Stern and Suzanne Simon did not let...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Ximena Hartsock, Co-founder of Phone2action and builder of tech for social good talks about how growing up in Chile and her father gave birth to her activism at an early age, how she battled injustice and hardship in Chile and as an immigrant to the United States and became successful while pursuing her advocacy as a way of life. Some Highlights: Ximena Hartsock on how building a great culture affects a community. How to lead and motivate people to ac...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about how to think about goals differently and encourages leaders to think about their impact and legacy. Some highlights: The story behind Alfred Nobel’s legacy Mahan Tavakoli shares insights on Bronnie Ware’s article about regrets Setting goals for impact and leaving a meaningful legacy Also mentioned in this episode: Alfred Nobel, Inventor Bronnie Ware, Author Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: MahanTavakoli.com More informatio...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Rosie-Allen Herring, President and CEO of the United Way NCA and Board Chair of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, talks about leading with purpose, leading the transformation of United Way NCA and reflects on the future leadership of the Greater Washington DC / DMV region. Some highlights: Rosie Allen-Herring shares how her brothers and sisters inspire her to become a better leader Rosie Allen-Herring's experience working at Fannie Mae and leavin...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Elia Gourgouris, founder of Happiness Center and author of 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness and co-author of 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis, A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters. Dr. Elia Gourgouris shares some of his thoughts and perspectives on how we can nurture happiness in ourselves, and use happiness to become better leaders of organizations. Some highlights: Dr. Elia Gourgouris talks...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Shannon Huffman Polson, author of The Grit Factor and CEO of the Grit Institute, talks about her experiences as an Apache attack helicopter pilot, and the lessons learned on grit from women leaders in the US military. Some highlights: The story behind Shannon Huffman Polson being one of the first women to fly an Apache attack helicopter The inspiration behind the book “The Grit Factor” How owning your own story is critical to leadership and grit The...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, David Fagiano, former Chief Operating Officer of Dale Carnegie Training and former CEO of American Management Association, talks about his career, leadership lessons learned, and how he led organizations to achieve significant growth. Some highlights: How David Fagiano started out his career in the mail order business and ended up in a career in the training industry How David Fagiano managed to engage an organization in working towards a shared visio...

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Patricia McGuire, the president of Trinity Washington University, talks about how she led the transformation of Trinity, the leadership principles that she has learned, and advice she has for other leaders, as they're looking to lead their organizations through transformation. Some highlights: Pat McGuire shares the story of her early years of activism How Pat McGuire transitioned from law to becoming president of Trinity University Pat McGuire’s rei...