What happens when the playbook for leadership no longer applies? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by futurist Steve Fisher and behavioral scientist Ja-Nae Duane, co-authors of Super Shifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence. With decades of experience in executive foresight,…
Building Collaborative Teams with Vanessa Druskat | Mahan Tavakoli on Emotional Intelligence Most executives still chase superstar hires, assuming great individuals will automatically form great teams. In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Dr. Vanessa Druskat brings research depth and field-tested experience to make a different case. She is the author of…
A CEO for All Seasons: Carolyn Dewar on What Great Leaders Do Differently What makes a great CEO today won’t be enough tomorrow. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carolyn Dewar, McKinsey Senior Partner and coauthor of A CEO for All Seasons—a practical, research-backed roadmap for…
David Gardner on Rule Breaker Investing, Long-Term Thinking & Leadership | Mahan Tavakoli Join Mahan Tavakoli as he sits down with David Gardner—legendary investor, co-founder of The Motley Fool, and author of Rule Breaker Investing. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, discover how David’s extraordinary track record, including Amazon, Tesla,…
In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by one of the most sought-after advisors to Fortune 100 CEOs and boards—Ram Charan. Named “the most influential consultant alive” by Fortune, Charan draws on decades of boardroom experience and over 30 books—Execution, What the CEO Wants You to…
✅From Turn the Ship Around to Rethinking Decisions: David Marquet on Leading with Distance, Not Ego In this thought-provoking conversation, former nuclear submarine commander and bestselling author David Marquet returns to the Partnering Leadership podcast to discuss the core ideas behind his new book: Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to…
What if the “panic habits” leaders default to are the very things burning out their best people? In this Partnering Leadership episode, Mita Mallick—author of The Devil Emails at Midnight—joins Mahan to unpack practical ways senior leaders can replace performative urgency with clear operating rules that people can trust. You…
✅Data as a Leadership Superpower: How to Fuel Strategy, Innovation, and AI with Justin Evans Discover how data can transform leadership in today’s AI-driven world. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Justin Evans, author of The Little Book of Data and former executive at Microsoft,…
In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by David Espindola, a futurist and strategic advisor with deep expertise in technology, AI, and leadership. As the author of The Exponential Era and Soulful, Espindola brings a unique lens to the conversation—one that blends exponential technology insight with…
Embracing Infinite Possibilities in Leadership | Dr. Bernard A. Harris | Partnering Leadership with Mahan Tavakoli In this powerful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard A. Harris — a trailblazer, the first African American to walk in space, a successful physician, NASA astronaut, CEO, and venture…
Section CEO Greg Shove on Leading Through AI: Rethinking Business Models-Talent and Strategy In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and…
Beyond Engagement: What Great Leaders Actually Do Differently to Earn Commitment with Dave Garrison What if your employees appear engaged, but aren’t truly committed? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dave Garrison, an experienced CEO, board member, and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop…
🎯 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Leadership Lessons from Mike Mears | Partnering Leadership Podcast What if traditional leadership tactics—bonuses, training, KPIs—aren’t enough to inspire real change? In this powerful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of Human Capital and founder of the…
Former Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney on Leading Yourself, Your Team When Nothing Goes as Planned In this timely and compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander and bestselling author of The Attributes. This conversation focuses on Rich’s latest book, Mastering Uncertainty,…
How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World with Mark Schaefer In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep…
The Power of Culture: Bringing values to life at work with Laura Hamill The Power of Culture at Work: Mahan Tavakoli & Laura Hamill on Turning Values into Business Impact In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with organizational psychologist, startup co-founder, and author Laura Hamill about…
What does it take to build something that lasts—not just for years, but across generations? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Alfredo De Massis, a globally recognized expert on family enterprise and author of The Family Business Book: A Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Families to Prosper…
Why Strategy Fails Without the Right Board: Didier Cossin on High-Performance Decision-Making What if the greatest risk to your organization isn't economic uncertainty, market volatility, or disruptive technology—but the decisions being made in your own boardroom? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Didier Cossin, IMD professor…
In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, humanitarian, and author of Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now. Greg shares how his upbringing in a small Connecticut town with nontraditional parents helped shape his views on purpose, disruption, and transformation.…
Unlocking AI: How Leaders Can Tap Into Generative AI’s Power with Rajeev Kapur & Mahan Tavakoli In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rajeev Kapur, a seasoned technology executive, AI innovator, and author of AI Made Simple. With decades of leadership experience, including his time as CEO…
Leadership Lessons from Cyrus the Great: Timeless Principles for Modern Leaders What can today’s executives and business leaders learn from a ruler who lived 2,500 years ago? As it turns out, quite a lot. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Darius Lahoutifard, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership…
In today’s fast-changing world, leaders are expected to navigate complexity, make high-stakes decisions, and provide clarity—even when certainty is impossible. But how can leaders embrace ambiguity without losing their strategic edge? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Jennifer Garvey Berger, a world-renowned leadership expert…
The Viking Code: Redefining Leadership for the Exponential Age with Anders Indset In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Anders Indset, a renowned business philosopher, leadership thinker, and author of The Viking Code. As organizations navigate the rapid rise of AI, economic volatility, and shifting workforce…
What separates truly exceptional leaders from the rest? According to Kurt Strovink, it’s not just strategy, execution, or decision-making—it’s the ability to lead from within. As a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and a global advisor to CEOs, Kurt has spent decades studying the patterns of the most successful…