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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 executives. In his latest book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out, he reveals what the best leaders do differently and why self-awareness is at the core of transformative leadership.
In this insightful conversation, Kurt unpacks the critical contradictions every CEO must navigate—balancing short-term and long-term priorities, managing gut instincts with data-driven analysis, and fostering trust while making tough calls. He also explores the human-centric aspects of leadership, showing why the most effective CEOs focus not just on financial performance but on culture, dissent, and psychological safety to drive long-term success.
Mahan Tavakoli and Kurt also discuss practical frameworks for leadership development, including how CEOs can create cultures that encourage truth-telling, manage their energy instead of just their time, and make bold decisions that define their legacies. Drawing on insights from 500+ CEO forums and top leaders worldwide, Kurt shares the strategies that help executives avoid common pitfalls and unlock their full leadership potential.
You'll learn why leading others starts with leading yourself—and how the best CEOs develop self-awareness as a core leadership skill.Hear how top leaders institutionalize truth-telling and dissent within their organizations to avoid blind spots and drive better decision-making.Find out why managing energy is just as important as managing time—and how CEOs structure their schedules for peak performance.Discover how to make bold, differentiating moves early in your leadership tenure to set the tone for lasting impact.Learn why the most effective CEOs challenge their own organizations like an activist investor, forcing teams to rethink assumptions and drive transformation.Explore the power of leadership storytelling—how CEOs use analogies and language to shape culture and inspire action.Uncover strategies for navigating the inevitable contradictions of leadership—short-term vs. long-term, data vs. intuition, and control vs. delegation.Hear how great CEOs build leadership factories, ensuring a pipeline of strong leaders while avoiding the distractions of succession politics.Understand why the best leaders don’t just execute strategy—they create the conditions for others to thrive and innovate.Find out when it’s time to step away and transition leadership—and how great CEOs prepare for what’s next.
Actionable Takeaways from This EpisodeConnect with Kurt Strovink
Kurt Strovink LinkedIn
Kurt Strovink McKinsey & Company
The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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Culture is often cited as a competitive advantage, yet many leaders fail to shape it with intention. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Chris Dyer, a globally recognized company culture expert and the author of The Power of Company Culture. With years of hands-on experience advising leaders on how to build high-performance organizations, Chris shares why most leaders think they have a great culture—until cracks begin to show.
Many executives believe culture is about mission statements, values, and engagement surveys—but Chris breaks down why it’s really about what leadership tolerates, ignores, and reinforces on a daily basis. Through sharp insights and real-world examples, he reveals the biggest blind spots CEOs and leadership teams have when it comes to culture and why those blind spots can lead to disengaged employees, stalled innovation, and underperformance.
Rather than offering theoretical concepts, Chris lays out practical, high-impact shifts that any leader can implement—starting with transparency, accountability, and a relentless focus on amplifying what’s working instead of constantly fixing what’s broken. He also challenges leaders to rethink how they approach mistakes, talent retention, and performance management, emphasizing that protecting top performers is just as critical—if not more—than managing struggling employees.
This conversation is packed with actionable leadership insights that go beyond culture as a buzzword and get into how leaders can build workplaces that drive engagement, innovation, and results. Whether you're leading a fast-growing company or steering an established organization through transformation, this episode will leave you with immediately applicable strategies to strengthen your leadership and build a culture that delivers.
The biggest culture myth leaders believe—and why it’s costing their organizations talent, engagement, and innovation.Why culture isn’t defined by what leaders say—but by what they tolerate, reinforce, and ignore.The 1% culture shift that compounds into massive organizational change—and why most leaders overlook it.How transparency can be a leadership superpower—and why withholding information creates disengaged teams.The accountability mistake that erodes culture—and what great leaders do differently.Why most organizations spend too much time fixing underperformers—and how to build a culture that protects and empowers top performers.The difference between a mistake and an error—and why knowing this distinction is essential for driving innovation.How the best cultures don’t happen by accident—and the leadership habits that create lasting impact.What leaders should focus on instead of “fixing” culture—and how to measure real progress.A simple but powerful reflection every CEO and executive team should ask themselves about their culture.
Actionable Takeaways from This Episode:
Connect with Chris DyerChris Dyer Website
Chris Dyer LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Steve Cadigan, renowned talent strategist, leadership advisor, and author of the acclaimed book Workquake. Steve brings decades of experience shaping talent strategies for some of the most innovative companies in the world, including Cisco, Electronic Arts, and LinkedIn, where he played a pivotal role as the company’s first Chief HR Officer during its meteoric rise.
Steve Cadigan explores the seismic shifts reshaping the workplace, from the unprecedented power shift toward employees to the increasing necessity for organizations to embrace agility in a high-turnover world. In a lively and insightful conversation, he challenges traditional leadership paradigms, emphasizing the importance of rethinking outdated systems designed for a workforce that no longer exists. Whether it's hiring for potential, fostering cultures of continuous learning, or preparing for the impacts of AI, Steve delivers actionable strategies for CEOs and senior executives navigating the future of work.
As the world moves at an accelerating pace, Steve highlights the critical need for organizations to adapt to the realities of shorter employee tenure and heightened workforce expectations. He shares stories and examples from his extensive career to illustrate how leaders can position their organizations to thrive by creating environments where people want to stay—not because they have to, but because they’re inspired to.
"You'll learn why the war for talent is over—and why talent has already won."
Actionable Takeaways
Hear Steve Cadigan explain how the power dynamic has shifted to employees and what leaders must do to create an environment where people want to stay.
"Discover why long-term employee tenure is a thing of the past."
Explore how leaders can move away from outdated systems and embrace agile workforce strategies for a high-turnover reality.
"Hear how to attract top talent without relying on higher salaries or perks."
Learn why building a culture of meaningful work and belonging is the ultimate competitive advantage in today’s job market.
"Find out why hiring for potential beats hiring for experience."
Steve shares why adaptability and learning velocity are more valuable than traditional resumes in a fast-changing world.
"Explore how leaders can thrive in high-turnover environments."
Steve reveals strategies used by innovative companies like Google and Tesla to foster creativity and innovation despite short employee tenures.
"Learn how to build alumni networks that amplify your brand."
Discover why staying connected with former employees is a powerful strategy for recruitment, collaboration, and long-term success.
"Uncover the true role of AI in reshaping work."
Hear why AI should be used to enhance jobs and unlock human creativity rather than simply cutting costs and headcount.
"Get actionable insights on fostering learning ecosystems."
Steve discusses how organizations can invest in continuous learning to remain competitive and retain talent.
"Understand the importance of rewriting job descriptions for today’s workforce."
Learn how to craft roles that inspire candidates and reflect the dynamic realities of modern work.
"Discover why culture is the most powerful recruiting tool you have."
Steve emphasizes the importance of creating workplaces where people feelConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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John Livesay, The Pitch Whisperer and author of best-selling books, including Better Selling Through Storytelling and The Sale is In the Tale, joins Mahan Tavakoli on the Partnering Leadership podcast to share his insights on storytelling for leaders. In the conversation, John Livesay shares practical techniques to craft compelling stories that motivate teams, win business, and drive change. Additionally, John provides memorable examples and easy-to-apply storytelling frameworks, including the 3Cs model and four-part story structure.
Storytelling Takeaways from This Episode:
- Telling your origin story and values-in-action stories to establish trust
- Structuring pitches around client-focused stories, not just facts
- Using analogies and vulnerability to smoothly guide teams through change
- Capturing relatable stories from your team to build connection and brand loyalty
- Applying the "5-5-5" model to reframe challenges and build resilience rapidly
- Practicing consistently to hone your skills as a persuasive communicator
Connect with John Livesay
John Livesay Website
John Livesay on LinkedIn
The Sale is In the Tale on Amazon
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes James Lawrence, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership expert, and the driving force behind Happy Companies. With a dynamic career that includes founding multiple successful businesses, James has developed a passion for blending behavioral science, leadership, and innovative technology to create stronger, more aligned organizations. As the co-creator of Happy Companies, an AI-powered coaching platform, James shares his expertise on democratizing leadership development, creating meaningful manager-employee relationships, and building cultures where people and productivity thrive.
In this engaging conversation, James reflects on the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership and why he believes the relationship between a manager and their employee is the single most important factor in an organization’s success. He also shares personal leadership lessons, revealing the mistakes he made early in his career and how he transformed his approach to focus on individual team members’ unique strengths and motivations. From adapting leadership styles to investing in your people, James delivers a treasure trove of actionable insights for senior executives seeking to build lasting organizational impact.
James also delves into the power of technology in leadership, explaining how Happy Companies leverages AI to provide real-time, personalized coaching for every employee in an organization. He challenges traditional notions of coaching as exclusive to senior leaders and instead advocates for a holistic approach that empowers every individual to grow. Throughout the episode, James shares practical advice and thought-provoking perspectives that will inspire leaders to rethink how they build and lead their teams.
Hear why the manager-employee relationship is the most critical driver of engagement, satisfaction, and organizational success—and how to strengthen it.Discover the fatal leadership mistake of assuming everyone works and thrives like you do, and learn how to adapt your approach to individual team members.Explore how James transformed his leadership style by understanding what truly motivates his team—and how you can do the same.Learn how to assess whether you have the right people on your team and in the right roles by focusing on motivation, capability, and alignment.Hear how AI is democratizing coaching, making leadership development accessible to every employee—not just senior executives.Find out why traditional approaches to coaching fail to scale and how Happy Companies bridges the gap with real-time, personalized insights.Understand why building a people-first culture is the key to long-term organizational success and how leaders can invest in their team without overcomplicating processes.Hear James’s thoughts on adapting to the new workforce mindset and why flexibility, autonomy, and trust are essential for today’s leaders.Learn why personal growth and development are ultimately the responsibility of the individual—and how leaders can foster that ownership within their teams.Uncover James’s practical advice for tackling leadership challenges, from remote work dynamics to aligning organizational culture with technology adoption.
Actionable Takeaways
Connect with James LawrenceHappy Companies
James Lawrence LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli dives into a fascinating conversation with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, authors of Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future. As leaders at Stanford's d.school, Scott and Carissa bring a wealth of expertise on design thinking, adaptability, and systems thinking that is uniquely relevant for CEOs and senior executives facing today’s complex challenges. Their insights are a timely reminder of the importance of embracing curiosity, imperfection, and collaboration to lead effectively in a fast-changing world.
Throughout the conversation, Scott and Carissa reveal how design principles can transform the way leaders think, act, and guide their teams. They delve into practical strategies for noticing what others might miss, addressing systemic challenges, and preparing for uncertainty. Their unique perspectives on shaping leadership in turbulent times challenge conventional approaches and inspire listeners to adopt new mindsets that drive innovation and adaptability.
As the conversation unfolds, Scott and Carissa explore topics like “shape-shifting” leadership, balancing confidence with curiosity, and harnessing discomfort as a powerful design tool. They share practical advice and real-world examples, making the conversation rich with actionable insights. Whether you’re looking to improve your team’s creativity, foster systems thinking, or simply become a more intentional leader, this episode offers ideas and strategies you can apply immediately.
Hear how curiosity—not certainty—can redefine leadership confidence and lead to more adaptable and innovative decision-making.Discover why “noticing the unseen” is a critical skill for leaders, and learn how to develop this often-overlooked ability.Find out how to use shape-shifting leadership techniques to adapt your style to different situations and inspire your team in new ways.Learn why embracing imperfection is essential in complex systems and how leaders can balance risk with resilience.Hear Scott’s take on how lowering cognitive load for your team can unlock creativity and drive better problem-solving.Unpack the surprising role of emotions in leadership decision-making and how acknowledging emotional triggers can lead to better choices.Explore Carissa’s approach to leveraging discomfort as a design tool to find hidden opportunities and innovate in uncertain environments.Find out why focusing on multiple perspectives, or “many Norths,” can help leaders tackle today’s messy, interconnected challenges.Discover how to make time for reflection and intentional noticing in an always-on, fast-paced work environment—and why it pays off exponentially.Understand how to prepare your organization for the ripple effects of change by designing for healing and adaptability.
Actionable Takeaways:
Connect with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter:Stanford d. School Website
Scott Doorley LinkedIn
Carissa Carter LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a powerful conversation with Lior Arussy, renowned author, speaker, and expert in organizational transformation and customer experience. Lior is the author of the thought-provoking book Dare to Author: Take Charge of the Narrative of Your Life. In this episode, he brings his compelling insights to life, challenging leaders to rethink how they approach storytelling, organizational change, and leadership in an era of rapid disruption.
Lior shares his journey of discovering the power of stories—not just in shaping customer experiences but in transforming individual and organizational mindsets. Drawing on decades of working with global companies, he unpacks why so many people resist change, how leaders can overcome that resistance, and why the ability to craft and evolve personal and organizational narratives is critical for thriving in uncertainty.
Listeners will be inspired by Lior's insights on how leaders can empower their teams to embrace change without feeling judged, how to separate purpose from tools to drive transformation, and why storytelling is no longer a nice-to-have skill but a necessity for effective leadership. His approach combines practical frameworks with deeply human insights, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking to unlock their team’s potential and elevate their leadership impact.
From redefining leadership as navigating the unknown to exploring how gratitude fuels resilience and innovation, this conversation is rich with actionable ideas.
Actionable Takeaways:
You’ll learn why storytelling is not just a communication tool but a leadership necessity in driving transformation and engagement.Hear how to overcome resistance to change by reframing it as evolution rather than judgment of past efforts.Discover why separating purpose from tools can help you and your team embrace innovation with less fear and more confidence.Gain insights into why victimhood is a choice—and how to rise to the higher version of yourself as a leader.Learn the surprising connection between gratitude and resilience, and how embracing gratitude can fuel your team’s energy for change.Understand why the leadership practices you inherited 30 years ago may no longer serve you in today’s fast-paced, dynamic workplace.Explore the concept of cultural readiness and why leaders must take responsibility for their organization’s capacity to adapt and thrive.Find out why perfectionism paralyzes teams—and how to give your people permission to experiment and innovate.Hear why the biggest companies miss the biggest trends and how to avoid the ‘best practices trap.’Learn how to author your own leadership story and turn past successes and failures into tools for future growth.Connect with the Lior Arussy
Lior Arussy Website
Lior Arussy LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back world-renowned futurist, best-selling author, and innovation expert Daniel Burrus. Known for his groundbreaking book The Anticipatory Organization, Daniel has spent decades helping leaders navigate transformative change by teaching them to anticipate disruptions and turn them into opportunities. As the author of numerous reports on hard trends and future technologies, including his latest on the hard trends shaping 2025 and beyond, Daniel offers a unique blend of clarity, practicality, and vision for leaders striving to stay ahead in a fast-changing world.
Daniel begins by distinguishing between two types of trends—hard trends, which are future certainties, and soft trends, which are based on assumptions. This crucial framework empowers leaders to confidently identify opportunities and mitigate risks. Through compelling examples, Daniel explains how focusing on hard trends enables organizations to shift from reactive crisis management to proactive opportunity management, transforming challenges into competitive advantages.
The conversation also dives into the productivity revolution fueled by generative AI, digital twins, and other technological advancements that are reshaping industries at exponential speeds. Daniel shares how leaders can harness these tools—not as overwhelming innovations but as accessible enablers of growth and transformation. His actionable insights will help listeners uncover opportunities, refine focus, and elevate their organizations’ relevance in a time of disruption.
Finally, Daniel challenges leaders to embrace the mindset of a positive disruptor. With a sharp focus on innovation, clarity in decision-making, and the courage to lead transformations and he emphasizes the importance of becoming an anticipatory leader.
Hear how distinguishing between hard and soft trends can revolutionize your strategic planning by revealing certainties and shaping possibilities.Learn why focusing on one area of transformation can unlock hidden opportunities and drive exponential results.Discover how generative AI is driving a productivity revolution—and what leaders must do to harness its potential for their teams.Explore the power of digital twins in testing, predicting, and solving problems before they happen, saving time and resources.Find out why waiting for your competitors to disrupt you is a recipe for failure—and how to proactively disrupt yourself.Hear Daniel’s framework for refining overwhelming choices into actionable opportunities with maximum impact.Learn how to combine trends like AI, robotics, and augmented reality to create transformative solutions for your organization.Gain insight into why the boundaries between industries are breaking down—and how leaders can leverage cross-industry innovation.Discover the leadership mindset required to move from reactive agility to anticipatory decision-making in a time of exponential change.Understand how augmented thinking—where AI enhances human cognition—will shape the future of leadership and decision-making.
Actionable Takeaways:
Connect with the Daniel Burrus:Daniel Burrus Website
Daniel Burrus LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Jeremy Caplan, an expert in innovation and productivity and the author of "Wonder Tools," shares transformative insights into how leaders can leverage AI to amplify creativity, streamline processes, and empower their teams. As the creator of the popular "Wonder Tools" Substack and a thought leader in using AI to enhance productivity, Jeremy offers a practical and inspiring approach to integrating technology into leadership.
Throughout the conversation, Jeremy dives deep into the practical applications of AI in the workplace. From improving strategic planning and communication to fostering creativity, he demonstrates how leaders can harness AI to enhance their decision-making and drive impactful outcomes. Part of the discussion also focuses on the wide range of AI tools available for executives, offering actionable ways to boost productivity and simplify complex workflows.
Listeners will hear about Jeremy’s unique approach to using AI as a "cognitive sparring partner" and how leaders can foster a culture of experimentation within their organizations. By highlighting real-world examples and actionable strategies—including recommendations for tools that can transform productivity—he provides a roadmap for leaders to navigate the ever-evolving technological landscape.
Discover how AI can act as a cognitive sparring partner to expand your strategic thinking and enhance decision-making.Hear how leaders can overcome barriers to AI adoption, including time constraints and fear of complexity, and create space for experimentation.Learn why fostering a culture of shared learning and collaboration is critical for unlocking AI’s potential in your organization.Find out how AI tools can elevate creativity and productivity by generating multiple solutions and enabling higher-quality outcomes.Explore Jeremy’s top productivity tool recommendations for executives, from email management to presentation creation, and learn how to simplify your workflows.Understand the transformative power of AI in strategic planning and how it can help leaders avoid common pitfalls.Hear practical examples of AI tools that can streamline email management, enhance presentations, and improve team collaboration.Gain insights into the AI adoption curve and what it means for leaders navigating the technological shift.Discover how to use AI for high-value tasks, like board communication and competitive analysis, to save time and improve outcomes.Learn about simple, actionable steps to start experimenting with AI today and why dedicating just 10 hours can make a significant difference.
Actionable Takeaways:Connect with the Jeremy Caplan
Jeremy Caplan Website
Wonder Tools Substack
Jeremy Caplan LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Louis Rosenberg. Louis Rosenberg is a pioneer in virtual and augmented reality with over 300 patents; he has started multiple businesses, including Founder Immersion Corp, Founder Outland Research, and Unanimous A.I., for which he currently serves as CEO and Chief Scientist. Louis Rosenberg has focused his work on the boundary between technology and human perception, aiming to enhance human performance with technology. In the conversation, Louis Rosenberg shared why he is wary of the potential for technology to dehumanize people and works to push the boundaries to augment rather than replace human intelligence. Louis Rosenberg shared why he believes A.R. will be the primary way people access digital lives, replacing mobile phones with eyewear that spatially registers content to the real world. In addition, augmented reality and mixed reality will become more prevalent as society progresses. Finally, Louis Rosenberg shared his perspectives on the power of human swarm intelligence through Swarm technology as an example of the potential positives for the future of humanity in the collaborative use of artificial intelligence.
Some Highlights:
- Louis Rosenberg on the Potential of Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Technologies
- The inevitability of Augmented and Mixed Reality in the digital age
- Use of Augmented Reality in the medical space
- The impact of Augmented Reality on different professions
- Louis Rosenberg on Augmented Reality's potential in education and training
- Why there is a need for policy solutions in Augmented Reality
- The positive potential of the Metaverse
- Dangers of unregulated AI-driven persuasion in the Metaverse
- Louis Rosenberg on using Swarm Intelligence for smarter decision making
- The use of Swarm Technology to forecast the future
- How to use A.I. to harness the power of the human brain and the knowledge and information it contains
Mentioned:
Partnering Leadership conversation with Tom Taulli on A.I. Bootcamp for Leaders
Partnering Leadership conversation with Dan Turchin on A.I. & The Future of Work
Connect with Louis Rosenberg:
Unanimous A.I. Website
Louis Rosenberg's articles on BIG THINK
Louis Rosenberg's articles on Venture Beat
Louis Rosenberg on LinkedIn
Louis Rosenberg's TEDx Talk New hope for humans in an A.I. world
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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Get ready for a fascinating discussion on the overlooked leadership skill of listening, featuring Oscar Trimboli, author of the book How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication. Oscar Trimboli draws on decades of research and over 24,000 workplace interviews to provide science-backed insights on how leaders can become exceptional listeners. You'll discover why most of us are only hearing 14% of what people actually say and how to tap into the other 86%. Learn simple but powerful techniques to tune into conversations, avoid assumptions, and strengthen relationships through mindful listening. Whether leading teams or tackling complex challenges, this episode provides leaders the tools to listen their way to better outcomes.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Hear Oscar's origin story and how a jaw condition as a teenager shaped his listening superpower.
- Learn why listening starts with focusing on yourself first, not the speaker.
- Discover Oscar's "listening battery" technique and how to recharge before conversations.
- Get simple meeting tweaks to arrive fully present and boost listening.
- Find out the three magic numbers behind listening dilemmas at work.
- Learn to recognize your listening orientation and when to shift approaches.
- Hear how self-assessment biases hinder our listening abilities.
- Discover questions to uncover what hasn't been said.
- Get Oscar's top recommended practice for better listening right away.
Recommended Resources
How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication
The Listening Quiz
How to Use Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas with the Author of A More Beautiful Question & The Book of Beautiful Questions with Warren Berger
Connect with Oscar Trimboli
Oscar Trimboli Website
Oscar Trimboli LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Renee Cummings, Data Science Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia. In the conversation, Professor Renee Cummings, a criminologist and AI ethicist discusses the importance of bringing responsible, ethical thinking to deploying AI technology. She stresses the need for due process, recognizing the various forms of bias, ethical use and transparency in deployment, and good governance and oversight. Renee Cummings also addresses the need for considering diversity, equity, and inclusion in AI development and deployment and how we can ensure that AI benefits society instead of harming it.
Some highlights:
- Why diversity of experience and perspective is crucial in AI
- The role that data plays in AI and data as a store of both positive and negative aspects of humanity.
differently, and the difference that makes in AI development and deployment
- Renee Cummings on the role AI has played in law enforcement for the past 20-plus years
- Why it's important to keep humans involved in the decision-making loop rather than allowing extreme decision-making autonomy for AI systems
- How to design technology ethically to avoid extreme prejudice and further persecution of certain groups
- Professor Renee Cummings on the many opportunities created by AI
Connect with Renee Cummings
Renee Cummings on LinkedIn
Renee Cummings at UVA
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Tricia Brouk, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and leadership communication strategist. Tricia is the author of The Influential Voice: Saying What You Mean for Lasting Legacy, a powerful book that explores how leaders can use their voices to connect, inspire, and leave a meaningful impact. Drawing from her background as a professional dancer, choreographer, and director, Tricia shares how her experiences have shaped her approach to leadership and communication, offering actionable advice to help leaders connect more authentically with their teams and audiences.
Throughout the conversation, Tricia emphasizes the importance of personal storytelling in leadership, showing how even the most accomplished CEOs and executives can strengthen their influence by sharing their authentic selves. She delves into how vulnerability and empathy, when paired with courage, create the foundation for building trust and inspiring others to follow. Tricia also highlights the transformative power of active listening—not just as a communication tool, but as a discipline that leaders must master to elevate their teams and drive meaningful results.
Leaders navigating today’s noisy and fast-paced world will appreciate Tricia's perspective on cutting through distractions and communicating with purpose. Her actionable insights on recognizing and overcoming limiting beliefs and leveraging feedback loops will resonate with executives looking to foster growth and innovation within their organizations. Whether you’re leading a boardroom discussion, presenting at a conference, or managing a team, this conversation offers a masterclass on how to elevate your voice and leadership impact.
Learn why personal storytelling is a leader’s most underutilized tool and how sharing your origin story can inspire trust and connection.Hear how active listening transforms leadership and why it’s not just about hearing words but creating a culture of understanding and empathy.Discover how to have courageous conversations with your team by balancing radical honesty with empathy to build trust and alignment.Find out why recognizing truth versus lies is critical for overcoming self-doubt and how reframing limiting beliefs can unlock your leadership potential.Understand the power of feedback loops in leadership and how to create a culture where feedback is freely given, received, and acted upon.Explore the art of cutting through noise and distractions to communicate with clarity, purpose, and impact in today’s fast-paced environment.Learn how to embrace vulnerability as a leadership strength, allowing you to foster deeper connections while maintaining credibility and authority.Hear Tricia’s advice on amplifying others’ voices and how supporting your team can naturally elevate your own leadership influence.Discover why active listening is the ultimate leadership discipline and how it can become your superpower for solving complex challenges.Gain actionable insights on leading with purpose, clarity, and authenticity in a world that demands more from leaders than ever before.
Actionable Takeaways:
Connect with Tricia Brouk:Tricia Brouk Website
Tricia Brouk’s free visualization guide to becoming an influential voice
Tricia Bro
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this engaging episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Jeff Gothelf, a globally recognized author, speaker, and coach known for his expertise in organizational agility, product design, and customer-centricity. Jeff is the co-author of the insightful book Who Does What By How Much? A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs. Drawing on decades of experience and collaboration with leading organizations, Jeff shares practical strategies to help leaders implement Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in ways that drive meaningful outcomes.
The conversation explores why OKRs, often misunderstood as just another goal-setting framework, are in fact a transformative tool for aligning teams, fostering collaboration, and focusing on outcomes that truly matter. Jeff delves into the critical difference between outputs and outcomes, highlighting how focusing on behavior changes in customers creates measurable impact. His practical advice is grounded in real-world examples, making this episode a must-listen for leaders seeking to elevate organizational performance.
Jeff also shares actionable steps for starting small with OKRs, experimenting with pilot teams, and scaling successful initiatives across the organization. He provides a nuanced perspective on the common pitfalls that derail OKR adoption, including the temptation to prioritize outputs over outcomes and the misalignment of accountability. This candid discussion offers a roadmap for leaders to overcome these challenges and create a culture of agility and continuous learning.
From balancing transparency with accountability to maintaining alignment with an organization’s brand promise, this episode equips CEOs and senior executives with the tools and frameworks needed to navigate strategic change effectively. Whether you're familiar with OKRs or exploring them for the first time, Jeff's insights will challenge conventional thinking and inspire leaders to rethink their approach to goal-setting and customer success.
You'll learn why OKRs are more than just another framework—they're a mirror for your organization's ability to deliver on its brand promise.Hear how to differentiate between outputs (what you make) and outcomes (the changes you create) and why this shift is crucial for organizational success.Discover why starting small with OKR implementation—through pilot teams—leads to greater long-term success.Explore Jeff’s perspective on the most common mistake leaders make with OKRs and how avoiding it can transform your team's performance.Learn the secret to transparency in goal-setting without sacrificing accountability or collaboration within teams.Find out how OKRs enable agility, empowering organizations to adapt quickly to change while staying customer-focused.Uncover the importance of clarity, starting with the 'why' behind transformations, and how it strengthens buy-in from teams.Hear Jeff’s take on aligning OKRs with strategic priorities, even during moments of crisis or market disruption.Understand how OKRs differ from KPIs and how they serve as a bridge between strategy and execution.
Actionable Takeaways
Connect with Jeff GothelfJeff Gothelf Website
Jeff Gothelf LinkedIn
Who Does What By How Much? A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli interviews Daniel Burrus, a world-renowned futurist, strategist, and author of The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change into Opportunity and Advantage.
In the conversation, Daniel Burrus shares his powerful framework for anticipating the future and shaping strategies accordingly, emphasizing the importance of identifying hard and soft trends to gain certainty in an uncertain world.Throughout the conversation, Daniel Burrus dives deep into the principles and mindsets that enable leaders to become anticipatory rather than reactionary. He highlights the transformative power of the "both/and" principle, the "ideal use" principle, and the concept of disrupting yourself and your organization before others do. Daniel's expertise and engaging storytelling make this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to create a better future for themselves and their organization.
Key Insights You'll Gain:
Discover the difference between hard trends and soft trends and how they can help you develop low-risk, high-reward strategiesLearn how to become anticipatory and proactively identify and solve problems before they occurUnderstand the importance of embracing the "both/and" principle for accurate predictions and innovative thinkingExplore the "ideal use" principle and how it can help you cut through the hype surrounding new technologies and innovationsGain insights into the power of disrupting yourself and your business before others doUncover the potential of AI and how to harness its benefits while protecting against its risksDiscover why humans are infinitely upgradable and the importance of staying open-minded to learning new thingsLearn how to apply the "both/and" principle to various scenarios, from paper vs. digital to gas vs. electric carsConnect with Daniel Burrus
The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change into Opportunity and Advantage
Daniel Burrus Website
Daniel Burrus LinkedIn
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Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Misha Glouberman, a celebrated expert in communication and collaboration, to explore the vital role of effective communication in leadership. Misha, author of The Chairs Are Where the People Go, draws on years of experience helping organizations improve team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and foster trust. His refreshing insights challenge traditional notions of leadership and offer a more human-centric approach to managing teams and driving change.
Throughout the conversation, Misha emphasizes the importance of aligning actions with values, both for individuals and organizations. He delves into the often-overlooked barriers to effective communication, from unspoken assumptions to misaligned priorities, and shares practical tools for overcoming these challenges. His nuanced approach to building trust, fostering collaboration, and addressing conflict resonates deeply with the complexities of modern leadership.
Misha's unique ability to break down abstract concepts into actionable steps sets this conversation apart. Whether it’s designing gatherings that truly connect people or addressing the hidden dynamics that fuel workplace silos, his advice is as practical as it is transformative. Leaders at all levels will find value in his guidance on how to create environments where feedback flows freely and trust becomes the foundation for success.
Discover why most organizational problems are rooted in communication breakdowns—and how to address them.Hear how to create an environment where feedback is not only welcomed but becomes a cornerstone of team growth.Learn why trust isn’t built overnight and the consistent actions leaders must take to foster it.Explore Misha’s counterintuitive advice on breaking silos by letting go of control.Uncover the key to aligning team actions with their core values and principles for sustained success.Find out how to turn gatherings into meaningful experiences that drive connection and collaboration—not just more presentations.Gain insights on navigating team conflict by focusing on role clarity and accountability.Understand how leaders can model a growth mindset by owning their role in organizational dynamics.Hear Misha’s practical framework for aligning your leadership approach with the challenges and goals of today’s workforce.Learn why the best communication tools are built on transparency, curiosity, and empathy—and how to apply them.
Actionable TakeawaysConnect with Misha Glouberman
Misha Glouberman Website
Misha Glouberman LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Rob Sadow, the co-founder and CEO of Scoop and the mastermind behind The Flex Index. As a leading expert on the future of work, Rob shares his invaluable insights on navigating the seismic shift towards hybrid and flexible work arrangements. Drawing from his extensive experience and data-driven approach, Rob goes into the challenges and opportunities that come with this transformative change in the workplace.
Throughout the conversation, Rob Sadow highlights the importance of embracing flexibility and adapting office spaces to meet the evolving needs of both employees and organizations. He discusses the role of data in guiding decision-making processes and shares strategies for fostering productivity, engagement, and work-life balance in the new era of work.
Rob also sheds light on the impact of hybrid work on cities and the need for strategic planning to create more live-work-play environments. He emphasizes the significance of investing in smart policies to mitigate the long-term effects of this transition and set cities up for success in the coming decades.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play in the world of hybrid work and the key factors that contribute to the success or failure of companies as they navigate this uncharted territory.
Actionable Takeaways:
Discover the stages of grief executives go through when confronting the new reality of work and how to reach acceptanceLearn why companies founded after 2010 have a competitive edge in the era of flexible workUncover the challenges faced by people managers in the transition to hybrid work and strategies for overcoming themHear how successful companies take an iterative approach to implementing hybrid work policiesExplore the role of cities in adapting to the shift towards hybrid work and the importance of investing in smart policiesGain insights into the common pitfalls of viewing hybrid work as merely a policy change and the need for a holistic approachFind out how to leverage data and benchmarking to make informed decisions about office space and employee experienceUnderstand the potential impact of AI on the future of work and its interaction with hybrid work modelsLearn how to foster a culture of collaboration, documentation, and outcome-based management in a hybrid settingConnect with Rob Sadow
Flex Index
Flex Index Newsletter
Scoop Website
Rob Sadow LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this thought-provoking episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Shailendra Pratap Jain and Shalini Sarin Jain, co-authors of the book Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand. With decades of research and leadership experience, the Jains share compelling insights into how organizations can navigate brand crises with integrity and build resilience for the long term.
The conversation dives deep into the principles that distinguish brands like Tylenol, Patagonia, and Ben & Jerry’s as models of authenticity and trust. Shailendra and Shalini reveal why managing brand transgressions goes beyond crisis management—it’s about embedding empathy, accountability, and transparency into the very fabric of leadership and culture. Drawing on examples from global brands, they dissect what happens when organizations prioritize profits over principles and offer actionable strategies to strike the right balance.
As CEOs and senior executives face an age of hyper-connected digital transparency, this episode offers practical lessons on how to build trust and recover from missteps while strengthening your organization’s brand identity. Whether you're leading a small team or steering a multinational corporation, Shailendra and Shalini's insights will inspire you to rethink your approach to brand management in today’s complex landscape.
Actionable Takeaways:
Discover why addressing the pain of victims is the most critical first step in brand crisis management—and how few companies actually get it right. Learn the "gold standard" principles from Tylenol’s crisis response that can guide your organization in times of uncertainty. Hear how Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s have successfully aligned their brand values with their business strategies, creating deep loyalty and lasting impact. Uncover the risks of avoiding transparency in today’s digital age and why attempting to conceal mistakes often results in far greater consequences. Explore how leadership tone at the top shapes middle management and employee responses during crises, for better or worse. Find out how empowering employees with transparency and autonomy can turn them into frontline advocates for your brand, even during challenging times. Understand why balancing principles and profits is not just a moral dilemma but a strategic necessity in building sustainable brands. Learn how companies like Apple have turned public backlash into a moment to reinforce their brand authenticity and regain trust. Gain insights into the leadership actions that can prevent your organization from becoming a cautionary tale, even before a crisis hits.Connect with Shailendra Pratap Jain and Shalini Sarin Jain
Brand Transgressions Website
Shailendra Pratap Jain LinkedIn
Shalini Sarin Jain LinkedIn
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Allen Adamson, an influential thought leader in branding and marketing strategy and the author of the book Seeing the How: Transforming What People Do, Not Buy, to Gain Market Advantage. Adamson, whose experience spans working with major brands such as Unilever and Pepsi, brings a fresh perspective on how companies can differentiate themselves through customer experience innovation rather than relying solely on product features. His insights reveal the shift from traditional product-focused branding to creating memorable, seamless customer experiences that drive brand loyalty and relevance in today’s hyper-competitive market.
The conversation dives into why product innovations alone are no longer enough to sustain a competitive edge, particularly as competitors replicate features almost instantly. Instead, Adamson stresses the need to understand and adapt to the evolving customer journey, observing how even subtle shifts in consumer expectations can present significant opportunities for organizations willing to lead in experience innovation. He shares stories from his career that illustrate why experience-focused brands consistently outperform those fixated on their products.
Adamson also addresses the challenges of driving innovation in risk-averse organizations. He explains why the middle layers of management are often the biggest hurdles to change and offers actionable ideas for leaders to build a culture where innovation is encouraged and embraced. With real-world examples and strategic advice, he unpacks the role of cognitive diversity, customer empathy, and fresh perspectives in helping organizations anticipate market shifts before competitors do.
Finally, Adamson explores the balance of human and AI interactions in customer experience, emphasizing that while technology can reduce friction, there is always a place for the human touch.
Actionable Takeaways:
Hear how experience innovation can sustain a competitive edge even in industries saturated with similar products and services.Learn why your brand’s future depends on understanding the customer journey and why even small changes in consumer expectations can open big opportunities.Discover why “ordinary” is never memorable and why exceptional moments in the customer experience are what will get your brand noticed and shared.Find out how cognitive diversity and fresh perspectives can help leaders spot market shifts that others miss—and why this is essential to staying relevant.Uncover strategies to break through middle management resistance to change, allowing innovation to flow more effectively across all levels of your organization.Understand the role of paranoia in leadership success and why being overly comfortable can be detrimental in today’s fast-paced business environment.Hear Allen’s insights on simplifying complex processes to improve customer satisfaction, transforming obstacles into competitive advantages.See how adopting a “focus on what stays the same” approach can help your organization innovate meaningfully without chasing every shiny new trend.Learn why balance is key when integrating AI into customer interactions, maintaining a human touch to deliver a memorable, personalized experience.Connect wit
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli interviews philosopher, CEO, and bestselling author Brian Johnson on activating your organization's heroic potential. Having spent over half his career as a founder and business leader, Brian shares powerful insights on perseverance and excellence drawn from ancient wisdom and modern science.
In the conversation, Brian offers key lessons from his newest book, "Arete: Activate Your Heroic Potential," for overcoming adversity and leading teams through hardship. You'll discover Brian's fascinating concept of "anti-fragile confidence" and the rituals enabling leaders to cultivate it.
Hear how Brian trains his mind and body with world-class dedication - and why peak physical condition enables peak psychological performance when tackling stress. Finally, Brian defines the one "ultimate game" leaders must keep sight of in business and life.
In this conversation, you will learn:
Why leaders should see adversity as a creative "wrestling partner" sent to build skills, like an ancient Greek heroThe moment-by-moment visualizing tactic for closing gaps between your potential and reality How an elite military leader defined the key to emotional resilience (and how to develop more of this quality)Why protocols and checklists matter as much personally for CEOs as they do for pilots and surgeonsThe four timeframes for properly assessing progress while avoiding imposter syndrome How one trusted advisor coaches building "anti-fragile confidence" to thrive when problems intensifyThe critical question to ask when overwhelmed: "What's your protocol?" (and how to architect one)Why leaders should ask "What now?" rather than "Why me?" when adversity strikesConnect with Brian Johnson
Heroic
Brian Johnson
Arete: Activate Your Heroic PotentialConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:
Mahan Tavakoli Website
Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn
Partnering Leadership Website
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