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What does leadership look like when power, pressure, and personal integrity collide?

In this episode of The Change Agent, Eric sits down with former senior government leader Jo Tarnawsky to examine what really happens inside high-stakes leadership environments—from diplomacy and politics to challenging organizational environments. Drawing on her experience at the highest levels of public service, Jo shares what most people never see: the informal power dynamics, the hidden negotiations, and the difficult leadership decisions that happen far from public view. 

This conversation explores the realities of institutional leadership, why high-performing ethical leaders are often targeted in unhealthy cultures, and what courage actually requires when silence feels safer than action. Jo also discusses her personal experience navigating adversity after challenging powerful systems, and how leaders can protect their identity and purpose when titles and positions change.

This is a discussion about consequential leadership—what it demands, what it costs, and why integrity often requires difficult choices.

Topics discussed include:

• How power actually works behind the scenes in government and institutions
• Why leadership success often depends on unseen influence and negotiation
• Early warning signs of toxic organizational cultures
• Why high-performing leaders can become targets in unhealthy systems
• The real meaning of courage in leadership environments
• The professional and personal risks of speaking truth to power
• Leadership identity beyond titles and positions
• How small acts of courage shape culture over time

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
01:05 What leadership inside government really looks like
12:08 How power and influence actually shape decisions
15:12 Recognizing toxic cultures early
20:01 Courage and the risks of speaking up
35:18 Leadership identity after adversity
40:42 Purpose-driven leadership after crisis
41:40 The long-term cost of leadership silence
43:58 Final leadership lessons on courage

About Jo Tarnawsky:

Jo Tarnawsky is a former senior government leader and advisor who has worked at the highest levels of diplomacy, politics, and public administration. Today she focuses on leadership advocacy, speaking, and advising organizations on power dynamics, workplace culture, and ethical leadership.

Connect with Jo Tarnawsky:Jo's Tarnawsky's Website: https://www.jotarnawsky.com/Jo's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-t-94568417a/

Jo's Substack: https://substack.com/@jotarnawsky