Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Shaara Roman. Shaara Roman is the award-winning founder and CEO of The Silverene Group and author of The Conscious Workplace: Fortify Your Culture to Thrive in Any Crisis. Shara shares stories, examples, and insights on organizational culture and how leaders can intentionally nurture an inclusive culture that can thrive through any crisis.  

Some Highlights:

- How Shaara Roman's upbringing instilled in her a sense of curiosity, resilience, and independence, as well as an appreciation for different cultures

- The role of organizational culture in optimizing performance and thriving, especially during a crisis

- Why leaders need to be purpose-driven and have a growth mindset ---The importance of aligning people, strategy, and culture 

- Shaara Roman on how to foster an environment of curiosity

- How leaders can encourage employees to be authentic and question the status quo

- The best ways to promote a sense of belonging and connection among employees

- Shaara Roman on the keys to creating a culture of collaboration and trust 

- Why it's essential to create an environment where everyone is respected and valued

- The necessity of a culture of open communication and feedback

Connect with Shaara Roman:

Shaara Roman Website 

Shaara Roman on LinkedIn 

The Silverene Group Website 

The Conscious Workplace: Fortify Your Culture to Thrive in Any Crisis on Amazon 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Warren Berger. Warren is the author of multiple books on innovation and the power of questioning in leadership and everyday life. The conversation focused on Warren Berger's books A More Beautiful Question and The Book of Beautiful Questions. Warren shared thoughts on his study of the world's foremost innovators and creative thinkers, revealing what he has learned. Warren Berger also shared his insights into the natural tendency of questioning as a young child, the connection between curiosity and questioning, and why we suppress our questioning ability as we get older. Warren shared what leaders can do differently to encourage a culture of curiosity and tap into the power of inquiry. Finally, Warren Berger shared thoughts on developing the questioning skills critical for innovation, collaboration, and leading through uncertainty.  

Some Highlights:

- Why we become more reluctant to ask questions as we grow up

 - The external factors that shape our behavior and discourage us from asking questions

- Warren Berger on the power of questioning and how to do it well  

- Reasons why we tend to want leaders to have answers

 - The importance of questioning in the workplace

 - How leaders can encourage more effective questioning in the workplace 

 - Warren Berger on the relationship between curiosity and questioning 

- How to ask better questions and collaborate for innovation.   

Referenced:

Partnering Leadership conversation with David McRaney on How Minds Change 

Connect with Warren Berger:

Warren Berger Website 

Warren Berger on LinkedIn 

A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas on Amazon 

The Book of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead on Amazon 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks briefly about Google's strategic challenge with OpenAI's ChatGPT and highlights upcoming conversations on AI & the future of work, as well as a conversation with a pioneer of augmented reality.  The episode also includes a recent appearance by Mahan on Uwe Dockhorn's Lift-Off podcast.  In the discussion, Mahan shared more about his work with CEOs and their leadership teams to collaborate more effectively and align so they can execute their strategic plans better.  Mahan also talked about the impact of friction on execution and the lessons learned from the best leaders.  Finally, Mahan shared a personal "goosebump" with Uwe.  

Some highlights:

- Mahan on why the biggest challenge facing Google is not the technology

- Why team alignment and collaboration are essential to executing strategy

- The role that friction plays in keeping teams from effectively working together.

- One question that can help start a conversation around a growth mindset and show leadership vulnerability

- Mahan on the significant mistakes teams make with planning and execution

- What the most successful leaders have in common

- A four-step process to help assess and unleash team performance. 

- Mahan's "goosebump" moment

Resources:

Partnering Leadership conversation with Tom Taulli, author of Artificial Intelligence Basics

Partnering Leadership podcast solo episode on The Future is Now

Partnering Leadership conversation with Azeem Azhar, author of The Exponential Age

Partnering Leadership conversation with Steven Sasson, inventor of the digital camera at Kodak

Partnering Leadership podcast solo episode on A Powerful Question to Ask Yourself and Your Team

Connect with Uwe Dockhorn

Uwe Dockhorn Website 

Uwe Dockhorn on LinkedIn 

Uwe Dockhorn’s Lift-Off Podcast 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carmine Gallo. Carmine Gallo is a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His books include Talk Like TED, The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, The Storyteller's Secret, Five Stars, and his latest, The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World's Greatest Salesman. In the conversation, Carmine Gallo shared why many leaders struggle with telling their stories and why his latest research involved looking into how Jeff Bezos became such a powerful communicator and the lessons all leaders can learn from his communication practices. Carmine also shared how Jeff Bezos and Steve Jobs became better communicators, why storytelling is not a soft skill, and how to become a better storyteller. Finally, Carmine shared communications practices that can help all leaders communicate more effectively and have a more significant impact.

Some Highlights:

- The importance of communication skills in leadership

- The power of storytelling and why the human brain seeks narrative 

- Carmine Gallo on why executives struggle with storytelling and how to do it well

- How Jeff Bezos communicated and reinforced his vision for Amazon

- The Bezos shareholder letters and the power of simplicity

- Carmine Gallo on the CEO and leader as a repeater in chief

- How metaphors and symbols can play a role in supporting strategy

- Why Amazon became a writing culture rather than one reliant on Powerpoint presentations

Mentioned:

Partnering Leadership conversation with David Rubenstein, Founder of the Carlyle Group David Rubenstein  

Partnering Leadership conversation with John Rossman, author of The Amazon Way

Partnering Leadership conversation with Ann Hiatt, author of Bet on Yourself

Partnering Leadership conversation with Park Howell, author of Brand Bewitchery & The Narrative Gym for Business

Connect with Carmine Gallo

Carmine Gallo Website  

Carmine Gallo LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Indira Henard, Executive Director of the DC Rape Crisis Center ( DCRCC),  the oldest rape crisis center in the country.  Indira Henard talks about her upbringing in Chicago, Illinois, in a family of faith.  She also shares her transformative experience while at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.  Indira Henard talks about the reason she came to Washington DC and eventually chose to forgo an opportunity to work in the Obama administration to take on the challenge at DC Rape Crisis Center.  Indira Henard also talks about the challenges of leading a turnaround of DCRCC, leading the organization through the pandemic, and shares thoughts on how to lead teams for more engagement while continuing to go through uncertainty.   Finally, Indira Henard talks about her role as an adjunct professor at Catholic and Howard Universities.

Some highlights

- Indira Henard on growing up as the daughter of a Baptist minister and a social worker

- The transformative impact of Wheaton College 

- Indira Henard on why she chose to join DC Rape Crisis Center and eventually accept to become the organization’s executive director

- How Indira Henard was able to turn around an underperforming organization

- The Importance of humanity in leadership and the challenges brought on by the crisis

- Support of leaders from Leadership Greater Washington

- Importance of building connections among team members

- The Impact of Covid-19 on black nonprofit leaders

- Training the next generation o social workers

- The importance of mental health and healing for all, including organizational leaders

Connect with Indira Henard

DC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) Website 

Indira Henard on LinkedIn 

Indira Henard on Twitter 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tamsen Webster, renowned speaker, consultant, TEDx idea strategist, and author of Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible.  

In the conversation, Tamsen Webster shared how leaders can communicate, so their ideas resonate more with their audience. Tamsen also gave examples of why more than having a powerful idea is needed and some of the biggest reasons others don't embrace ideas. She also talked about the value of compelling storytelling and how to do it well using her 5-step Red Thread method. Finally, Tamsen Webster shared thoughts on how to find the appropriate stories to tell that fit the message and the role the 5-step Red Thread method can play in all forms of communication.  

Some Highlights:

- Tamsen Webster on why and how the best communicators show their work

- Using the Red Thread to connect the problem to the solution

- The necessity of revealing conflict in messaging

- Tamsen Webster on the moment of truth in powerful storytelling

- How silent assumptions impact the perception of a message

- The essential elements to incorporate in storytelling for transformational change

- Tamsen Webster on how to tell more persuasive stories and add clarity to your message

Connect with Tamsen Webster

Tamsen Webster Website 

Tamsen Webster on LinkedIn 

Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Ideas Irresistible on Amazon 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Joanne Irving, founder of Insight to Action Advisory and cofounder of The Chrysalis Group Inc.  Joanne Irving is also the author of  The C² Factor for Leadership: How the Alchemy of Curiosity and Courage Helps Leaders Become Champions and Lead Meaningful Lives.  In the conversation, Joanne Irving talks about her upbringing in a small town in Vermont and an incident from her childhood where she was eager to play with a group of kids who all went to day camp in the summer. She talks about how her experience as a newbie to the group made her both excited and nervous.  Joanne Irving shared the importance of courage and how it can be developed, and why it is important for that courage to accompany genuine curiosity.  Joanne Irving also stresses the importance of taking moments to be conscious and reflect on our lives. She explains that it takes courage to do this, but it is worth it in the end. Taking time to reflect can help us learn and grow as individuals.  Finally, Joanne Irving addresses how the practice of courage and curiosity can help teams thrive together.  

Some highlights

- Joanne Irving, on being a happy explorer 

- The power of positive feedback and how it can help develop strengths in others 

- The Importance of meditation and reflection in leadership

- The impact of organizational environment on people

- Joanne Irving on the power of curiosity and courage in leadership 

- Cognitive biases and their role in curiosity and courage

- The Dunning Kruger Effect and its role in curiosity

- The importance of leading with questions and respecting different voices

Resources:

C2 Factor Assessment 

Connect with Joanne Irving

Insight2Action Advisory Website 

Joanne Irving on LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jack Phillips, Chairman of ROI Institute, a world-renowned expert on accountability, measurement, and evaluation and author or editor of more than 75 books on evaluation, metrics, and analytics. The conversation focuses on Jack and Patti Phillips’ latest book,  Show the Value of What You Do: Measuring and Achieving Success in Any Endeavor.  In the conversation, Jack Phillips shares how his engineering background played a role in his understanding of measurement and how showing the value of what you do in a credible, logical, and rational way.  Jack Phillips also shares the importance of measuring impact to show the value and recalibrate projects and organizational initiatives.  Then Jack Phillips shares examples from various sectors on how measurement can be of real value to individuals, teams, and organizations.  Finally, Jack Phillips shares ideas on how organizations can focus on the right measures for alignment.

Some Highlights

- How Jack Phillips' background in engineering helped him think about the measurement of training

- Why it’s important to consistently measure and show the value of organizational projects and initiatives

- Jack Phillips gives examples of the importance of ROI, including in the public sector 

- Showing the value of spiritual care and its impact on health outcomes 

- Why do a lot of training measurement stops at “smile sheets”

- The importance of measuring learning and development impact 

- How to show the value of what you do no matter your role in the organization

- The role of employee ROI in performance management

- Jack Phillips on the power of OKRs in organizational alignment 

Connect with Jack Phillips

ROI Institute  

Jack Phillips on LinkedIn  

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with H.H. Leonards.  H.H. Leonards is the founder and chair of the O Street Museum Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and the Mansion on O Street, where Mrs. Rosa Parks called her home-away-from-home for the last decade of her life. H.H. Leonards is also the author of the book Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, and Leadership.  Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. In the conversation, H.H. Leonards shares why they connected on a deep level when she met Rosa Parks.  H.H. Leonards also shares both historical accounts recounted to her by Rosa Parks as well as her experience during the ten years Rosa Parks lived at the Mansion on O Street.  Finally, H.H. Leonards shares what Rosa Parks felt it would take to end racism and her hope for future generations.  The episode ends with the beautiful song “Enough” which was made to honor Rosa Parks.  The song lyrics are by Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams, and the music was written by Mark Bryan (lead guitarist for Hootie & the Blowfish) and Ranky Tanky, both Grammy winners. 

Some Highlights

-Why Rosa Parks came to Washington DC to live at the Mansion on O Street

-H.H. Leonards and Rosa Parks bonding over their shared values of family, love, and helping others

-Rosa Parks' role in the civil rights movement and the many challenges she faced after the Montgomery Bus Boycott

-The many myths surrounding Rosa Parks not giving up her seat on the bus and what really happened that fateful day and why

-H.H. Leonards on getting to know Rosa Parks even better, by accompanying her to meetings and through her touch

-Rosa Parks’ role in the founding of the National Organization for Women

-How Rosa Parks' meeting with Pope John Paul II came about and its significance

-Rosa Parks’ view on what it would take to help end racism

-The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom

-The three-city funeral for Rosa Parks

-A message that Rosa Parks would want to be passed on to future generations

Resources:

YouTube Video of Enough 

Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, and Leadership on Amazon 

Connect with H.H. Leonards

The Mansion on O Street 

H.H. Leonards on LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tom Taulli, author of multiple books, including Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction, which serves as the focus of this conversation.  Tom Taulli has been developing software since the 1980s. In college, he started his first company, which focused on developing e-learning systems. He also created other companies, including Hypermart.net, which was sold to InfoSpace in 1996. Along the way, Tom has written columns for online publications such as BusinessWeek.com, TechWeb.com, and Bloomberg.com. He also writes posts on Artificial Intelligence for Forbes.com and is the advisor to various companies in the space. In this conversation, Tom Taulli shares some of the key factors in AI and why understanding the role of AI in organizations will be critical for leaders.  Tom Taulli shares examples of uses of AI, including the role that ChatGPT can play for organizations and in transforming other aspects of life, including education.  Tom Taulli talks about some of the current use cases for AI in organizations and how leaders can start testing to familiarize themselves with the potential of AI for their teams and organizations.  Finally, Tom Taulli shares how nontechnical leaders can stay on top of emerging trends and ensure they are leading their teams and organizations with an understanding of their application in various parts of their business.  

Some highlights

- Tom Taulli on how he became emersed in technology and why he is now focused even more on artificial intelligence.

- The impact of AI on our approach to education

- Tom Taulli on the Venn diagram of AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning

- The different applications of AI 

- The potential impact of AI on human emotions

- The opportunities and dangers of big data 

- Data’s contribution to AI bias 

- The benefits and risks of AI in business

- How organizations can use Chat GPT 

- The evolution of conversational AI and where we are headed

- The Impact of OpenAI's Chat GPT-3 on the Future of AI

- How AI will impact cyber security and what leaders need to consider

- The potential impact of AI on industries as varied as healthcare, construction, and agriculture

- How AI could impact the future of employment and the future of work

Connect with Tom Taulli

Tom Taulli Website 

Tom Taulli on Twitter 

Tom Taulli on LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website