Partnering Leadership

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies. Troy LeMaile-Stovall has led the organization to cultivate an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem.

In this conversation, Troy LeMaile-Stovall discusses his upbringing and how it has impacted the kind of leader he is today. He shares how his experience as a Texan and a Catholic has shaped his leadership style and how he looks to have a greater impact as he leads TEDCO into the future.

Troy LeMaile-Stovall describes three defining moments in his life: coming from a divorced family in the Catholic Church, growing up with a sister who had sickle cell, and finding out that his biological father was not who he thought he was. These experiences have shaped his view of humanity and relationships.

Troy LeMaile-Stovall describes his journey to success, beginning with his humble upbringing in Houston, Texas. He talks about how he was the first black student body president of his high school and the salutatorian. He attributes his success to two things: strength and courage. He talks about how his sister Tracy was a big source of strength and courage for him throughout his life. He talks about how she helped him through difficult times, including when she was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.

Finally, Troy LeMaile-Stovall talks about his faith, gratitude, and purpose, what the future of work will look like and how economic development and regional cooperation can play a role in that future.

.

Some Highlights

-Troy LeMaile-Stovall's defining moments

-The importance of gratitude and purpose in everyday life

-How Troy LeMaile-Stovall found his calling in business

-Troy LeMaile-Stovall’s career journey

-The importance of understanding different perspectives in the workplace

-The impact of Covid-19 on economic metrics

-The benefits of collaboration in the DMV Region

- Troy LeMaile-Stovall on innovation in leadership

-How loss impacts our lives and how to use it to become stronger

-The impact of group-think on leadership

-Troy LeMaile-Stovall on reinventing TEDCO for the future

Connect with Troy LeMaile-Stovall

TEDCO Website 

Troy LeMaile-Stovall 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 Jennifer Brown, an award-winning thought leader globally renowned for her diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Jennifer Brown is also the author of How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive. In the conversation, In the conversation, Jennifer Brown discusses how her experience as an opera singer has helped her become a successful keynote speaker. She talks about how her background in a conservative, white majority area has shaped her views on feminism and LGBTQ rights. She also discusses how her work as an organizational change agent is a perfect fit for her skills and interests. Jennifer Brown goes on to talk about privilege's role in allowing people to awaken and follow their true identities. Jennifer Brown also shares her experiences of being exposed to new ideas in college and coming out as LGBTQ. She discusses how these experiences led her to commit to a life of purpose and mission focused on bringing greater workplace equity.  Finally, Jennifer Brown talks about how everyone can play a role in creating cultures of belonging.

Some highlights:

-Jennifer Brown discusses her upbringing, her work in the world, and how her experience as an opera singer has informed her work.

-The importance of equity in the workplace and how to become a more inclusive leader

-Jennifer Brown on the need for us to be willing to change

-How to lead in a shifting environment 

-The role that storytelling plays in inclusive leadership

-How to use privilege to advocate for change 

-The role that the five stages of grief play in the conversations on DEI

Connect with Jennifer Brown:

Jennifer Brown Consulting 

Jennifer Brown on LinkedIn 

Jennifer Brown on Twitter 

How to Be an Inclusive Leader, Second Edition: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive on Amazon 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode, Mahan Tavakoli discusses why open access to powerful conversational chatbots will be viewed in the future as a transformational moment, potentially equaling the wide use and disruptive impact of the internet or smartphones. Mahan shares why artificial intelligence is starting its exponential growth curve and will impact all aspects of our lives and organizations. He uses the introduction of the robust conversational AI platform, ChatGPT as an example of how AI will transform our relationship with technology, leading to what he believes will be an augmented future of work. Mahan also talks about why leaders at all levels of organizations need to familiarize themselves with artificial intelligence, its many applications, and its potential impact. That's why this year, Partnering Leadership will feature interviews with artificial intelligence experts on AI's impact on organizations and society. Finally, Mahan shares a couple of fun pieces written by ChatGPT to get the listeners to think about the potential of conversational AI, not just as it stands currently but its creative potential uses in the coming years.

Mentioned:

Partnering Leadership conversation with Azeem Azhar on his book The Exponential Age: How Accelerating Technology is Transforming Business, Politics, and Society 

Partnering Leadership conversation with Mark Johnson on his book Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth

Partnering Leadership conversation with Bob Johansen on his book Full-Spectrum Thinking: How to Escape Boxes in a Post-Categorical Future

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Professor Vanessa Bohns. Dr. Vanessa Bohns is a social psychologist, an award-winning researcher and teacher, and a professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. Vanessa Bohns is also the author of the book: You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters. In this conversation, Vanessa Bohns shares insights on how we influence those around us and how to harness our influence to make a positive difference in leadership. 

Some Highlights: 

- Why do we tend to underestimate our influence

- Vanessa Bohns on why it's hard for us to ask for things 

- Why it's hard when asked to say no 

- How social pressures influence behavior

- Understanding the impact of power roles on the influence in organizations

- The disadvantages of working remotely vs. in person when it comes to influencing at work

- Vanessa Bohns on how we can be better at understanding other people's perspectives

Also mentioned in this episode:

- Marianne LA France, author and a professor of Psychology at Yale University

- Erica Boothby, a researcher, and Instructor in the Operations, Information, & Decisions Department at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Books Mentioned:

- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

- You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters by Vanessa Bohns

Connect with Vanessa Bohns:

Vanessa Bohns Official Website

Vanessa Bohns on LinkedIn

Vanessa Bohns on Twitter: @profbohns

Vanessa Bohns on Instagram: @profbohns

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

MahanTavakoli.com

More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: 

PartneringLeadership.com

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Stephanie Linnartz, currently President of Marriott International, Inc., the world's largest hospitality company. 

Last week, Stephanie Linnartz announced that effective February 24, 2023, she will be leaving Marriott to take on the role of President & CEO of Under Armour.

Under Armour founder and Executive Chairman Kevin Plank said Stephanie Linnartz was selected after a 7-month search partly because of her digital skills and success in transforming Marriott’s online presence. 

While this conversation was recorded earlier this year and before this announcement, there are many leadership lessons and insights shared by  Stephanie Linnartz, shedding more light on her capabilities as a transformational leader.  

In the conversation, Stephanie Linnartz shares the role her upbringing played in her seeking a career at Marriott and how she rose through the ranks in the organization. Stephanie also shares the devastating impact of the pandemic alongside losing the organization's beloved CEO, Arne Sorenson, and how the leadership team was able to stay focused on their values through the most challenging days of the pandemic. Stephanie Linnartz also shared Marriott's commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals and examples of what the organization is doing to follow through on the commitments while growing.

Some highlights:

- Stephanie Linnartz's upbringing and passion for taking care of others

- Rising at Marriott International

- How Stephanie Linnartz and Marriott's senior team handled the worst of the crisis

- Losing a beloved CEO in Arne Sorenson and lessons learned

- Stephanie Linnartz on why companies are defined by how they deal with a crisis

- Organizational purpose and how to live it

- Stephanie Linnartz on the future of work and travel

- Marriott and Stephanie's commitment to greater equity and diversity

- Stephanie Linnartz on the need for self-renewal and reinvention

Mentioned in this episode:

- Judy Samuelson, Founder and Executive Director of Aspen Institute Business and Society Program (Listen to Judy’s episode on Partnering Leadership)

- Ranjay Gulati, Professor at Harvard Business School (Listen to Ranjay’s episode on Partnering Leadership)

Connect with Stephanie Linnartz:

Marriott Hotels

Stephanie Linnartz on LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

MahanTavakoli.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/

More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: 

PartneringLeadership.com

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David McRaney. David McRaney is a science journalist, host of the You Are Not So Smart podcast, and an internationally best-selling author of books, including his latest, How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion. In the conversation, David McRaney shares the origin of his fascination with persuasion and his thoughts on the basis of how we form our beliefs. David McRaney shared examples of psychological factors contributing to the rigidity of our opinions and beliefs. Finally, David McRaney shared the many challenges in changing minds and how minds change.  

Some Highlights:

-David McRaney on why he became fascinated with the origin of our belief systems

-Where do our beliefs come from, and how do we form opinions?

-David McRaney on why all reasoning is motivated 

-Why we modulate our responses and how that impacts teams and organizations

-The status game and the role it plays in all aspects of life, including at work

-David McRaney on the impact of pluralistic ignorance on groups and organizations

-Why we are more worried about disagreeing with "us" than with "them"

-David McRaney on the fear of social death and how it impacts team interactions

-The reason why some become part of conspiracy theory communities

-David McRaney on what leads to the "false flag operation" explanation

-Impact of minimal group paradigm on decision making

-David McRaney on why are we persuaded by some points of view and not by others

-Why and how people change their minds

-The one question that can help you become more persuasive

-David McRaney on the most crucial question to ask ourselves before seeking to change someone else's mind

Connect with David McRaney

David McRaney Website 

David McRaney's You Are Not So Smart podcast

David McRaney on LinkedIn

David McRaney on Twitter

How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion on Amazon

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website:

https://www.partneringleadership.com/

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi,  astrophysicist, STEM educator, multi-patented inventor, keynote speaker, and author of A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars. In the conversation, Hakeem  Oluseyi shares his journey of overcoming adversities and becoming a leading astrophysicist of this generation. Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi also talked about his ability to explain astrophysics in a way that engages audiences and the value of exposing more children to science. Finally, Dr. Oluseyi shared some mind-stretching perspectives about the nature of our existence. 

Some highlights:

-Hakeem Oluseyi on the importance of reading and how it impacted his life

-Facing challenges as a young adult and falling in love with the universe and physics

-Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi on a quantum life and the role of willpower

-Astrophysics and the importance of learning about the stars

-Hakeem Oluseyi on the sun, stars, and the future of life on earth 

Mentioned: 

- Art Walker, solar physicist and a pioneer of EUV/XUV optics

- Dr. Kervin Evans,  research physical scientist with the USDA Agriculture Research Service

Connect with Hakeem Oluseyi:

A Quantum Life on Amazon

Hakeem Oluseyi on Facebook

Hakeem Oluseyi on Instagram

Hakeem Oluseyi on Twitter

Hakeem Oluseyi on LinkedIn

 
Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

https://mahantavakoli.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/

More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: 

https://www.partneringleadership.com/

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Stephen M.R. Covey. Stephen M.R. Covey is the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of The Speed Of Trust,  former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, and author of Trust And Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others. Stephen shares why many leaders are still operating with a command and control mindset and the need to develop the mindset and capabilities of becoming trusting and inspiring leaders. Stephen M.R. Covey shares stories and frameworks on how we can better understand trust in leadership and how trust and inspire leaders can unleash the potential of their teams and organizations.   

Some highlights:

-Stephen M.R. Covey on the crucial role that parents play in teaching responsibility, commitment, and initiative and how his father, Stephen Covey, applied trust and inspire principles in his parenting

-On why traditional leadership models do not work with the changing world and in the new work environment

-Stephen M.R. Covey on the stewardships of leadership

-How leaders can lead behavior change in their organizations 

-Stephen M.R. Covey on the role trust plays in leadership and how leaders can become more trusting 

-The power of inspiring others and its impact on leadership

-What it takes to become a trust inspire leader

Mentioned:

- Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

- David Marquet (Listen to David Marquet episode on Partnering Leadership)

- Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, author of Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You

- Jim Collins, author of Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't 

Connect with Stephen M.R. Covey:

Trust and Inspire

Trust and Inspire on Amazon

Speed of Trust 

The Speed of Trust on Amazon

Stephen M.R. Covey on Facebook

Stephen M.R. Covey on Twitter

Stephen M.R. Covey on LinkedIn

 
 Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

https://mahantavakoli.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/

More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: 

https://www.partneringleadership.com/

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Chuck Robb, Virginia's 64th governor from 1982 to 1986 and U.S. senator from 1989–to 2001. Governor Chuck Robb is also the author of In the Arena: A Memoir of Love War and Politics. In the conversation, Governor Chuck Robb shares his story of joining the Marines, being assigned to the White House, serving in Vietnam, and marrying President Lyndon Baines Johnson's daughter, Linda Bird Johnson. Chuck Robb also talked about his leadership journey in public service as Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and a U.S. Senator representing the Commonwealth of Virginia and being appointed as co-chair of The Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission by President Bush. Finally,  Senator Robb talks about how the best leaders approach leadership and their impact.

Some highlights:

-Chuck Robb's formative years in the Marines and being in the White House as a military social aid

-On being a good leader and how to get the respect of people that you are working with

-Chuck Robb recalls meeting, getting engaged, and then marrying President Johnson's daughter Linda 

-Why Chuck Robb asked to serve in combat in Vietnam

-Going back to law school and what drove Chuck Robb to start his career in politics

-Why Governor Chuck Robb didn't run for President

-Senator Chuck Robb, on his vote against the Defense of Marriage Act

-The appointment by President Bush to co-chair the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission

Mentioned:

In the Arena: A Memoir of Love, War, and Politics on Amazon

Senator Chuck Robb's speech on the Democratic National Convention Day 

Senator Chuck Robb's (D-VA) speech on the Defense of Marriage Act (September 1996)

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

https://mahantavakoli.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/

More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: 

https://www.partneringleadership.com/

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Alden Mills, former Navy SEAL platoon commander and Co-Founder and C.E.O. of Perfect Fitness, an Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company. Alden Mills is also the best-selling author of Be Unstoppable: The 8 Essential Actions to Succeed at Anything and Unstoppable Teams: The Four Essential Actions of High-Performance Leadership. In the conversation, Alden Mills discusses his C.A.R.E. framework and the four essential actions of high-performance leadership. Alden Mills also shares specific strategies he uses in coaching leadership teams to higher performance levels.  

Connect with Alden Mills

Alden Mills Website 

Alden Mills on LinkedIn 

Unstoppable Teams on Amazon
Be Unstoppable on Amazon

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website:

https://www.partneringleadership.com/

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website