Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jean Case, Chairman of National Geographic Society, CEO of the Case Foundation, CEO of Case Impact Network, and author of Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. Jean Case talks about the 5 Principles to cultivate fearlessness: 1) Make a Big Bet 2) Be bold, take risks 3) Make failure matter 4) Reach beyond your bubble and 5) Let urgency conquer fear. Jean discusses each principle, citing real-life stories and offering meaningful advice to truly Be Fearless. 

Some highlights:

-Why parents should encourage their children to take risks even at a young age

-Jean Case’s upbringing and why it is usually ordinary people who tend do extraordinary things

-On making a big bet, but starting where you are

-Jean Case’s career at General Electric and why she took the risk and left

-The important role of failure and how you can make it matter

-Jean’s advice on taking risks and facing failure

-Jean Case on intentionality and measuring what matters when breaking barriers

-How diversity can benefit organizations

-Why Jean Case believes fear is never absent and how you can let the power of urgency help you conquer fear 

-How to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations

-Jean Case on using social media for deep listening and connecting to your stakeholders 

-On starting your leadership journey by finding solutions to problems others don’t see

Mentioned:

Barbara Van Dahlen, founder and president of Give an Hour

How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson

Brave Companions by David McCullough

The Premonition by Michael Lewis

Connect with Jean Case:

Be Fearless Book Website

Be Fearless on Amazon

Case Foundation Be Fearless Hub Website

Case Foundation Website

National Geographic Society Website

Jean Case on Facebook

Jean Case on Twitter

Jean Case on LinkedIn

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, David Rubenstein, co-founder & co-chairman of Carlyle Group & President of the Economic Club of Washington DC, shares his journey from working at the White House to starting one of the largest private equity investment firms globally. He also talks about his leadership lessons, philanthropy, Peer-to-Peer interviewing for the Economic Club of Washington DC and Bloomberg TV, and the legacy he plans to leave behind. 

Some highlights:

- David Rubenstein’s childhood and how he became an avid reader

- David’s experience at the White House working for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter

- The story behind David Rubenstein helping co-found the Carlyle Group

- On becoming Carlyle Group’s fundraiser and how David increased its visibility 

- David Rubenstein’s leadership practices and values

- ‘Patriotic Philanthropy’ and David Rubenstein’s signing of the giving pledge

- David Rubenstein on the value of family and the importance of raising successful children

- Why David Rubenstein accepted to become the President of The Economic Club of Washington DC and then decided to change the format. 

- Becoming a Peer-to-Peer interviewer: on self-deprecating humor, being a good listener, and more

- Leadership lessons from David Rubenstein’s book, How to Lead

- On his passion for capturing the ‘American experiment’ and his opinion on America today

- David Rubenstein’s desire for impact as he ‘sprints’ to leave a legacy 

- Why David Rubenstein reads over 100 books a year and encourages others to read more

- On moving forward post-COVID with ongoing transformation and change

Mentioned in this episode:

-Ted Sorensen, lawyer, and advisor to former President John F. Kennedy

-Birch Bayh, former senator

-Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President

-Alfred E. Kahn, economic advisor

-William E. Simon, businessman, philanthropist, and 63rd United States Secretary of the Treasury

-James Baker III, former United States Secretary of State

-George H. W. Bush, 41st U.S. President

-Frank Carlucci, former U.S. Secretary of Defense

-John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States

-Vernon Jordan, business executive, and civil rights activist

-Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist

-Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

-Indra Nooyi, CEO of of Pepsico

-Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

-Tim Cook, CEO of Apple

-Marc Andreessen, entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer

-Andrew Grove, businessman, engineer, and former CEO of Intel Corporation

Book Recommendations:
-Patriots of Two Nations by Spencer Critchley

-How to Lead by David Rubenstein

Connect with David Rubenstein:

David Rubenstein Website

The Carlyle Group Website

The David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-Peer

The Economic Club of Washington D.C. Website

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

MahanTavakoli.com

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 Linda Rabbitt, the founder and chairman of Rand Construction, who is recognized as Washingtonian of the Year, and is in Washington's Business Hall of Fame. Linda shares her experiences overcoming breakage and setbacks, and how she used adversity as a motivator to achieve success.

Highlights:

- Why and how  Linda Rabbitt started all over again at age 32 

- Linda Rabbitt’s career at KPMG and how she rose in the organization

- Linda’s bold step into the business world as a partner in the first female owned construction company in the Washington DC region

- How building a support group of women in the real estate industry helped her grow her company and give back to others

- Linda Rabbitt’s battle with cancer as she became chair elect of the Greater Washington Board of Trade

- Linda’s passion for women in leadership and her advice to young female leaders on resilience

Also mentioned in this episode:

Steve Harlan, former Vice-Chairman-International at KPMG

Sherri Turner, Linda’s former business partner

Mark Anderson, partner at Rand Construction

Jon Couch, former president at Rand Construction

Zig Ziglar, author and motivational speaker

Connect with Linda Rabbitt:

Linda Rabbitt on LinkedIn

Rand Construction’s Website

Rand Construction on Instagram

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 Wendy Ryan. Wendy Ryan is the CEO of Kadabra, an interdisciplinary team of leadership and organizational change experts based in Silicon Valley, California. Wendy Ryan shares leadership lessons from her consulting experience and her book, Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act, and Inspire Your Way to Greatness.

Some Highlights:

- Wendy Ryan shares how we can develop greater self-awareness.

- Why leaders need to start with "Who" then consider the "What" "When" "Where" and "How."

- Why a growth mindset is necessary for leading change in the organization.  

- Wendy Ryan shares how leaders can encourage people to take risks and hold their team members accountable.

- Wendy Ryan on the need for greater equity and inclusion.

Also mentioned:

Partnering Leadership Conversation with Nadya Zhexembayeva

Partnering Leadership Conversation with Bob Johansen

Connect with Wendy Ryan:

Wendy Ryan on LinkedIn

Wendy Ryan on Kadabra

Learn Lead Lift: How to Think, Act and Inspire Your Way to Greatness 

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 Tony Cancelosi, president and CEO of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind. Tony Cancelosi shares delightful stories from his life, from when he was a child growing up in an Italian neighborhood to dressing up as Santa Claus annually earlier in his career. He also shares what eventually led him to start doing community service and what keeps him going through hard times like the pandemic.

Some highlights:

- Tony Cancelosi’s childhood growing up in an Italian neighborhood in South Phildelphia

- Dressing up as Santa Claus for more than 20 years and its impact in Tony’s life

- Tony Cancelosi’s career at Control Data and how it started his community service journey

- How Tony Cancelosi became chairman of Service Source, an organization that helps indvidials with down syndrome and other disabilities, and later, Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

- Why Tony Cancelosi decided to form alliances with Leadership Greater Washington and other more organizations

- How Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind is serving its constituents through the pandemic

- The legacy Tony Cancelosi hopes for Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind to leave behind

Mentioned:

Patrick Burke, executive director of the DC Police Foundation

Connect with Tony Cancelosi:

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind Website

Tony Cancelosi on LinkedIn

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 Carson Tate. Carson Tate is the founder and managing partner of Working Simply, Inc., a business consulting firm that partners with organizations, business leaders, and employees to enhance workplace productivity, foster employee engagement, and build personal and professional legacies. Carson Tate shares lessons from her most recent book: Own It. Love It. Make It Work: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job. 

Some Highlights:

- How understanding your strengths can turn your current job into your dream job

- Carson Tate shares tips and examples on how to seek feedback. 

- How to find more meaning in your job

- Carson talks about how naming and claiming your fears can work to your advantage.

- How to get the right kind of recognition.

- Carson Tate on passion and joy in the workplace.

- The platinum rule, as Carson Tate talks about it.

- Carson Tate on how asking the right questions can help you design your work, so it meets personal and professional goals.

Also mentioned:

Carson Tate’s book “Own It. Love It. Make It Work.: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job”

Connect with Carson Tate:

Carson Tate at LinkedIn

Carson Tate at workingsimply.com 

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 shares a key challenge facing leaders: the continuation of uncertainty concerning many aspects of work, including a return to the office. Mahan talks about the need for leaders to continue leading with great empathy with genuine humility on the exact future, yet confidence with the ability to navigate whatever lies ahead.  

Some highlights:

- Mahan Tavakoli explains why there is no going “back to normal”

- Empathy and conveying hope as leadership superpowers

- Balancing confidence and humility in leading teams forward

- On why continual learning is essential in the next era of work

- Continuing your leadership journey with a ‘learn it all’ mindset

Mentioned:
- Leading with empathy and hope, Mahan Tavakoli Partnering Leadership Insight episode (Listen to this episode here)

- Satya Nadella, chief executive officer of Microsoft

- Christopher Lochhead, author and podcaster

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 Gia Nardini, an assistant professor in marketing at the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business and co-author of the research paper, Together We Rise: How Social Movements Succeed. Gia Nardini talked about the elements that make social movements successful, and the lessons leaders can learn, whether in leading social movements or their teams and organization.

Some highlights:

- Gia Nardini's take on consumer behavior to address food deserts and poverty

- The difference between bystanders and upstanders

- Gia Nardini on why bystanders remain bystanders despite witnessing unethical behaviors

- Gia Nardini on how to become leaderful and encourage bystanders to step up and become upstanders

- The foundation of a successful social movement and organizational change

- The importance of winning hearts and minds in leading successful change

Also mentioned in this episode:

- Greg Satell, author of Cascades (Listen to Greg’s episode on Partnering Leadership Podcast here)

- Rishad Tobaccowala, author of Restoring the Soul of Business (Listen to Rishad’s episode on Partnering Leadership Podcast here)

- Together We Rise: How Social Movements Succeed by Gia Nardini, Tracy Rank-Christman, Melissa G. Bublitz, Samantha N. N. Cross, Laura A. Peracchio

- How Change Happens: Why Some Social Movements Succeed While Others Don't by Leslie R. Crutchfield

- Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant

- The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday 

Connect with Gia Nardini:

Gia Nardini on University of Denver, Daniels College of Business

Gia Nardini on LinkedIn

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 Steve Preston, President, and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. Steve Preston has extensive private sector experience and served as the US Department of Housing and Urban Development secretary and as the US Small Business Administration administrator. Steve Preston shared what influenced him to serve in government and how he led the US Small Business Administration and Department of Housing and Urban development during times of national crisis. Steve Preston also talked about his mission of helping people access employment opportunities, leading him to become CEO of Goodwill Industries International. Steve Preston shares strategies for bridging the opportunity gap, enabling organizations to tap into new pools of employees.

Some highlights:

- Steve Preston talks about his parents' role in his deep sense of values and sensitivity to inequities in society.  

- How Steve Preston led the transformation of the Small Business Administration and Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

- Steve Preston on his personal mission and the opportunity to lead Goodwill Industries International. 

- The significant impact of giving people access to opportunities.

- Steve Preston on the role of employers in providing opportunities and building the workforce of the future.  

Also mentioned in this episode:

Gina Schaefer, the Co-Founder, and CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores (Listen to Gina’s episode on Partnering Leadership Podcast here)

Connect with Steve Preston:

Steven Preston on LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

MahanTavakoli.com

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 Jason Richmond. Jason is the president, CEO, and Chief Culture Officer at Ideal Outcomes. Jason Richmond is the author of Culture Spark: 5 Steps to Ignite and Sustain Organizational Growth and his most recent book Culture Ignited: Five Disciplines for Adaptive Leadership. In addition to speaking about the importance of organizational culture, Jason Richmond shared specific actions leaders can take to ignite their team's culture.  

Some Highlights:

- Jason Richmond on how leaders can assess the strengths and weaknesses of their organizational culture. 

- Jason explains adaptive leadership and why it matters in today's organizations.

- How to connect trust and authenticity to create the right culture for your organization.

- Jason Richmond on the role performance management plays in organizational culture.

- Jason on the best practices for building capabilities and developing talent in the organization.

Also mentioned:

- Strategic Doing: Ten Skills for Agile Leadership - book by Edward Morrison, Scott Hutcheson, Janyce Fadden, Elizabeth Nilsen, Nancy Franklin

- Sooner Safer Happier: Antipatterns and Patterns for Business Agility - book by Myles Ogilvie, Simon Rohrer, and Zsolt Berend

Connect with Jason Richmond:

Jason Richmond at Ideal Outcome

Culture Spark: 5 Steps to Ignite and Sustain Organizational Growth

Culture Ignited: 5 Disciplines for Adaptive Leadership

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