Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carla Reid, General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water. Carla Reid talks about overcoming setbacks in life, resilience in leadership, and rebranding organizational culture with a vision and strategy for a positive impact on customers and the community.

Some highlights:

-Exposure and experience as crucial factors in figuring out your interests

-Carla Reid's thoughts on taking on challenges and creating solutions

-The why and how of self-care for leaders

-Carla Reid on her efforts to rebrand and reset the culture at WSSC

-How Carla Reid used her setbacks as a stepping stone towards achieving her goals

-Carla's vision for the future of WSSC

Also mentioned in this episode:

-Ike Leggett, County Executive of Montgomery County (2006-2018)

-Rushern Baker, County Executive of Prince George's County (2010–2018)

-The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Book by Stephen Covey

Connect with Carla Reid

Carla Reid on LinkedIn

Carla Reid on Twitter

WSSC Water Website

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 talks about one of the lessons he learned from Italians on the value of disconnecting from work and the value of that disconnection to deep thinking required for leadership in disruptive times.  

Some highlights:

-The Italians take their holidays seriously

-Busyness doesn't help us in business

-Leadership requires disconnecting and reflecting

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 Joe Gardemal. Joe serves as a managing director in the Washington DC office of Alvarez and Marcel and has over 30 years of experience in accounting, including in forensic accounting. He is a veteran of the Iraq war and is a recipient of a bronze star for his command during the Iraq campaign. Currently, Joe is the court-appointed independent monitor over GPB Capital Holdings.  

Some highlights:

-Joe Gardemal talks about how to take advantage of post-traumatic stress growth.

-Using the experience and lessons learned in the conflict zone to be more resilient and effective as a leader in the corporate world. 

-Joe Gardemal as an advocate for the investors and his mindset on protecting their interests.

-Having an objective and the willingness to modify your behavior to achieve your goal.  

-Joe Gardemal’s take on how to be impactful as a leader.

Also Mentioned in this Episode:

-The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

-Partnering Leadership conversation with John Veihmeyer

Connect with Joe Gardemal:

Joe Gardemal @ Alvarez & Marsal Disputes and Investigations

Joe Gardemal @ 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 Dr. Jonathan Westover, Chair of Organizational Leadership Development at Utah Valley University and author of The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership.  Dr. Jonathan Westover shares how you can tap into your own personalized leadership journey, expand your leadership potential, and grow as a leader while also helping others grow. 

Some highlights:

-How experiencing different cultures influenced Jonathan Westover’s outlook on leadership

-The meaning behind the title ‘The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership’

-Why there are no short-cuts, quick fixes, and one-size-fit-all approaches to growing as a leader

-What it means to lead with a ‘bluer than indigo’ mindset

-Not everyone can be Elon Musk: why emulating exceptional leaders is not a good strategy

-How to uncover leadership blind spots through Johari’s Window

-Dr. Jonathan Westover on a Growth culture vs. Performance culture

-Why journey and process matter

-How to nurture a purpose-driven culture and motivate people 

. . . . .

Also Mentioned in this episode:

-Clayton Christensen, Harvard Business School professor and author

-The Why of Work: How Great Leaders Build Abundant Organizations That Win by Dave Ulrich

-Carol Dweck, psychologist and author of Mindset

-Anyaele Sam Chiyson, author

. . . . .

Connect with Dr. Jonathan Westover:

The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership on Amazon

Human Capital Innovations website

Jonathan Westover on LinkedIn

Jonathan Westover on Twitter

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 talks with Professor Robert Bies. Bob Bies is a Professor of Management and founder of the Executive Masters in Leadership program at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. Dr. Robert Bies shares different frameworks and models on how to become a more purpose-driven and impactful leader.

Some highlights:

-Robert Bies shares the role social justice can play in leading purpose-driven organizations.  

-The Tao of Pooh – How Winnie-the-Pooh's simple-minded approach can help you become a more effective leader.

-Professor Robert Bies on the necessity for personal mission statements.   

-Dr. Robert Bies discusses three different kinds of trust and how leaders can build trust in their teams and organizations. 

-Three moments of joy – How to effectively deal with challenging times.

Also mentioned in this episode:

-The Leadership Challenge by Cruises and Posner

-Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer

-Lives of Moral Leadership: Men and Women who have made a difference by  Robert Cole

-The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

-Tom Peters 

Connect with Robert Bies:

Robert Bies on LinkedIn

Robert Bies Georgetown University

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, Greg Satell, writer, speaker, innovation advisor, an expert on transformational change, and author of Cascades, shares lessons on how leaders can lead transformation in their organizations and the community.  Greg Satell shares lessons learned from past transformations and how leaders can help lead change in organizations, especially through ongoing disruption.

Some highlights:

-Why Greg Satell moved to Poland and what it was like living in a post-communist country

-How the Orange Revolution transformed Greg Satell’s perspective on change

-‘Viral cascades’ and how leaders can use the understanding to drive transformational change in organizations

-Greg Satell on the value of shared Purpose and Shared Values

-How to best deal with fierce oppositions when driving change

-How to empower people to succeed on their own terms

-Gregg Satell on why Blockbuster failed to adapt and change and lessons for leaders of transformation

Mentioned in this episode:

Duncan J. Watts, sociologist 

Steven Strogatz, mathematician

Albert-László Barabási, physicist

Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire by Rebecca M. Henderson

Prosperity: Better Business Makes the Greater Good by Colin Mayer

Louis V. Gerstner Jr., former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of IBM

Immanuel Kant, philosopher

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by Stanley A. McChrystal and Chris Fussell

One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams by Charles Goodyear and Chris Fussell

John F. Antioco, former CEO of Blockbuster and chairman of Red Mango

Carl Icahn, former CEO of Blockbuster and founder and controlling shareholder of Icahn Enterprises

Mapping Innovation: A Playbook for Navigating a Disruptive Age by Greg Satell

Adversaries Into Allies: Win People Over Without Manipulation Or Coercion by Bob Burg

The Halo Effect by Phil Rosenzweig

. . . . .

Connect with Greg Satell:

Cascades on Amazon

Greg Satell’s Website

Digital Tonto Website

Greg Satell on LinkedIn

Greg Satell on Clubhouse

. . . . .

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 Kim Alfonso, co-founder, and CEO of Results One. Kim Alfonso talks about advocating for people with disabilities, immersing herself in the disability world, and her mission to create a community that embodies dignity, respect, accessibility, and inclusion. 

Some highlights:

-Kim Alfonso on her leadership challenges at Merck

-Kim Alfonso on her inspiration to become an advocate for people with disabilities

-Promoting accessibility and inclusion as a passion and as a business

-Kim Alfonso on how has the pandemic impacted people with disabilities 

-Integrating business practices in nonprofit organizations

-Supporting the growth of black businesses by providing resources and opportunities for networking

-Kim Alfonso on how mentors and leadership programs can help develop better leaders

. . . . .

Also mentioned in this episode:

-Dr. Bette Catoe, pediatrician

-Tony Cancelosi, President and CEO of Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind

-Rosie Allen-Herring, President and CEO of the United Way NCA 

 (Listen to Rosie Allen-Herring’s episode here)

. . . . .

Connect with Kim Alfonso:

Kim Alfonso on LinkedIn

Results One Official Website

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 Minter Dial, a keynote speaker, storyteller, book author, and award-winning film producer.  Minter Dial shares lessons learned in leading brands, building communities, and about his latest book: You Lead: How Being Yourself Makes You a Better Leader.

Some Highlights:

-Minter Dial talks about the need for constant learning. 

-How to lead with greater authenticity. 

-Self-awareness is key to authenticity and leadership.

-Minter Dial on why clarity of purpose matters.

-The why and how of building community.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Johann Hari – Author of Lost Connections

Victor Frankl – Author of Man’s Search for Meaning

Dr. Atul Gawande – Author of Being Mortal

. . . . .

Connect with Minter Dial:

Minter Dial on LinkedIn

Minter Dial on Twitter

Minter Dial on Facebook

Minter Dial on Instagram

Minter Dial podcast

Minter Dial website

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 Tamara Copeland. Tamara led the Voices of America’s Children early on and  was appointed  legislative director for former Congressman Bobby Scott, and eventually served as the president of The Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. She is also the author of “DAUGHTERS OF THE DREAM: Eight Girls from Richmond Who Grew Up in the Civil Rights Era”, a book about friendship formed from shared experiences during the civil rights and racial justice movements era.



Some highlights:

-Tamara Copeland shares her thoughts on conformity and how leaders need to balance it while advocating while advancing their agenda. 

-Tamara Copeland shares why she became an advocate for children.  

-How the power of public policy can effectively create change on a macro level. 

-Tamara’s take on systemic racism and how to put the conversation on the table.

. . . . .

Connect with Tamara Copeland:

Tamara Copeland on LinkedIn

Tamara Copeland on Twitter

DAUGHTERS OF THE DREAM: Eight Girls from Richmond Who Grew Up in the Civil Rights Era

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, Dr. Akhtar Badshah, expert on social impact, philanthropy, CSR and international development, and author of The Purpose Mindset: How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World, shares impactful stories from his time heading Microsoft philanthropies and the many transformative movements Microsoft employees and alumni have started. He emphasizes that all it takes is a moment to recognize how we can bring change to our communities and turn it into a movement. 

Some highlights:

-Dr. Akhtar Badshah’s architecture background and how it shaped his view of the world

-Akhtar Badshah’s career heading Microsoft philanthropies and the community-engaging programs he oversaw

-Shifting from a ‘me’ to a ‘we’ mindset and how it breaks down barriers

-Recognize who you want to serve, not who you want to be

-Dr. Akhtar Badhsah on the 5 principles to develop a purpose mindset

-Taking a moment and bringing it into a movement: the inspiring stories of Microsoft employees and alumni Roberto D'Angelo & Francesca Fedeli, Trish Millines Dziko, Kevin Wang, Claire Bonilla, and more

-Practicing humility in philanthropy by ‘tasting the ground you’re going to walk on’

-What we can learn from the lives of Nobel Peace laureates 

-Akhtar Badshah on why compassion triumphs over passion

-Akhtar Badshah on finding your purpose and shining your light so others can shine too

Mentioned in this episode:

Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, investor, author, and philanthropist

Mary Gates, Bill Gates’ mother, businesswoman, civic activist, and school teacher

Bill Newcomb, former chief counsel at Microsoft

Bill Gates Sr., Bill Gates’ father, attorney, philanthropist, and civic leader

Jon Shirley, former president, chief operating officer, and director of Microsoft

Roberto D'Angelo and Francesca Fedeli, founders of FightTheStroke.org

Trish Millines Dziko, co-founder of the National Charter Collaborative and Executive Director of Technology Access Foundation

Kevin Wang, founder of Mentors in Tech and Microsoft TEALS

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Claire Bonilla, CEO of SightLife

Patrick Awuah, Ghanaian engineer, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Ashesi University

Tazin Shadid, founder of AmarLab

Kailash Satyarthi, Indian social reformer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, anti-apartheid revolutionary, philanthropist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Muhammad Yunus, Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist, civil society leader, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Tenzin Gyatso,14th Dalai Lama and Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Connect with Dr. Akhtar Badshah:

The Purpose Mindset: How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World on Amazon

Microsoft Website

Dr. Akhtar Badshah on LinkedIn

Dr. Akhtar Badshah on Instagram

Dr. Akhtar Badshah on Twitter

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