Partnering Leadership

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership.

While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking.

I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most often—each linked below to my conversation with the author.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return visit, the best conversations have a way of revealing something new when the moment calls for it. 

We’ll be back in September with more great conversations and powerful ideas.

Thanks for continuing to learn, grow, and lead in ways that make a real difference.

—Mahan

Trust & Inspire – Stephen M. R. Covey

CEO Excellence – Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller & Vik Malhotra

Simple Truths of Leadership – Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

Leading Change – John Kotter

How to Lead – David Rubenstein

Prediction Machines – Ajay Agrawal, Avi Goldfarb & Joshua Gans

The Performance Paradox – Eduardo Briceño

How Minds Change – David McRaney

Human + Machine – Paul Daugherty & H. James Wilson

10 Stories Great Leaders Tell – Paul Smith

Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet

Magic Words – Jonah Berger

"I would rather read the best 100 books over and over again until I absorb them rather than read all the books."  Naval Ravikant

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership.

While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking.

I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most often—each linked below to my conversation with the author.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return visit, the best conversations have a way of revealing something new when the moment calls for it. 

We’ll be back in September with more great conversations and powerful ideas.

Thanks for continuing to learn, grow, and lead in ways that make a real difference.

—Mahan

Trust & Inspire – Stephen M. R. Covey

CEO Excellence – Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller & Vik Malhotra

Simple Truths of Leadership – Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

Leading Change – John Kotter

How to Lead – David Rubenstein

Prediction Machines – Ajay Agrawal, Avi Goldfarb & Joshua Gans

The Performance Paradox – Eduardo Briceño

How Minds Change – David McRaney

Human + Machine – Paul Daugherty & H. James Wilson

10 Stories Great Leaders Tell – Paul Smith

Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet

Magic Words – Jonah Berger

"I would rather read the best 100 books over and over again until I absorb them rather than read all the books."  Naval Ravikant

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

Welcome to the Best Of series on Partnering Leadership.

While many of us take a bit of a breather in July and August, we’re revisiting standout episodes—conversations that are worth hearing again, especially as leadership challenges shift and new moments call for fresh thinking.

I’ve also pulled together 12 of the leadership books I recommend most often—each linked below to my conversation with the author.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return visit, the best conversations have a way of revealing something new when the moment calls for it. 

We’ll be back in September with more great conversations and powerful ideas.

Thanks for continuing to learn, grow, and lead in ways that make a real difference.

—Mahan

Trust & Inspire – Stephen M. R. Covey

CEO Excellence – Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller & Vik Malhotra

Simple Truths of Leadership – Ken Blanchard & Randy Conley

Leading Change – John Kotter

How to Lead – David Rubenstein

Prediction Machines – Ajay Agrawal, Avi Goldfarb & Joshua Gans

The Performance Paradox – Eduardo Briceño

How Minds Change – David McRaney

Human + Machine – Paul Daugherty & H. James Wilson

10 Stories Great Leaders Tell – Paul Smith

Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet

Magic Words – Jonah Berger

"I would rather read the best 100 books over and over again until I absorb them rather than read all the books."  Naval Ravikant

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by David Espindola, a futurist and strategic advisor with deep expertise in technology, AI, and leadership. As the author of The Exponential Era and Soulful, Espindola brings a unique lens to the conversation—one that blends exponential technology insight with a deep understanding of human-centered leadership. His background, which spans Silicon Valley startups and CIO roles, grounds his perspective in both vision and practicality.

Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is no longer just a functional tool—it’s a force that’s reshaping how organizations operate and how leaders must lead. Espindola challenges the outdated mental models that many executives still rely on and explains why thinking exponentially—not linearly—is now a leadership imperative. The speed of change, he argues, requires not just faster decision-making, but a fundamental rewiring of strategic planning itself.

Beyond urgency, the conversation offers a thoughtful framework for action. Espindola urges leaders to see AI not as a threat, but as a collaborator—a sparring partner that, when used well, can expand creativity, sharpen insight, and unlock new value. At the same time, he issues a warning about over-delegating thought and judgment to machines. The leaders who thrive, he says, will be those who bring a uniquely human edge to this new era.

The episode also dives into the qualities that will define great leadership in an AI-powered world—empathy, intrinsic motivation, and adaptability. Espindola makes the case for “soulful strategy”—an approach rooted not just in efficiency but in meaning and trust. For CEOs, board members, and senior leaders rethinking their relevance and impact in a fast-moving world, this episode delivers timely insights and a powerful call to lead differently.

Actionable Takeaways

• You’ll learn why most strategic plans are outdated before they’re even executed—and what kind of strategic thinking leaders need instead
  
  
  
• Hear how to shift from using AI as an assistant to engaging it as a thought partner that challenges and elevates your ideas
  
  
  
• Discover why exponential change breaks traditional leadership models—and how to respond without falling behind
  
  
  
• Hear why the ability to ask good questions is becoming more valuable than having the right answers
  
  
  
• Learn how AI is disrupting entry-level pathways—and what that means for how leaders must develop talent
  
  
  
• Explore why AI can mimic empathy, but trust and meaning still require human leadership
  
  
  
• Hear how leaders can design organizations that adapt, experiment, and continuously learn
  
  
  
• Learn how ungoverned AI usage across your organization may already be exposing you to risk
  
  
  
• Discover why AI must move from a tech issue to a board-level strategy conversation
  
  
  
• Hear why talking to your frontline may be the most important move for understanding how AI is already shaping your business
  
  

Connect with David Espindola

David Espindola Website 

David Espindola 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 Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential. His unique vantage point, shaped by science, space exploration, and C-suite leadership, gives him an extraordinary lens on what really limits potential—not just for individuals, but for teams and entire organizations.

This is not a conversation about space missions. It's a candid exploration of the hidden forces that hold even the most accomplished leaders back. Dr. Harris shares how fear, false identity, and overachievement can become barriers disguised as success—and how leaders can finally begin to let go. With disarming honesty, he recounts how constant validation once drove his every move, and how shedding that need was key to unlocking deeper effectiveness and personal alignment.

What makes this episode essential for executive listeners is not just the personal story—it’s the direct application to business and leadership contexts. Dr. Harris talks about leading teams under pressure, confronting blind spots in senior leadership, and what it really takes to receive feedback at the top. His reflections offer a masterclass in self-awareness and intentional leadership, especially for those navigating high-stakes roles where perception often replaces truth.

Whether you're leading a company, serving on a board, or mentoring the next generation of executives, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define success, strength, and growth. The conversation isn't about doing more—it’s about uncovering what’s driving your decisions, and whether it’s truly aligned with your values and long-term vision.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You’ll learn how Dr. Harris overcame fear—not through toughness, but by reframing what failure really means for leaders.
  
  
  
• Hear how overachievement can be a trap, even when it’s applauded—especially for those in senior roles.
  
  
  
• Discover why most CEOs stop getting meaningful feedback—and what to do to get the truth back on the table.
  
  
  
• Explore the performance identity leaders develop—and how it can silently limit their ability to lead authentically.
  
  
  
• Find out what happened when Dr. Harris was told by his team: “You’re a micromanager”—and what he did next.
  
  
  
• Learn why self-awareness is a strategic advantage, not just a personal virtue.
  
  
  
• Hear Dr. Harris describe how he applies the same mindset that got him into space to running businesses and investing.
  
  
  
• Explore how internal versus external drivers shape leadership clarity—and how to regain control of your narrative.
  
  
  
• Understand how success, when unchecked, can become an armor that distances leaders from their teams.

Connect with Dr. Bernard Harris

Bernard Harris LinkedIn 

Embracing Infinite Possiblities 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and in this conversation, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how AI is fundamentally changing the role of leaders and the structure of modern organizations. From board-level decision-making to frontline productivity, he doesn’t just speculate—he shares what he’s doing inside his own company to lead through the change.

Greg originally joined Section to turn it from a media startup into a next-gen education company. But when he first used ChatGPT, he knew instantly that business education itself needed to evolve. That insight led to a bold pivot: transforming Section from an online business school into an AI-powered academy focused on accelerating performance and capability at scale. It’s a rare look at what it really takes to lead a high-velocity pivot—one grounded not in hype, but in strategy, execution, and conviction.

Throughout the conversation, Greg challenges conventional thinking on AI adoption, leadership credibility, and the future of knowledge work. He breaks down why many leaders are stuck in experimentation mode—and what it takes to move into actual transformation. CEOs and boards will find his views on performance, upskilling, and AI decision support to be especially compelling and uncomfortably timely.

If you're tired of surface-level conversations about AI and want to understand what the shift actually looks like inside a company, this episode delivers. Whether you're leading a small team or a global enterprise, Greg's insights on using AI as a leadership advantage—not just a tech upgrade—will spark new thinking and bold action.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn why Greg believes the greatest leadership returns come not from better execution—but from catching the right wave at the right time.
  
  
  
• Hear how AI is already matching 90% of the value delivered by human board members—and what that means for your next board meeting.
  
  
  
• Discover why most corporate training is already obsolete, and how AI can turn learning into personalized, outcome-driven coaching.
  
  
  
• Hear how Shopify’s CEO linked headcount approvals to AI productivity—and how that kind of thinking will soon become the norm.
  
  
  
• You'll gain perspective on how to model AI adoption as a leader, and why failing to do so erodes credibility at every level of the organization.
  
  
  
• Learn Greg’s approach to building AI habits inside leadership teams—and why small, visible systems often matter more than a “transformation plan.”
  
  
  
• Find out what question every CEO should be asking before making a major decision—and why it might be time to invite AI into the room.
  
  
  
• Hear why Greg believes business model innovation—not technology—will be the real competitive battleground in the age of AI.
  
  
  
• Understand the deeper threat AI poses to entry-level jobs and talent pipelines—and why CEOs need to rethink how organizations grow their future leaders.
  
  
  
• You’ll hear the provocative question Greg uses to challenge his own team—and how it might reshape your own strategy discussions.
  
  
  

Connect with Greg Shove:

Greg Shove Website 

Greg Shove LinkedIn 

Section 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this insightful episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Simon T. Bailey, a renowned speaker, leadership expert, and author of Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself Into a Thriving Future. Simon is best known for his work on personal and professional brilliance, with a focus on resilience—key themes that he passionately explores in his latest book. Throughout the discussion, Simon shares profound lessons from his experiences, including his time at Disney Institute, where he honed his leadership philosophy. He dives into the essence of what it means to be a leader who inspires others to discover their own potential while maintaining humility and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.

Simon emphasizes the importance of leaders modeling the behaviors they wish to see in their teams, drawing from his Disney experience where leaders were expected to "pick up the trash" as a metaphor for taking responsibility beyond their titles. He also discusses the critical role of coaching in leadership, explaining why many managers fail to do it effectively and offering practical advice on how to make coaching a regular and impactful part of leadership practice. Simon’s approach to leadership is refreshingly candid, focusing on the need for intellectual humility and the ability to connect deeply with team members.

Listeners will also gain valuable insights into the evolving nature of work, particularly in the context of hybrid environments and the rise of AI. Simon highlights the challenges and opportunities these changes present for leaders, urging them to foster a culture of learning and adaptability. His emphasis on resilience and brilliance as twin pillars of success in today’s fast-paced world offers a powerful framework for executives aiming to lead their organizations through uncertainty and change.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Discover Simon’s key leadership principles drawn from his Disney Institute experience that emphasize the importance of modeling the right behaviors in any leadership role.
• Learn why intellectual humility is crucial for leaders who want to truly engage and empower their teams, and how this mindset can transform organizational culture.
• Hear how coaching can be a game-changer for managers, and why a regular cadence of one-on-one meetings is essential for building trust and ensuring alignment.
• Understand the concept of “catch and release in leadership—how training your team members to outgrow their roles can actually strengthen your organization.
• Explore the twin pillars of resilience and brilliance and why combining problem-solving with creativity is essential for unlocking your team’s potential.
• Gain insights into managing hybrid teams effectively, including strategies for maintaining connection and engagement in a remote or partially remote environment.
• Learn how to balance the demand for results with the need for resilience and flexibility, ensuring your team stays motivated and focused on long-term success.
• Discover the importance of continuous learning, and how scheduling your personal development like a vacation can lead to sustained growth in both your career and leadership capabilities.

Connect with Simon T Bailey

Simon T Bailey Website      

Simon T Bailey LinkedIn   

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

What if your employees appear engaged, but aren’t truly committed? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dave Garrison, an experienced CEO, board member, and author of The Buy-In Advantage: Why Employees Stop Caring and How Great Leaders Inspire Commitment. Drawing on his work with companies like Ameritrade and his experience advising leaders across sectors, Dave explains why engagement metrics are often misleading—and how leaders can create the conditions for real buy-in.

The conversation begins by examining the gap between how leaders think about motivation and how people actually commit to meaningful work. Dave offers a compelling distinction between surface-level engagement and genuine buy-in, the kind that drives ownership, initiative, and sustained performance. He challenges the assumptions behind many well-intended leadership practices and makes the case for a more human, purpose-driven approach.

Together, Mahan and Dave explore how leadership habits—especially those rooted in control or speed—can unintentionally suppress the very commitment leaders are trying to cultivate. Dave shares practical ways to shift the dynamic: asking catalytic questions, reframing roles, and creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and responsible for the outcomes they help shape.

This is not a conversation about perks or communication plans. It’s about understanding the deeper dynamics of commitment in today’s evolving workplace—and how great leaders create clarity, connection, and accountability. Whether you’re leading a boardroom, a leadership team, or a transformation effort, this episode will reframe how you think about performance, trust, and the leadership behaviors that unlock both.

Actionable Takeaways

• You’ll learn why engagement scores can mislead leaders—and what they fail to measure about actual commitment.
  
  
  
• Hear how high-performing leaders create emotional buy-in that drives discretionary effort, not just attendance.
  
  
  
• Discover why most organizations leave their team’s passion and ownership “in the parking lot,” and how to bring it into Monday morning meetings.
  
  
  
• Learn what questions to ask that help people feel valued, challenge assumptions, and inspire initiative.
  
  
  
• Hear how the most effective leaders reframe their role from directive to catalytic—without sacrificing speed or results.
  
  
  
• Understand why buy-in starts before the hire and how purpose and values can shape more successful recruiting.
  
  
  
• Explore how to lead through uncertainty as a Chief Reassurance Officer, and why clarity and repetition matter more than inspiration.
  
  
  
• Learn how to avoid the common leadership trap of solving problems too quickly—and what to do instead to spark commitment.
  
  
  

Connect with Dave Garrison

Dave Garrisson Website 

The Buy-In Advantage Book 

Dave Garrison LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

What happens when even the most powerful leaders pull every lever they’ve been taught to use—bonuses, metrics, training—and nothing changes? That’s the question that set Mike Mears, former CIA Chief of Human Capital, on a mission to rethink leadership from the inside out. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mike joins Mahan Tavakoli to share deeply practical insights on why traditional leadership systems fall short—and what truly drives performance and innovation.

As the founder of the CIA’s Leadership Academy, Mike brings a unique combination of experience in intelligence, government, and corporate leadership. His ideas are grounded in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and decades of operational leadership. Rather than focusing on leadership theory, he focuses on how leaders can create psychological certainty for their people—even amid external volatility.

Throughout the conversation, Mike challenges long-held assumptions, including the overreliance on performance systems and leadership training that don’t account for human nature. He reveals why emotional clarity and trust are more valuable than process, and how small, consistent actions from leaders—like weekly check-ins and genuine recognition—can transform team dynamics and unlock discretionary effort.

This conversation is a must-listen for CEOs, board members, and senior leaders who want to move beyond abstract leadership models and build real engagement, alignment, and trust. With memorable stories and tested frameworks, Mike Mears offers a practical guide to leadership that resonates at every level of an organization.

Actionable Takeaways

• Hear how a senior CIA leader’s frustration with ineffective levers led to a deep reevaluation of leadership systems
  
  
  
• Learn why many leadership tools—still rooted in industrial-era thinking—don’t reflect how the brain actually works
  
  
  
• Discover how emotional uncertainty impacts employee performance and what leaders can do to restore clarity and direction
  
  
  
• Understand the behavioral progression that effective leaders follow: safety, trust, clarity, and only then challenge
  
  
  
• Learn why short, consistent check-ins often outperform more complex performance systems
  
  
  
• Hear Mike’s candid reflection on the value of feedback—and why he wishes he had given far more of it as a leader
  
  
  
• Explore how “soft accountability” can help embed new leadership habits without adding bureaucracy
  
  
  
• Understand the long-term damage of poor leadership selection—and why choosing the right managers matters more than developing the wrong ones
  
  
  
• Learn why culture is local, and why the team leader—not the organization—defines most of the employee experience
  
  
  
• Discover how to align leadership actions with human nature to build teams that perform better under pressure and change
  
  
  

Connect with Mike Mears
Mike Mears LinkedIn 

Mike Mears Website 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website

In this timely and compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander and bestselling author of The Attributes. This conversation focuses on Rich’s latest book, Mastering Uncertainty, and delivers insights highly relevant to leaders navigating today’s volatile, complex environment.

With more than 20 years of experience in the SEAL teams—including leading training within SEAL Team Six—Rich draws from intense operational settings to explain how high performers build the ability to stay composed, decisive, and effective when the plan breaks down. But this isn’t just about special forces. It’s a conversation about how CEOs and senior leaders can rewire how they think about pressure, performance, and leadership itself.

Rich introduces powerful concepts, including the brain’s need for Duration, Pathway, and Outcome (DPO) to maintain composure in chaos. He breaks down how stress affects decision-making, why “calm is contagious,” and how great teams shift leadership dynamically to the person best positioned to lead in the moment. These lessons are deeply human and directly applicable to organizational leadership.

This episode goes beyond resilience into practical training for leaders who want to move through uncertainty with clarity and help their teams do the same. Whether you're leading a fast-scaling business, a mission-driven nonprofit, or a complex enterprise under stress, this conversation offers actionable perspective and tools for performing when nothing goes as planned.

Actionable Takeaways

• Hear how Rich Diviney defines mastery of uncertainty—and why it starts with managing your own physiological stress response.
  
  
  
• Learn how elite performers prepare for unpredictable environments and why your team can develop that same capability.
  
  
  
• Discover why the brain’s search for Duration, Pathway, and Outcome is the key to clarity in moments of stress.
  
  
  
• Explore the concept of dynamic subordination and how the best teams allow leadership to shift based on proximity to the problem.
  
  
  
• Understand the limits of traditional planning—and why too much planning can become a form of leadership paralysis.
  
  
  
• Gain perspective on why attempts to control more tightly often erode trust, especially in high-stakes or ambiguous situations.
  
  
  
• Examine how the identities leaders carry—consciously or not—shape how they respond under pressure.
  
  
  
• Learn why building trust requires more than competence and consistency—and how character and compassion complete the equation.
  
  
  
• Find out how focusing your team on smaller, achievable horizons (instead of long-range uncertainty) improves decision-making and morale.
  
  
  
• Get practical strategies for applying these tools immediately—both in your own leadership and across your team.
  
  
  

Connect with Rich Diviney

The Attributes Website 

Rich Diviney LinkedIn 

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website 

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn 

Partnering Leadership Website