In this episode of Start With a Win, host Adam Contos is joined by leadership strategist and author Dr. Vijay Pendakur to explore what it really takes to lead through disruption. Drawing from his experience at top tech companies and Cornell University, Vijay unpacks the secret to building high-performing teams when the ground is constantly shifting beneath you. From the invisible forces of trust and belonging to the raw challenges of leading through crisis, this conversation offers a bold reframe of leadership - one that is both deeply human and urgently practical. If you've ever wondered how to turn volatility into opportunity, this episode is your blueprint.

Dr. Vijay Pendakur is the founder of Vijay Pendakur Consulting and a seasoned leader across tech and higher education, with senior roles at Zynga, VMware, Dropbox, and Salesforce. He previously served as Dean of Students and Presidential Advisor for Diversity and Equity at Cornell University. Vijay’s upcoming book, The Alchemy of Talent (Dec 2024), is a practical guide to building high-performing teams. He also authored Closing the Opportunity Gap (2016), a widely used resource on equity in student success. A faculty member at USC’s Race and Equity Center and recognized as a top DEI leader by Channel Futures and Untapped, he also advises Ezra Coaching and Enterprise Ireland. Vijay lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Katie, and their two daughters, Mira and Savi.

00:00 Leadership Is About Relationship
00:29 Welcome to Start With a Win
00:55 Introducing Dr. Vijay Pendakur
02:03 From Education to Corporate Disruption
04:02 Growth Happens Through Pain
06:28 Why “The Alchemy of Talent”?
09:33 Leading Teams Through VUCA
13:07 Trust, Belonging, Connection Framework
15:08 How to Build Trust as a Leader
27:46 Where to Find the Book + Final Thoughts

https://www.vijaypendakur.com/

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