Partnering Leadership

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 DEIConnect 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 GrowthPartnering Leadership conversation with Bob Johansen on his book Full-Spectrum Thinking: How to Escape Boxes in a Post-Categorical FutureConnect 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 perspectivesAlso 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 PennsylvaniaBooks 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 BohnsConnect with Vanessa Bohns:Vanessa Bohns Official WebsiteVanessa Bohns on LinkedInVanessa Bohns on Twitter: @profbohnsVanessa Bohns on Instagram: @profbohnsConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.comConnect 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 HotelsStephanie Linnartz on LinkedInConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/ More information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.comConnect 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 mindConnect with David McRaneyDavid McRaney Website David McRaney's You Are Not So Smart podcastDavid McRaney on LinkedInDavid McRaney on TwitterHow Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion on Amazon Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:Mahan Tavakoli WebsiteMahan 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 AmazonHakeem Oluseyi on FacebookHakeem Oluseyi on InstagramHakeem Oluseyi on TwitterHakeem 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 InspireTrust and Inspire on AmazonSpeed of Trust The Speed of Trust on AmazonStephen M.R. Covey on FacebookStephen M.R. Covey on TwitterStephen 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 CommissionMentioned:In the Arena: A Memoir of Love, War, and Politics on AmazonSenator 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 MillsAlden Mills Website Alden Mills on LinkedIn Unstoppable Teams on Amazon Be Unstoppable on AmazonConnect 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, Mahan Tavakoli speaks about the leadership lessons we can learn from the woman-led movement for freedom in Iran: Woman Life Freedom, Zan Zendegi, Azadi. Mahan shares why we need to think about power differently in society or organizations. The reasons for a shift away from the old power models based on hierarchies to new power models based on aligned movements. Mahan uses this example to show the need for a change of thinking in organizations with a greater need to align around purpose. Finally, Mahan shares the origins of the Stockdale Paradox and how that relates to the survival and success of all movements and change initiatives.  Mentioned:Baraye by Shervin Hajipour (full version on YouTube with English subtitles) Partnering Leadership conversation with Greg Satell, author of Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational ChangePartnering Leadership conversation with Chip Walker, coauthor of Activate Brand Purpose: How to Harness the Power of Movements to Transform Your CompanyPartnering Leadership conversation with Gia Nardini, coauthor of Together We Rise: How Social Movements SucceedConnect 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