Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

Cathy Carroll, Founder and President of Legacy Onward, Inc., shares her insights on family business leadership after transitioning from a corporate career. She highlights the essential balance between strategic vision and execution, emphasizing that leadership is about managing polarities rather than resolving them. Cathy discusses the tension between agreeableness and decisiveness, advocating for a collaborative approach to problem-solving. She also draws inspiration from nature, stressing the importance of resilience and humility in effective leadership.

Dr. Amal Ahmadi, an expert in leadership development at the American University of Bahrain, and Dr. Bernd Vogel, a strategic leadership professor from Henley Business School, share enlightening insights on the 'knowing-doing gap.' They discuss the challenges of translating theoretical knowledge into practical leadership skills. The conversation highlights the need for structured reflection, effective filtering of information, and a supportive environment to enhance leadership capabilities. They also emphasize learning from failures as a vital pathway for growth.

Dr. Max Klau is a Boston-based consultant and author, with a mission to cultivate servant leaders in politics. He discusses the vital link between personal inner transformation and effective leadership, emphasizing that self-reflection is key to serving others. Klau highlights societal shifts away from community engagement and the need for compassionate dialogue. He also advocates for embracing inner development goals to tackle societal challenges, encouraging leaders to turn their struggles into strengths for the greater good.

Send us a textCynthia Pong, JD, is an award-winning executive coach and speaker who empowers women of color leaders to advance their careers into positions of power. A Forbes Contributor and LinkedIn Top Voice for Job Search and Career, she has been featured in HBR, The Atlantic, and on NBC, CBS, NPR, and more. As Founder and CEO of Embrace Change, Cynthia leads an elite, all-BIPOC team who provide specialized coaching and training programs for high-performing women of color up to the C-suite. Equipped with Cynthia’s strategic guidance, her clients break down barriers, lead with authenticity, and have collectively negotiated over $750K in salary increases. Her Anthem Award-winning Leadership Accelerator program has propelled women of color to prestigious fellowships, promotions, and top graduate program admissions. Cynthia’s book, Don’t Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color , has cemented her as a foremost voice on career advancement, negotiation, and thought leadership.A Few Quotes From This Episode“I’ve coached over 350 women of color—those numbers taught me it’s never a skills gap but often a confidence gap.”“It’s not about a deficit in ability; it’s about being so hard on ourselves we won’t experiment or make a mistake.”“One-on-one tailored strategic support from an executive coach is the single best investment of your scarcest resource: time.”“We have to change from doing to leading—mastering tasks won’t teach you how to inspire others.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode Book: Don’t Stay in Your Lane: The Career Change Guide for Women of Color Cynthia's Forbes Contributor PageCynthia's Assessment: Cynthia's Leadership Skills Quiz Book: Never Split the Difference Website: Anton Gunn’s Leadership WorksAbout The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersBlogMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of t ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast!⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice.➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech.📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles.🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

Send us a textJenn Zella is the Co-Founding Principal and Chief Visionary Officer of CID Design Group, an intentional design firm that creates authentic interiors and inspired brands that engage, elevate, and endure. With a deep-rooted passion for collaboration, the creative process, and what she terms Conscious Design, Jenn believes in the power of design to make the world a happier, healthier, and more beautiful place.With over 25 years of experience and stemming from a long family legacy of design, architecture, development, and construction, Jenn has been a catalyst for CID’s growth and evolution, earning recognition as one of the Top 100 design firms by Interior Design Magazine for eight consecutive years. As a thought leader and creative visionary, Jenn frequently speaks nationally, sharing insights on future-forward and human-centric design, leading with heart and purpose, building a culture of trust, and coaching creativity. She has championed the intersection of design and well-being, creating spaces that support individuals in becoming their best selves. She also embodies this philosophy by integrating well-being into CID’s Blue Zone Certified workplace, including a dedicated Wellness Studio that prioritizes holistic health, mindful movement, and self-care.With a team based in 11 states and 30 cities, CID has taken a bold approach in the design industry, embracing a predominantly virtual creative workplace, redefining how we design, collaborate, and fuel culture leveraging deep tech and high trust.Jenn believes in leading and creating with love, with an open mind, and in collaboration with others. None of us are as smart as all of us.A Few Quotes From This Episode“Having fun is elemental to being our best and to enjoying the journey together.”“Engage, elevate, endure—that’s our mantra for everything we create.”“Physical presence in a seat at a desk does not equate to accountability.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode Book: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin About The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersBlogMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast!⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice.➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech.📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles.🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

Dr. Barbara Kellerman, a Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership and renowned leadership author, shares her insights on evolving leadership development. She critiques the quick-fix mentality prevalent in the leadership industry, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning and a more holistic approach. Kellerman discusses the decline of public trust in leaders and advocates for integrating follower dynamics into leadership education. The conversation also touches on the intersection of creativity and leadership, enriching the discourse with cinematic references.

Richard Barrett, President of the Barrett Academy, brings a wealth of knowledge in leadership and transformation. He dives deep into self-leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s values for guiding others. Listeners explore the evolution of consciousness and worldview clashes, calling for humanity awareness in education. Barrett highlights the impact of nurturing personal growth through supportive education systems, illustrating how intentional development can enhance societal well-being. The power of self-expression and meaningful connections also take center stage, urging listeners on their journey of self-discovery.

In a captivating discussion, Richard Bolden, a Professor of Leadership and Management, dives into the transformative world of collective leadership. He prompts a shift from traditional hierarchies to collaboration, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse perspectives. Richard unpacks the hidden dynamics of workplace interactions, discussing how casual connections enhance team efficiency. The conversation also explores community leadership, advocating for alignment among organizations to increase collective impact, and reflects on impactful learning resources that shape the future of leadership.

Send us a textDr. Rita A. Gardiner is an Associate Professor, Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies, Faculty of Education, Western University, Canada. Her publications include articles in Gender, Work and Organization, Business Ethics Quarterly, and Organization Studies. She has published extensively on the topic of authentic leadership including a monograph entitled Gender, Authenticity, and Leadership: Thinking with Arendt. As well, Rita is the lead editor of a new international collection exploring the concept of genderwashing in leadership and diverse organizations. Dr. Hayley Baker is an Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, Canada. Her scholarly interests include leadership, gender, and sport. Her research has focused on addressing the underrepresentation of women coaches at Canadian universities by exploring normalized institutional practices and processes. Additionally, she has examined the implementation of gender-based violence policies in universities and Canadian sport organizations. A Couple Quotes From This Episode“I think, put simply, genderwashing is really a myth… a myth of gender equality in organizations.“It’s about organizational rhetoric versus lived experience, and we’re looking at the tensions between them.”Resources Mentioned in This Episode Book: Genderwashing in Leadership: Power, Policies and PoliticsBook: Leadership Ethics: An IntroductionTelevision Show: The Traitors (UK)About The International Leadership Association (ILA)The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!About  Scott J. AllenWebsiteWeekly Newsletter: Practical Wisdom for LeadersBlogMy Approach to HostingThe views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal v ♻️ Please share with others and follow/subscribe to the podcast!⭐️ Please leave a review on Apple, Spotify, or your platform of choice.➡️ Follow me on LinkedIn for more on leadership, communication, and tech.📜 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter featuring four hand-picked articles.🌎 You can learn more about my work on my Website.

Trey Carlson, Chief of Staff for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and former U.S. Navy submariner, shares his journey from military operations to space leadership. He discusses the critical importance of relationships and communication in high-stakes environments. Carlson reveals how his early culinary experiences on submarines shaped his leadership style. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating leadership transitions and emphasizes open dialogue in diverse teams, showcasing how investing in relationships can elevate organizational morale and foster collaboration.