Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Greg Bennick, keynote speaker, humanitarian, and author of Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now. Greg shares how his upbringing in a small Connecticut town with nontraditional parents helped shape his views on purpose, disruption, and transformation. Through vivid personal stories—including a near-death experience involving a truck crashing into a bookstore—Greg explores the chaos of modern life, the influence of technology, and the power of reclaiming presence and humanity.Together, Mahan and Greg dive deep into themes of self-awareness, leadership, kindness, and the role of meaningful relationships in navigating an increasingly noisy and fast-paced world. With humor and humility, Greg invites listeners to rethink success, stay grounded, and embrace possibility—both in life and leadership.Highlights from the ConversationWhy noise and chaos dominate our lives—and who benefits from itHow modern technology hijacks our attention and focusReclaiming the now in a world driven by spectacle and distractionThe near-death bookstore experience that led Greg to rediscover purposeBelieving in the possibility of kindness to escape the trap of pessimismWhy leaders must stop assuming the worst and start cultivating trustThe importance of emotional buy-in and meaningful work connectionsReverberation vs. ripple effect in leadership and idea-sharingCritique of traditional self-help and Greg’s human-first philosophyDaily practices that help Greg stay authentic and focusedThe role of relationships in countering isolation and building purposeAsking whether we are using technology—or being used by itConnect with Greg Bennick:Greg Bennick on LinkedInGreg Bennick's Official Website"Reclaim the Moment: Seven Strategies to Build a Better Now"Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Mark Schaefer, a renowned bestselling author of popular marketing books. The conversation focuses on Mark Schaefer's latest book, Belonging to the Brand: Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy.During the discussion, Mark Schaefer shares valuable insights on personal branding, courageous leadership, and the power of humility. Emphasizing the significance of community in marketing, he explores how organizations can successfully build and nurture thriving communities. Mark also discusses the shift from traditional advertising to social media and how creating a sense of community among audiences leads to stronger emotional connections.The conversation includes compelling examples of companies effectively engaging their customers through community-building initiatives. Mahan and Mark explore the psychological bonds within a community and how these connections translate to heightened brand loyalty. Discover the leadership insights of the legendary Peter Drucker and how his ability to distill complexity can transform your approach to management.Uncover the power of community in marketing and how it can drive revenue, heal, and create a sense of purpose.Learn from real-life examples of big and small companies that have successfully built communities and generated massive success.Explore the challenges of leading a community while maintaining alignment and discover the breakthrough ideas and innovation that can arise from a thriving community.Understand how the pandemic has highlighted the importance of community in marketing and how it can serve as a powerful healing force in society.Gain insights into the importance of purpose in building a community and how involving customers or fans can create a better world together.Learn how to build a personal brand in the digital age, leveraging the power of the internet to attract a supportive audience.Understand the importance of community and purpose in building thriving communities and how they can engage loyal customers and build on each other.Gain insights into building a community and personal brand, focusing on trust and collaboration.Explore the power of creating meaningful moments and connections within a community and how it can lead to stronger emotional relationships with your audience.Uncover the overlooked value of community in brand marketing and the power of user-generated content and brand advocacy.Connect with Mark SchaeferMark Schaefer Website Mark Schaefer on LinkedIn Belonging to the Brand: Why Community Is the Last Great Marketing Strategy on Amazon Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Rajeev Kapur, a seasoned technology executive, AI innovator, and author of AI Made Simple. With decades of leadership experience, including his time as CEO of a leading B2B marketing and media technology company, Rajeev shares invaluable insights on how generative AI is reshaping business, leadership, and decision-making.Leaders today are navigating the rapid rise of AI, facing both unprecedented opportunities and daunting challenges. Rajeev brings clarity to the conversation, offering practical perspectives on how executives can embrace AI without falling behind. From understanding the distinction between machine learning and generative AI to adopting a mindset of experimentation, his guidance is tailored for CEOs and senior leaders determined to future-proof their organizations.Through this engaging conversation, listeners will gain actionable insights on how AI can drive business growth, enhance strategic decision-making, and optimize operations. Rajeev also addresses common fears around AI adoption and reveals how leaders can use it to multiply their impact, rather than merely cutting costs.Whether you’re a technology-savvy executive or someone just beginning to explore AI's potential, this episode offers a compelling roadmap for leading in the age of AI. Tune in to learn how to shift from apprehension to action and gain the confidence to make AI a leadership advantage.Actionable TakeawaysAI Leadership Mindset: Learn why Rajeev believes AI isn’t just a tool but a leadership test, and how executives can shift their perspective to thrive in an AI-driven world.Data as a Competitive Advantage: Hear why controlling and leveraging your organization’s data is critical to unlocking AI’s true potential.Efficiency vs. Innovation: Discover how AI can free up leadership time by automating mundane tasks, allowing greater focus on strategy and innovation.Decision-Making Reinvented: Gain insights into how AI can transform decision-making by providing predictive insights and surfacing patterns that humans may miss.Common Pitfalls: Understand the biggest mistakes companies make when implementing AI and how to avoid them.Future-Proofing Your Organization: Learn why waiting for AI to “mature” could be a costly mistake and how early adopters are gaining significant advantages.Real-World Examples: Rajeev shares how leading organizations are applying AI to solve complex business challenges and uncover new opportunities.AI and Talent: Explore how leaders can empower their teams to work alongside AI, creating a more productive and engaged workforce.The First Step: Hear Rajeev’s advice on how executives can get started with AI, even without a technical background.Long-Term AI Strategy: Learn how to think beyond short-term automation and consider AI’s role in long-term value creation.Connect with Rajeev KapurRajeev Kapur Website Rajeev Kapur LinkedIn AI Made Simple : A Beginner’s Guide to Generative Intelligence Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Barbara Kellerman, a renowned expert in leadership, Harvard Kennedy School Professor, and a prolific author. Kellerman's latest book, Leadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers, serves as the focal point of this discussion. With decades of research and a unique perspective on the dynamics of leadership, Kellerman challenges conventional wisdom and sheds light on often-overlooked aspects of leadership and followership.From the outset, Kellerman captivates with her critical examination of why the leadership industry tends to ignore the darker sides of leadership. She goes into the complex interplay between leaders and followers, emphasizing that bad leadership is seldom the result of one individual's actions alone. Her insights into the roles of enablers and the broader context within which leaders operate offer a fresh and necessary perspective for today's CEOs and senior executives.Kellerman's engaging anecdotes and examples, ranging from corporate boardrooms to political arenas, illustrate the intricate dance between power, authority, and influence. She highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics to navigate the increasingly complex leadership landscape effectively. The conversation also explores the diminishing power and authority of leaders in modern organizations, replaced by the need to master influence. Kellerman offers actionable insights on how leaders can cultivate this skill by deeply understanding their followers and the contexts in which they operate. This episode is not just a discussion; it is a masterclass in rethinking leadership in the 21st century. Actionable Takeaways:You'll learn why the leadership industry often avoids discussing bad leadership and the implications of this oversight.Hear how understanding the role of followers is crucial in holding leaders accountable and driving positive change.Discover the importance of examining the entire leadership system, including enablers and context, to truly understand leadership failures.Understand why leadership cannot be reduced to a few simple lessons and the importance of lifelong learning in leadership development.Explore the diminishing authority of leaders and the rising importance of influence in effective leadership today.Gain insights into the challenges of leading in a world where power dynamics have drastically shifted due to cultural and technological changes.Find out how leaders can balance accessibility and authority to maintain effective leadership.Learn about the critical role of followership in both enabling and challenging bad leadership.Discover strategies for creating an organizational culture that supports transparency and accountability in leadership.Hear examples of how successful leaders navigate the complexities of modern leadership environments.Connect with Barbara KellermanLeadership from Bad to Worse: What Happens When Bad Festers Barbara Kellerman Website Barbara Kellerman LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

What can today’s executives and business leaders learn from a ruler who lived 2,500 years ago? As it turns out, quite a lot. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Darius Lahoutifard, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership expert, and the author of Leadership by Cyrus the Great: Unlocking Xenophon’s Cyropaedia. Drawing on the remarkable leadership legacy of Cyrus the Great, one of history’s most effective and visionary leaders, Darius reveals how Cyrus’s principles of governance, strategy, and influence remain strikingly relevant in today’s fast-changing business environment.In this insightful conversation, Darius shares how Cyrus built and sustained one of the most diverse and resilient empires in history—not through brute force, but through strategic leadership, trust-building, and cultural intelligence. Unlike many rulers of his time, Cyrus understood that power was not about control but about creating unity through shared purpose. His ability to win wars without fighting, empower his people while maintaining oversight, and earn loyalty rather than demand it makes him a leadership model worth studying today.Mahan and Darius also discuss how leaders today struggle with many of the same challenges Cyrus faced—gaining trust, balancing autonomy with accountability, and inspiring people to commit to a vision bigger than themselves. Through historical insights and modern applications, this episode explores how executives can apply Cyrus’s timeless leadership strategies to navigate uncertainty, foster high-performing cultures, and lead with clarity and purpose.Whether you’re a CEO, an entrepreneur, or a leader guiding a team through transformation, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership. Listen in to discover how an ancient leader’s wisdom can help you make smarter strategic decisions, inspire your people, and build an organization that thrives beyond your tenure.Actionable Takeaways:🔹 What made Cyrus the Great one of history’s most effective leaders—and why his leadership principles are still relevant today.🔹 The hidden leadership advantage of winning without war—how Cyrus secured victories through intelligence and strategy rather than brute force.🔹 How to build unwavering trust as a leader—Cyrus’s secret to getting people to follow him willingly, and how modern leaders can apply it to earn loyalty and drive engagement.🔹 The power of leading by example—why Cyrus’s discipline and personal ethics were key to his influence, and what leaders today can learn about credibility and consistency.🔹 The balance between trust and oversight—Cyrus knew that empowering people didn’t mean letting go of accountability. Hear how he managed both—and how you can too.🔹 Why repetition is a leadership necessity, not a weakness—Cyrus constantly reinforced his vision and values. Learn why leaders must repeat key messages far more than they think.Connect with Darius LahoutifardDarius Lahoutifard Website Darius Lahoutifard Linkedin Leadership by Cyrus the Great: Unlocking Xenophon’s Cyropaedia  Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In today’s fast-changing world, leaders are expected to navigate complexity, make high-stakes decisions, and provide clarity—even when certainty is impossible. But how can leaders embrace ambiguity without losing their strategic edge? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Jennifer Garvey Berger, a world-renowned leadership expert and the author of Changing on the Job: How Leaders Become Courageous, Wise, and Steady in an Anxious World.Jennifer has spent decades studying leadership development, complexity theory, and the psychological barriers that hold leaders back. She challenges conventional leadership wisdom, arguing that the strategies that once worked—providing clear-cut answers, setting rigid goals, and optimizing efficiency—are now outdated. Instead, she offers a compelling vision for leaders who want to increase their adaptability, enhance their decision-making, and transform uncertainty into opportunity.In this conversation, Jennifer and Mahan explore why leaders feel overwhelmed by complexity, how our brains instinctively react to uncertainty, and what it takes to break free from reactive leadership patterns. She introduces the three stages of leadership mindset evolution and explains why some leaders stay stuck in old ways of thinking while others thrive. Jennifer also discusses the pitfalls of chasing externally defined success and offers powerful questions leaders should be asking themselves to ensure they are driving meaningful impact.If you’ve ever felt the pressure to have all the answers, struggled to balance clarity with ambiguity, or wondered how to lead when the future feels unpredictable, this episode is packed with insights designed to shift your perspective. Jennifer Garvey Berger’s expertise provides a practical and thought-provoking roadmap for leaders looking to navigate complexity with confidence.Actionable Takeaways:Why "business as usual" leadership fails in today’s world – Hear how traditional leadership habits are making it harder for executives to succeed in complexity.The biggest mistake leaders make when facing uncertainty – Learn what top leaders do differently to remain agile and adaptive.How your brain is working against you in complexity – Discover how your nervous system reacts to uncertainty and how to retrain your thinking for better decision-making.Are you chasing success—or someone else’s version of it? – Jennifer shares a powerful framework for reassessing your goals and ensuring they align with what truly matters.The three leadership mindsets—and why most leaders never evolve past the second stage – Understand what keeps some leaders stuck and how to unlock the mindset shift needed to lead in complexity.Why AI won’t replace leadership—but will change what great leaders must do – Explore how the rise of AI is reshaping leadership and what skills will become essential.The feedback paradox—why leaders avoid it and why they must embrace it – Hear why feedback is the most underutilized tool for leadership growth and how to create a feedback-rich culture.The balancing act: providing clarity without false certainty – Learn how to communicate a strong vision while staying open to change.A simple shift to improve your leadership today – Try this one practical exercise to increase your strategic thinking and avoid reactive decision-making.Connect with Jennifer Garvey BergerJennifer Garvey Berger WebConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli hosts Andrea Sampson, an expert in strategic storytelling and the co-founder of Talk Boutique. Andrea Sampson talks about the fascinating intersection of brain science and storytelling, emphasizing why humans are hardwired to respond to stories. As an experienced speaker's coach for TEDx Toronto and a thought leader in her own right, Andrea shares her journey from the advertising world to helping change-makers communicate their ideas effectively. Andrea highlights the critical role storytelling plays in leadership and organizational success. She explains how stories, unlike mere data, engage multiple parts of the brain, making messages more memorable and impactful. Leaders are often trained to prioritize facts and figures, but Andrea argues that integrating storytelling into their communication strategies can significantly enhance their influence and connection with their audience. Throughout the conversation, Andrea underscores the importance of starting with a clear strategic message before crafting the narrative. She shares practical insights on how leaders can identify and refine their core messages, ensuring that their stories are not only engaging but also aligned with their organizational goals. By drawing on examples from iconic brands like Apple and Disney, Andrea illustrates how a singular focus can drive brand consistency and loyalty. Moreover, Andrea addresses the challenge of vulnerability in leadership. She advocates for sharing stories from a place of scars rather than wounds, enabling leaders to convey authenticity and empathy without retraumatizing themselves or their audience.  Actionable Takeaways: Discover the Brain Science Behind Storytelling: Understand why humans are neurologically hardwired to respond to stories and how this can be leveraged in leadership.Engage Multiple Parts of the Brain: Learn how integrating sensory details into your narratives can make your messages more memorable.Start with a Strategic Message: Hear why it's crucial to begin with a clear idea before crafting your story to ensure alignment with your goals.Embrace Vulnerability: Find out how sharing stories from a place of scars rather than wounds can enhance authenticity and connection.Consistency is Key: Learn from iconic brands like Apple and Disney on the importance of maintaining a singular focus in your storytelling.The Role of Community in Thought Leadership: Understand the importance of building a supportive community to amplify your personal brand and core message.Overcome Storytelling Fears: Hear how leaders can overcome the fear of storytelling by refining their skills and embracing their unique experiences.Practical Storytelling Techniques: Discover actionable tips on how to use storytelling to deliver difficult messages and inspire your team.Connect with the Andrea Sampson:Talk Boutique Website Andrea Sampson LinkedIn 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 Anders Indset, a renowned business philosopher, leadership thinker, and author of The Viking Code. As organizations navigate the rapid rise of AI, economic volatility, and shifting workforce dynamics, Indset challenges leaders to rethink how they lead, make decisions, and create value in a world that increasingly rewards speed over wisdom.Drawing on insights from The Viking Code and his broader work on leadership and philosophy, Indset explores why many leaders today are trapped in reaction mode—constantly responding to crises instead of shaping the future. He argues that leadership must evolve beyond traditional models of efficiency and optimization, as AI will always outperform humans in those areas. Instead, he makes a compelling case for leaders to cultivate deep thinking, creativity, and the ability to balance trust with friction—elements that AI cannot replicate.Indset also introduces the idea of a “Declaration of Interdependence,” where leadership is no longer about individual success but the ability to foster collaboration, challenge assumptions, and navigate uncertainty. He breaks down how leaders can create high-performance cultures that embrace both collective intelligence and individual growth, ensuring that organizations don’t just keep up but stay ahead in an era of transformation.Throughout the conversation, Indset and Tavakoli dive into how CEOs and senior executives can develop the mental models, frameworks, and mindset shifts needed to lead effectively in the years ahead. Actionable Takeaways:🔹 The Leadership Crisis: Why Most Executives Are Stuck in Reaction Mode – Hear why instant decision-making is overvalued, and why deep thinking and reflection are the new competitive edge.🔹 The Optimization Trap – Discover why chasing efficiency is a losing game for human leaders—and where real leadership value lies in an AI-driven world.🔹 Beyond Individualism: The Declaration of Interdependence – Learn why collaboration, trust, and friction are the key leadership forces shaping high-performing teams.🔹 The Future Won’t Wait—How Leaders Must Anticipate, Not React – Find out why leaders who think in scenarios and prepare for multiple futures will outlast those who rely on past strategies.🔹 Teaching People How to Think, Not What to Think – Explore how education and corporate training have failed to create adaptable leaders, and what needs to change.🔹 Trust + Friction = Innovation – Hear why leaders must create environments where disagreement is encouraged, rather than feared.🔹 How to Become an Uncatchable – Learn how elite leaders and organizations stay ahead by constantly learning, evolving, and thinking beyond their industry norms.🔹 Why Leaders Must Prioritize Meaning Over Metrics – Understand why purpose, culture, and human insight matter more than data-driven decision-making alone.Connect with Anders IndsetAnders Indset Website Anders Indset LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

What separates truly exceptional leaders from the rest? According to Kurt Strovink, it’s not just strategy, execution, or decision-making—it’s the ability to lead from within. As a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and a global advisor to CEOs, Kurt has spent decades studying the patterns of the most successful executives. In his latest book, The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out, he reveals what the best leaders do differently and why self-awareness is at the core of transformative leadership.In this insightful conversation, Kurt unpacks the critical contradictions every CEO must navigate—balancing short-term and long-term priorities, managing gut instincts with data-driven analysis, and fostering trust while making tough calls. He also explores the human-centric aspects of leadership, showing why the most effective CEOs focus not just on financial performance but on culture, dissent, and psychological safety to drive long-term success.Mahan Tavakoli and Kurt also discuss practical frameworks for leadership development, including how CEOs can create cultures that encourage truth-telling, manage their energy instead of just their time, and make bold decisions that define their legacies. Drawing on insights from 500+ CEO forums and top leaders worldwide, Kurt shares the strategies that help executives avoid common pitfalls and unlock their full leadership potential.Actionable Takeaways from This EpisodeYou'll learn why leading others starts with leading yourself—and how the best CEOs develop self-awareness as a core leadership skill.Hear how top leaders institutionalize truth-telling and dissent within their organizations to avoid blind spots and drive better decision-making.Find out why managing energy is just as important as managing time—and how CEOs structure their schedules for peak performance.Discover how to make bold, differentiating moves early in your leadership tenure to set the tone for lasting impact.Learn why the most effective CEOs challenge their own organizations like an activist investor, forcing teams to rethink assumptions and drive transformation.Explore the power of leadership storytelling—how CEOs use analogies and language to shape culture and inspire action.Uncover strategies for navigating the inevitable contradictions of leadership—short-term vs. long-term, data vs. intuition, and control vs. delegation.Hear how great CEOs build leadership factories, ensuring a pipeline of strong leaders while avoiding the distractions of succession politics.Understand why the best leaders don’t just execute strategy—they create the conditions for others to thrive and innovate.Find out when it’s time to step away and transition leadership—and how great CEOs prepare for what’s next.Connect with Kurt StrovinkKurt Strovink LinkedIn Kurt Strovink McKinsey & Company The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

Culture is often cited as a competitive advantage, yet many leaders fail to shape it with intention. In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Chris Dyer, a globally recognized company culture expert and the author of The Power of Company Culture. With years of hands-on experience advising leaders on how to build high-performance organizations, Chris shares why most leaders think they have a great culture—until cracks begin to show.Many executives believe culture is about mission statements, values, and engagement surveys—but Chris breaks down why it’s really about what leadership tolerates, ignores, and reinforces on a daily basis. Through sharp insights and real-world examples, he reveals the biggest blind spots CEOs and leadership teams have when it comes to culture and why those blind spots can lead to disengaged employees, stalled innovation, and underperformance.Rather than offering theoretical concepts, Chris lays out practical, high-impact shifts that any leader can implement—starting with transparency, accountability, and a relentless focus on amplifying what’s working instead of constantly fixing what’s broken. He also challenges leaders to rethink how they approach mistakes, talent retention, and performance management, emphasizing that protecting top performers is just as critical—if not more—than managing struggling employees.This conversation is packed with actionable leadership insights that go beyond culture as a buzzword and get into how leaders can build workplaces that drive engagement, innovation, and results. Whether you're leading a fast-growing company or steering an established organization through transformation, this episode will leave you with immediately applicable strategies to strengthen your leadership and build a culture that delivers.Actionable Takeaways from This Episode:The biggest culture myth leaders believe—and why it’s costing their organizations talent, engagement, and innovation.Why culture isn’t defined by what leaders say—but by what they tolerate, reinforce, and ignore.The 1% culture shift that compounds into massive organizational change—and why most leaders overlook it.How transparency can be a leadership superpower—and why withholding information creates disengaged teams.The accountability mistake that erodes culture—and what great leaders do differently.Why most organizations spend too much time fixing underperformers—and how to build a culture that protects and empowers top performers.The difference between a mistake and an error—and why knowing this distinction is essential for driving innovation.How the best cultures don’t happen by accident—and the leadership habits that create lasting impact.What leaders should focus on instead of “fixing” culture—and how to measure real progress.A simple but powerful reflection every CEO and executive team should ask themselves about their culture.Connect with Chris DyerChris Dyer Website Chris Dyer LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website