Partnering Leadership

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 TakeawaysYou’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 GarrisonDave 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 TakeawaysHear how a senior CIA leader’s frustration with ineffective levers led to a deep reevaluation of leadership systemsLearn why many leadership tools—still rooted in industrial-era thinking—don’t reflect how the brain actually worksDiscover how emotional uncertainty impacts employee performance and what leaders can do to restore clarity and directionUnderstand the behavioral progression that effective leaders follow: safety, trust, clarity, and only then challengeLearn why short, consistent check-ins often outperform more complex performance systemsHear Mike’s candid reflection on the value of feedback—and why he wishes he had given far more of it as a leaderExplore how “soft accountability” can help embed new leadership habits without adding bureaucracyUnderstand the long-term damage of poor leadership selection—and why choosing the right managers matters more than developing the wrong onesLearn why culture is local, and why the team leader—not the organization—defines most of the employee experienceDiscover how to align leadership actions with human nature to build teams that perform better under pressure and changeConnect with Mike MearsMike 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 TakeawaysHear 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 DivineyThe Attributes Website Rich Diviney LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep observer of technological change, Schaefer brings sharp clarity to a pressing leadership question: what does it take to stay relevant when artificial intelligence makes intelligence itself abundant?Rather than offering a simplistic take on AI, Schaefer challenges leaders to confront a more nuanced truth: AI doesn’t just change how we work—it redefines where we create value. In a world where intelligence is cheap and accessible to everyone, he argues, leaders must shift their organizations from knowledge accumulation to human differentiation.The conversation dives into what “out-humaning” AI actually looks like. From designing moments of awe to fostering fearless creativity, Schaefer offers examples and frameworks that push beyond theory. He connects storytelling, community-building, and emotional resonance not just as marketing strategies—but as core leadership capabilities that machines can’t replicate.This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, board members, and senior executives grappling with the implications of AI. It’s not about resisting the future—it’s about recognizing what only humans can do, and leading teams to do it with more clarity, urgency, and creativity than ever before.Actionable TakeawaysYou'll learn why intelligence is no longer a competitive advantage—and what replaces it at the leadership level.Hear how to reframe your organizational structure and decision-making in a world where AI handles most of the “smart work.”Discover what Mark Schaefer means by “out-humaning AI” and why that’s now your most important leadership mandate.You'll learn why competence is no longer enough—and how leaders who rely on it alone risk irrelevance.Hear how to use awe, authenticity, and community as strategic tools to build trust and emotional engagement that AI can’t touch.You'll learn how to think about brand relevance and personal credibility when your audience knows AI could have written your content.Hear how to identify and overcome the fear that’s keeping your organization stuck in mediocrity.You'll learn what makes bold storytelling and immersive experience design the next frontier in business leadership.Hear how to embrace AI as a creative partner without outsourcing your strategic soul.Connect with Mark Schaefer :Website: Businesses GrowSocial Media: Twitter | LinkedInConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Eduardo Briceño, author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action. In the discussion, Eduardo dives into the transformative power of a growth mindset and how we can apply it to unlock our potential. He shares how a crippling physical injury early in his career led him to Carol Dweck's pioneering work on a growth mindset. This proved life-changing for Eduardo, setting him on a path to teaching individuals, teams, and organizations how to break free of chronic stagnation. In the conversation, Eduardo Briceno explains the performance paradox, where focusing solely on performing without learning leads to poor results. He offers strategies for leaders to get their teams to embrace a growth mindset.  Some of the Growth Mindset Takeaways That Will Get You Thinking: Why integrating micro-learning into daily work trumps sporadic learning sessions. Learn how to distinguish positive stretch mistakes from dangerous high-stakes ones.  How leaders can model a growth mindset openly to influence their teams. The role a culture alignment and tweaking existing systems plays in helping teams adopt a growth mindset.The type of accountability that matters for both learning and performing. Connect with Eduardo BriceñoEduardo Briceno Website Eduardo Briceno LinkedIn The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action 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 Jim Detert, John L. Colley Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and author of Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work. In this conversation, Jim Detert shares how we can become more courageous by developing our courage capabilities. Jim Detert also shares how leaders can nurture a psychologically safe organizational culture, enabling and encouraging more courageous interactions and decisions at work.   Some highlights:-Why attributing courage just to historical figures can be counterproductive -The importance of being more courageous and how to develop our courage muscle-Jim Detert on the benefits of courage at work-How leaders can create a psychologically safe environment that encourages team members to speak up and contribute their best at workMentioned:-Amy Edmondson, Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School and author of Fearless Organization and Creating Psychological Safety-Vanessa Bohns (Listen to Partnering Leadership conversation with Vanessa Bohns)-Gary Bolles (Listen to Partnering Leadership conversation with Gary Bolles)-Difficult Conversations by Bruce Patton, Douglas Stone, and Sheila Heen-Radical Candor by Kim Scott-Giving Voice to Values by Mary C. Gentile -The Silent Language Of Leaders by Carol GoldmanConnect with Jim Detert:Jim Detert WebsiteChoosing Courage on AmazonJim Detert on FacebookJim Detert on 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 Laura Hamill, organizational psychologist, startup co-founder, and author of The Power of Culture. Laura shares how her early experiences and leadership journey at Microsoft shaped her passion for understanding the hidden forces that drive organizational behavior and business outcomes.Laura emphasizes that culture is not a branding exercise or an HR initiative — it is a core leadership responsibility and a strategic lever for success. She discusses the disconnect many organizations face between their stated values and the actual employee experience, warning of the costly "cultural betrayal" that can occur when leaders aren't intentional about culture.Drawing from real-world examples, Laura outlines how power dynamics, leadership behavior, and systematic feedback are crucial to building a culture that truly supports business goals. Whether you're leading a global company or managing a key division, this conversation offers pragmatic strategies to turn culture from an abstract idea into a business advantage.Actionable TakeawaysHear how Laura’s early life and career experiences built her deep expertise in organizational culture.Learn why executives — not just HR — must lead culture initiatives for real impact.Find out how to avoid "cultural betrayal" and strengthen employee trust.Discover why behavior modeling, not slogans, is essential to culture change.Learn simple ways to assess culture health in your teams without massive initiatives.Understand how hybrid work is reshaping how leaders must communicate culture.Connect with the GuestWebsite: Paris Phoenix GroupLinkedIn: Laura HamillBook: The Power of Culture available on AmazonConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

Alfredo De Massis, a globally recognized expert on family enterprise and author of The Family Business Book, shares insights on creating enduring legacies. He emphasizes the need for leaders to design systems that outlast their tenure, moving beyond traditional succession planning. De Massis introduces the concept of the 'family galaxy,' which accommodates different generational talents. The conversation also touches on navigating AI disruptions in family businesses and the critical balance between innovation and tradition for long-term success.

What if the greatest risk to your organization isn't economic uncertainty, market volatility, or disruptive technology—but the decisions being made in your own boardroom?In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Didier Cossin, IMD professor and global expert in board governance, whose book High Performance Boards has become a must-read for senior leaders looking to elevate board effectiveness. Drawing from decades of research, real-world consulting, and cross-disciplinary experience—including economics, risk management, and even poetry—Cossin brings a powerful lens to what leadership at the top should really look like.Cossin argues that governance has been misunderstood by many organizations as a compliance function, rather than what it truly is: a system that shapes the quality of executive decisions. He challenges CEOs and board members to rethink how they engage with one another, what information they rely on, and who actually owns governance performance. The result is a compelling case for boards as enablers of transformation—not just overseers of risk.Throughout the conversation, Cossin shares examples and frameworks that translate theory into practice. He offers clarity on how boards can evolve to meet the complexity of today’s environment while helping CEOs make better, faster, and more strategic decisions. From the role of the chair to the structure of board packs to the power of informal intelligence, every element of this conversation is designed to elevate how boards contribute to long-term success.If you are a CEO, board member, or executive leader committed to high-performance leadership and long-term impact, this episode offers both insight and challenge to help you lead more effectively—starting at the top.Actionable TakeawaysHear how Didier Cossin reframes governance as a driver of decision quality—not just risk oversight or compliance.Learn why the chair, not the CEO, is ultimately responsible for board performance—and why that distinction matters.Discover how most boards are overwhelmed with information but still lack the intelligence needed for high-quality decisions.Understand the four levers of board performance—people, information, structure, and culture—and how each one shapes outcomes.Explore how the CEO-chair relationship must be intentionally designed, not assumed, for true alignment and accountability.Find out why board materials should be curated like an executive dashboard—and how overstuffed board books hinder strategic conversations.Learn how boards should evolve from approving strategy to actively shaping it—especially in complex and fast-moving environments.Reflect on how strong governance creates the organizational capacity to adapt, lead, and perform over the long term.Connect with Didier CossinDidier Cossin at IMD Didier Cossin LinkedIn High Performance Boards Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

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