Partnering Leadership

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Indira Henard, Executive Director of the DC Rape Crisis Center ( DCRCC),  the oldest rape crisis center in the country.  Indira Henard talks about her upbringing in Chicago, Illinois, in a family of faith.  She also shares her transformative experience while at Wheaton College in Massachusetts.  Indira Henard talks about the reason she came to Washington DC and eventually chose to forgo an opportunity to work in the Obama administration to take on the challenge at DC Rape Crisis Center.  Indira Henard also talks about the challenges of leading a turnaround of DCRCC, leading the organization through the pandemic, and shares thoughts on how to lead teams for more engagement while continuing to go through uncertainty.   Finally, Indira Henard talks about her role as an adjunct professor at Catholic and Howard Universities.Some highlights- Indira Henard on growing up as the daughter of a Baptist minister and a social worker- The transformative impact of Wheaton College - Indira Henard on why she chose to join DC Rape Crisis Center and eventually accept to become the organization’s executive director- How Indira Henard was able to turn around an underperforming organization- The Importance of humanity in leadership and the challenges brought on by the crisis- Support of leaders from Leadership Greater Washington- Importance of building connections among team members- The Impact of Covid-19 on black nonprofit leaders- Training the next generation o social workers- The importance of mental health and healing for all, including organizational leadersConnect with Indira HenardDC Rape Crisis Center (DCRCC) Website Indira Henard on LinkedIn Indira Henard on Twitter Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tamsen Webster, renowned speaker, consultant, TEDx idea strategist, and author of Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Big Ideas Irresistible.  In the conversation, Tamsen Webster shared how leaders can communicate, so their ideas resonate more with their audience. Tamsen also gave examples of why more than having a powerful idea is needed and some of the biggest reasons others don't embrace ideas. She also talked about the value of compelling storytelling and how to do it well using her 5-step Red Thread method. Finally, Tamsen Webster shared thoughts on how to find the appropriate stories to tell that fit the message and the role the 5-step Red Thread method can play in all forms of communication.  Some Highlights:- Tamsen Webster on why and how the best communicators show their work- Using the Red Thread to connect the problem to the solution- The necessity of revealing conflict in messaging- Tamsen Webster on the moment of truth in powerful storytelling- How silent assumptions impact the perception of a message- The essential elements to incorporate in storytelling for transformational change- Tamsen Webster on how to tell more persuasive stories and add clarity to your messageConnect with Tamsen WebsterTamsen Webster Website Tamsen Webster on LinkedIn Find Your Red Thread: Make Your Ideas Irresistible 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 Joanne Irving, founder of Insight to Action Advisory and cofounder of The Chrysalis Group Inc.  Joanne Irving is also the author of  The C² Factor for Leadership: How the Alchemy of Curiosity and Courage Helps Leaders Become Champions and Lead Meaningful Lives.  In the conversation, Joanne Irving talks about her upbringing in a small town in Vermont and an incident from her childhood where she was eager to play with a group of kids who all went to day camp in the summer. She talks about how her experience as a newbie to the group made her both excited and nervous.  Joanne Irving shared the importance of courage and how it can be developed, and why it is important for that courage to accompany genuine curiosity.  Joanne Irving also stresses the importance of taking moments to be conscious and reflect on our lives. She explains that it takes courage to do this, but it is worth it in the end. Taking time to reflect can help us learn and grow as individuals.  Finally, Joanne Irving addresses how the practice of courage and curiosity can help teams thrive together.  Some highlights- Joanne Irving, on being a happy explorer - The power of positive feedback and how it can help develop strengths in others - The Importance of meditation and reflection in leadership- The impact of organizational environment on people- Joanne Irving on the power of curiosity and courage in leadership - Cognitive biases and their role in curiosity and courage- The Dunning Kruger Effect and its role in curiosity- The importance of leading with questions and respecting different voicesResources:C2 Factor Assessment The C² Factor for Leadership: How the Alchemy of Curiosity and Courage Helps Leaders Become Champions and Lead Meaningful Lives on Amazon Connect with Joanne IrvingInsight2Action Advisory Website Joanne Irving 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 Jack Phillips, Chairman of ROI Institute, a world-renowned expert on accountability, measurement, and evaluation and author or editor of more than 75 books on evaluation, metrics, and analytics. The conversation focuses on Jack and Patti Phillips’ latest book,  Show the Value of What You Do: Measuring and Achieving Success in Any Endeavor.  In the conversation, Jack Phillips shares how his engineering background played a role in his understanding of measurement and how showing the value of what you do in a credible, logical, and rational way.  Jack Phillips also shares the importance of measuring impact to show the value and recalibrate projects and organizational initiatives.  Then Jack Phillips shares examples from various sectors on how measurement can be of real value to individuals, teams, and organizations.  Finally, Jack Phillips shares ideas on how organizations can focus on the right measures for alignment.Some Highlights- How Jack Phillips' background in engineering helped him think about the measurement of training- Why it’s important to consistently measure and show the value of organizational projects and initiatives- Jack Phillips gives examples of the importance of ROI, including in the public sector - Showing the value of spiritual care and its impact on health outcomes - Why do a lot of training measurement stops at “smile sheets”- The importance of measuring learning and development impact - How to show the value of what you do no matter your role in the organization- The role of employee ROI in performance management- Jack Phillips on the power of OKRs in organizational alignment Connect with Jack PhillipsROI Institute  Jack Phillips 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 H.H. Leonards.  H.H. Leonards is the founder and chair of the O Street Museum Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and the Mansion on O Street, where Mrs. Rosa Parks called her home-away-from-home for the last decade of her life. H.H. Leonards is also the author of the book Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, and Leadership.  Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott. In the conversation, H.H. Leonards shares why they connected on a deep level when she met Rosa Parks.  H.H. Leonards also shares both historical accounts recounted to her by Rosa Parks as well as her experience during the ten years Rosa Parks lived at the Mansion on O Street.  Finally, H.H. Leonards shares what Rosa Parks felt it would take to end racism and her hope for future generations.  The episode ends with the beautiful song “Enough” which was made to honor Rosa Parks.  The song lyrics are by Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams, and the music was written by Mark Bryan (lead guitarist for Hootie & the Blowfish) and Ranky Tanky, both Grammy winners. Some Highlights-Why Rosa Parks came to Washington DC to live at the Mansion on O Street-H.H. Leonards and Rosa Parks bonding over their shared values of family, love, and helping others-Rosa Parks' role in the civil rights movement and the many challenges she faced after the Montgomery Bus Boycott-The many myths surrounding Rosa Parks not giving up her seat on the bus and what really happened that fateful day and why-H.H. Leonards on getting to know Rosa Parks even better, by accompanying her to meetings and through her touch-Rosa Parks’ role in the founding of the National Organization for Women-How Rosa Parks' meeting with Pope John Paul II came about and its significance-Rosa Parks’ view on what it would take to help end racism-The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom-The three-city funeral for Rosa Parks-A message that Rosa Parks would want to be passed on to future generationsResources:YouTube Video of Enough Rosa Parks Beyond the Bus: Life, Lessons, and Leadership on Amazon Connect with H.H. LeonardsThe Mansion on O Street H.H. Leonards on LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tom Taulli, author of multiple books, including Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction, which serves as the focus of this conversation.  Tom Taulli has been developing software since the 1980s. In college, he started his first company, which focused on developing e-learning systems. He also created other companies, including Hypermart.net, which was sold to InfoSpace in 1996. Along the way, Tom has written columns for online publications such as BusinessWeek.com, TechWeb.com, and Bloomberg.com. He also writes posts on Artificial Intelligence for Forbes.com and is the advisor to various companies in the space. In this conversation, Tom Taulli shares some of the key factors in AI and why understanding the role of AI in organizations will be critical for leaders.  Tom Taulli shares examples of uses of AI, including the role that ChatGPT can play for organizations and in transforming other aspects of life, including education.  Tom Taulli talks about some of the current use cases for AI in organizations and how leaders can start testing to familiarize themselves with the potential of AI for their teams and organizations.  Finally, Tom Taulli shares how nontechnical leaders can stay on top of emerging trends and ensure they are leading their teams and organizations with an understanding of their application in various parts of their business.  Some highlights- Tom Taulli on how he became emersed in technology and why he is now focused even more on artificial intelligence.- The impact of AI on our approach to education- Tom Taulli on the Venn diagram of AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning- The different applications of AI - The potential impact of AI on human emotions- The opportunities and dangers of big data - Data’s contribution to AI bias - The benefits and risks of AI in business- How organizations can use Chat GPT - The evolution of conversational AI and where we are headed- The Impact of OpenAI's Chat GPT-3 on the Future of AI- How AI will impact cyber security and what leaders need to consider- The potential impact of AI on industries as varied as healthcare, construction, and agriculture- How AI could impact the future of employment and the future of workConnect with Tom TaulliTom Taulli Website Tom Taulli on Twitter Tom Taulli on LinkedIn Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction on Amazon Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies. Troy LeMaile-Stovall has led the organization to cultivate an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem.In this conversation, Troy LeMaile-Stovall discusses his upbringing and how it has impacted the kind of leader he is today. He shares how his experience as a Texan and a Catholic has shaped his leadership style and how he looks to have a greater impact as he leads TEDCO into the future.Troy LeMaile-Stovall describes three defining moments in his life: coming from a divorced family in the Catholic Church, growing up with a sister who had sickle cell, and finding out that his biological father was not who he thought he was. These experiences have shaped his view of humanity and relationships.Troy LeMaile-Stovall describes his journey to success, beginning with his humble upbringing in Houston, Texas. He talks about how he was the first black student body president of his high school and the salutatorian. He attributes his success to two things: strength and courage. He talks about how his sister Tracy was a big source of strength and courage for him throughout his life. He talks about how she helped him through difficult times, including when she was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.Finally, Troy LeMaile-Stovall talks about his faith, gratitude, and purpose, what the future of work will look like and how economic development and regional cooperation can play a role in that future..Some Highlights-Troy LeMaile-Stovall's defining moments-The importance of gratitude and purpose in everyday life-How Troy LeMaile-Stovall found his calling in business-Troy LeMaile-Stovall’s career journey-The importance of understanding different perspectives in the workplace-The impact of Covid-19 on economic metrics-The benefits of collaboration in the DMV Region- Troy LeMaile-Stovall on innovation in leadership-How loss impacts our lives and how to use it to become stronger-The impact of group-think on leadership-Troy LeMaile-Stovall on reinventing TEDCO for the futureConnect with Troy LeMaile-StovallTEDCO Website Troy LeMaile-Stovall 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 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