Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jason Levin, Founder of Ready, Set, Launch and author of Relationships to Infinity: The Art and Science of Keeping in Touch. In the conversation, Jason Levin talks about the power of building authentic relationships and the importance of deep connections in the workplace. Jason also shares the importance of strengthening weak ties, reconnecting with dormant ties, and how to do it well. Jason also talks about social media's impact on how we form and maintain relationships and how to use it well. Finally, Jason lays out strategies for leaders to build a greater connection with and among team members.    Some highlights:- Jason Levin on recognizing the impact of relationships early on- The importance of depth in relationships and how to achieve greater depth- Jason Levin shares a systematic approach to reconnecting with dormant ties- The self-imposed barriers to reaching out and how to remove them- Jason Levin on how leaders can use the art and science of relationship building to enable greater collaboration in their organizations- The power of connections and building a stronger social networkBooks Mentioned:The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm GladwellTo Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others by Daniel H. Pink Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant Connect with Jason Levin:Ready Set Launch WebsiteRelationships to Infinity: The Art and Science of Keeping in Touch on AmazonJason Levin on TwitterJason Levin on LinkedInConnect 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 Sophie Wade, founder of Flexcel Network, work futurist, speaker, and author of Empathy Works: The Key to Competitive Advantage in the New Era of Work. In the episode, Sophie Wade talks about why empathy is a crucial corporate value and how it enables workforce transformation. Sophie Wade also shared examples of leading with Empathy and Empathy's role in human collaboration. Finally, Sophie Wade talked about how leaders can gauge the appropriate level and role of empathy at work.   Some highlights:- How culture influences empathy in the workplace- Sophie Wade's on how to develop greater empathy - How leaders can encourage greater empathy in their teams and organizations- Sophie Wade on whether there is a "right" amount of empathy in the workplace - Why the future of work requires even greater levels of empathy - Sophie Wade on the impact of hybrid work on team collaborationMentioned:- Satya Nadella, executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft Connect with Sophie Wade:Sophie Wade’s WebsiteEmpathy Works on Amazon Sophie Wade on TwitterSophie Wade on LinkedInConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore 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 shares thoughts on the importance of reducing our blind spots and letting others connect with our humanity. Then, Mahan briefly explains the Johari Window and how understanding it can help us better understand how to reduce blind spots and why showing more genuine vulnerability in leadership is crucial. Finally, Mahan shares specific actions we can take to reduce our blind spots and let others better connect with us as leaders.  Some highlights:-Accepting the fact that we all have blind spots-Why do our blind spots tend to grow as we gain more experience and move up in leadership roles-Why general feedback tools and 360s are not helpful and often counter-productive in reducing blind spots-The questions to ask and the people to ask those questions of to start reducing our blind spots-Why it's important to reduce what we keep hidden from others through showing genuine vulnerability -The types of experiences to share that are relevant to showing greater vulnerability and helping others connect with our humanityMentioned:-Ed Hess (Listen to Ed Hess's episode on Partnering Leadership here)- Ken Blanchard (Listen to Ken Blanchard's episode on Partnering Leadership here)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 Richard Carthon, CEO of Crypto Current and host of the Crypto Current podcast. Richard Carthon talks about blockchain technology, Web3, DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), DeFi (Decentralised Finance), NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), and cryptocurrency. Richard shares the basics of the technology behind each and their impact on the future of organizations.   Finally, Richard Carthon discusses how leaders can use blockchain to transform business operations.  Some highlights:- Richard Carthon on his upbringing and connecting with people of different cultures and perspectives- The conversation that started Richard Carthon’s path to understanding the blockchain and cryptocurrency- Richard Carthon on the definitions of blockchain and metaverse- How organizations and businesses are currently using blockchain technology and potential future applications- Richard Carthon shares examples of organizations from various industries and how they are using blockchain technology - Cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin & Ethereum), NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), DeFi (Decentralized Finance), and the five elements of blockchain technology- Richard Carthon on DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations)  Mentioned:Azeem Azhar (Listen to Azeem Azhar’s episode on Partnering Leadership here)Connect with Richard Carthon:Crypto Current Podcast Richard Carthon on TwitterRichard Carthon on LinkedInConnect 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 Tony Pierce. Tony Pierce is Akin Gump's Washington DC office partner in charge. He has more than three decades of experience in trial and litigation. In addition to his leadership at Akin Gump and impactful work on behalf of his clients, Tony Pierce has played a crucial leadership role in advancing business and philanthropic initiatives in the Greater Washington DC DMV region. Tony Pierce has served as past chair of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, serves on the Greater Washington Partnership board, and has played a leadership role in other civic and nonprofit organizations, including the Legal Aid Society of District of Columbia. In this conversation, Tony Pierce shares his leadership journey and the reason for his involvement to give back to the community through his involvement with many regional organizations.  Some highlights:- Tony Pierce on why he decided to become a lawyer and his initial successes in litigation- Why Washington DC DMV region put together a bid for the 2024 Olympics and the reasons the region didn't get the Olympics- Why Tony Pierce initiated a strategic review at the Greater Washington Board of Trade - The role of the Greater Washington Partnership in the Greater Washington DC DMV regional ecosystem- How nurturing talent in the Greater Washington DC DMV region can attract more business to the region- Tony Pierce's leadership of Akin Gump through challenging times- The importance of in-person connections and interaction to organizational culture and talent development Also mentioned in this episode:- Vernon Jordan, former adviser to President Bill Clinton- Robert “Bob” Strauss, founder of Akin Gump- Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards- Linda Rabbitt, founder and chairman of Rand Construction (Listen to Linda’s episode on Partnering Leadership)- Rosie Allen Herring, CEO of the United Way (Listen to Rosie’s episode on Partnering Leadership) - Trond Undheim, author and futurist (Listen to Trond’s episode on Partnering Leadership)- Below Deck, reality television series- Married at First Sight, reality television seriesConnect with Tony Pierce:Tony Pierce on LinkedInAkin Gump Official WebsiteConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore 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 Azeem Azhar - writer, technology analyst, and creator of the acclaimed Exponential View newsletter. Azeem Azhar is a senior advisor to PwC and is an investor in early-stage startups in AI, renewable energy, female health tech, self-driving cars, and marketplaces.In the conversation, Azeem Azhar shared perspectives from his book The Exponential Age: How Accelerating Technology is Transforming Business, Politics, and Society. Azeem shared how our societies and ways of life will change due to exponential technologies, why it's essential to understand the exponential changes better ahead, and how to thrive through the many changes ahead.Some highlights:- Azeem Azhar explained the impacts of technology on society, politics, and business- Why many people find it hard to understand and keep up with the pace of technological change- Understanding exponential growth and its potential impact on all aspects of life- The rise of AI, automation, and other exponential technologies, such as renewable energy, 3D printing, and synthetic biology- The impact of old tech regulations and approaches in a new digital world - How leaders can effectively lead through exponential change- The dilemma of understanding technology in policymakingAlso mentioned in this episode:- The Exponential Age: How Accelerating Technology is Transforming Business, Politics and Society by Azeem Azhar- Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil- Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez- The innovator's dilemma by Clayton Christensen- Brave New World by Aldous HuxleyConnect with Azeem Azhar:Exponential View Official WebsiteAzeem Azhar on TwitterAzeem Azhar on LinkedInConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore 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 Diane Hoskins. Diane Hoskins serves as co-CEO and chair of the board of directors for Gensler. As an MIT-trained architect and an MBA from The Anderson School at UCLA, Diane's career has touched architecture, design, real estate, and business. She has broad responsibility for running the company, which spans over 6,000+ employees across the globe.Diane Hoskins shared how her upbringing impacted her professional and leadership choices as well as leadership lessons from her career at Gensler and the challenges of leading Gensler through the pandemic. Diane Hoskins also addressed how Gensler focuses on purpose by aligning actions, big and small. Finally, Diane shared insights on rethinking collaborative spaces and the future of work.Some Highlights:- Diane Hoskins on choosing MIT and becoming an architect- Why Diane Hoskins decided to go to business school - How business and architecture connect- Diane Hoskins on leading people to collaborate on a purpose-driven mission- The impact of the design of workspaces on work performance- The influences of technology on workplace experience - Diane Hoskins on purpose-driven leadership- Future of work: connecting and bringing people back together through renegotiating and reimagining the work environment Also Mentioned:- Linda Rabbit, Founder and chairman of rand* construction corporation (Listen to Linda’s episode on Partnering Leadership here)Connect with Diane Hoskins:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianehoskinsGensler: https://www.gensler.com/people/co-ceosConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/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 John Kotter, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, co-founder of a management consulting firm Kotter International and a pioneer in organizational change. John Kotter is the author of 22 books on change, including his most recent book, Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile times. John Kotter talks about the struggles leaders and teams face when it comes to change and how to transform organizations to adapt to change effectively and rapidly.Some highlights:-John Kotter on the role of human nature on our resistance to change-The essential components for initiating change in the organization-Understanding the Survive and Thrive mode and how it impacts our ability to change-The power of Guiding Coalition to help bring expertise, energy, and perspective across the organization-The difference between management and leadershipAlso mentioned in this episode:Kelly King, Chairman, and CEO of Truist FinancialBook by John Kotter:Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile TimesConnect with John Kotter:John Kotter - Kotter International IncJohn Kotter on LinkedInJohn Kotter on FacebookJohn Kotter on TwitterConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore 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 Nicole Lynn Lewis, founder and chief executive officer of Generation Hope. This non-profit organization provides holistic assistance to young families. Nicole Lynn Lewis shares her story as a young parent attending college, the challenges she faced, and how it served as the inspiration behind her founding of Generation Hope.   Some highlights:- Nicole Lynn Lewis' childhood growing up in communities that didn't have much diversity- 'Your life is over!" Nicole shares her experience finding out she was pregnant while a senior in high school - Nicole Lynn Lewis on what motivated her to finish college with honors- Social Capital and the vital role it played in Nicole Lynn Lewis' journey and can play for all young adults- From communications to non-profit; what inspired Nicole Lynn Lewis to switch careers and start Generation Hope- Lack of diversity: the additional challenges many leaders of color face in trying to raise funds for their non-profits- How Generation Hope's 'holistic wraparound model' works- Why Nicole Lynn Lewis believes flexibility is crucial for the future of higher education- Generation Hope's plans on extending their impact Mentioned:Terri Freeman, board member at Generation HopeConnect with Nicole Lynn Lewis:Generation Hope WebsiteNicole Lynn Lewis WebsiteNicole Lynn Lewis on LinkedInNicole Lynn Lewis on TwitterConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore 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 Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley. Ken is the founder of the Ken Blanchard Companies and has co-authored more than 65 books on leadership, including all-time classics such as The One Minute Manager and Who Moved My Cheese, each with over 20 million copies sold. In this conversation, Ken Blanchard is joined by Randy Conley, Vice President of global professional services for the Ken Blanchard Companies. The discussion focuses on the leadership lessons from Ken Blancard and Randy Conley's latest book:   Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust, which he co-wrote with Randy Conley. Ken and Randy share how to apply the leadership principles to build trust and become the kind of leader others would want to follow.  Some Highlights:- Ken Blanchard on the impact of his upbringing on his leadership thinking and approach- Randy Conley on models for servant leadership- The importance of humility in leadership- Randy Conley on the complexity of leadership and the need to focus on fundamental principles- Ken Blanchard on how to build on your team's desire to contribute - Randy Conley on authenticity and its importance to servant leadership - Ken Blanchard on why "love" powers leadership- Randy Conley on extending trust - How leaders can encourage feedback from their teams- The ABCD model of trust - Ken Blanchard's breakdown of the servant leadership mindset- Putting situational leadership into practice- Ken Blanchard on having the reflective self versus the task-oriented self - Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley on the future of work Also mentioned in this episode:- Jim Collins, Level 5 Leadership- Garry O. Ridge, Chairman of the Board and chief executive officer of the WD-40 Company- Dale Carnegie, author- Rick Tate, authorBooks Mentioned:- Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust by Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley- The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson- The Power of Ethical Management by Ken Blanchard & Norman Vincent Peale- 10 Leadership Virtues for Disruptive Times: Coaching Your Team Through Immense Change and Challenge by Ken Blanchard and Zig Ziglar- Everyone's a Coach by Ken Blanchard and Don ShulaConnect with Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley:Ken Blanchard Official WebsiteRandy Conley’s BlogThe Ken Blanchard Companies on LinkedInThe Ken Blanchard on FacebookConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website