Partnering Leadership

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli celebrates 100 podcast episodes by going back to the core of it all: purpose-driven leadership. Mahan shares why purpose is becoming an overused buzzword, gives examples of organizations not living up to their purpose, and how we can become genuinely purpose-driven leaders.   Some highlights:-Mahan celebrates you, the purpose-driven audience of the Partnering Leadership podcast, in helping it become a top global leadership podcast. - 100 episodes of conversations with regional Greater Washington DMV changemakers and global thought leaders - Why purpose statements can sometimes be meaningless- Examples of companies acting in ways not aligned with their purpose.- Defining purpose-driven leadership- Critical factors driving purpose-driven organizations and leaders.  Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources are 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 Ann Hiatt, Leadership Strategist & Consultant and Author of the book Bet on Yourself. Ann Hiatt shared the many lessons she learned while working alongside the world's top tech CEOs—Google's Eric Schmidt, Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Yahoo's Marissa Meyer. In addition to the story of her reinvention, Ann Hiatt shared common practices and approaches of these and other top-performing leaders.   Some highlights:- Ann Hiatt on how she ended up working at Amazon and supporting Jeff Bezos- How Ann Hiatt handled the crisis when the helicopter she booked for Jeff Bezos ended up crashing- The leadership models, habits, thought processes Ann Hiatt learned from working closely with Jezz Bezos and Eric Schmidt- Ann Hiatt on how to hire people who are value-aligned and a good culture fit for your company- Why you should and how you can Bet on Yourself.  Also mentioned in this episode:-Jeff Bezos, Founder and Executive Chairman of Amazon-Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google-Andy Jassy, President and CEO of Amazon-John Doerr, Venture Capitalist at Kleiner Perkins, an early investor in companies including Amazon & Google, and OKR advocate  Book Recommendations:Bet on Yourself by Ann HiattMeasure What Matters by John Doerr Connect with Ann Hiatt:Bet on Yourself WebsiteAnn Hiatt on LinkedInAnn Hiatt on TwitterAnn Hiatt on InstagramAnn Hiatt on Facebook Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.com Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Richard Bynum, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at PNC, shares the many leadership lessons he learned while at the American Red Cross and in his various roles at PNC. Richard Bynum also shares why and how he intends to have an impact on reducing systemic inequities by leading the implementation of PNC’s Community Benefits Plan through which the company will provide at least $88 billion in loans, investments, and other financial support to benefit low- and moderate-income individuals and communities, people and communities of color, and other underserved individuals and communities. Some highlights:-How moving cities while growing up impacted Richard Bynum’s outlook on diversity.- Richard Bynum on the lessons he learned while at the Red Cross, including on 9/11.- A painful lesson Richard Bynum learned as a young manager.- Richard on the need to balance trust and expectations as a leader.- PNC’s $1 billion effort to help end systemic racism and support economic empowerment for Black Americans- What Richard Bynum’s hobby in genealogy has taught him about himself, his family, and the privileges Americans have today. Mentioned in this episode:-Michael N. Harreld, former Regional President of PNC Bank, Greater Washington, D.C. Area-D. Jermaine Johnson, Regional President for PNC Bank, Greater Washington, and Virginia-William “Bill” S. Demchak, CEO of PNC Financial Services-Eddie Meyers, Regional President of PNC Bank Georgia  Connect with Richard Bynum:Richard Bynum on LinkedInRichard Bynum on Twitter Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources are 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, Michele Wucker, author of The Gray Rhino and You Are What You Risk, explains the origin of the concept of gray rhino and how to use it to improve decision making. Michelle Wucker also shares how to spot a gray rhino and strategies for dealing with grey rhinos by applying her 5-stage framework. Michele also goes into the logic behind risk-taking and the necessity of understanding and assessing risk better as individuals and organizations based on her new book, You Are What You Risk.   Some highlights:-How the financial crises in Argentina and Greece inspired The Gray Rhino- Two very different yet essential concepts in understanding and assessing risk: How a Gray Rhino differs from a Black Swan- The 5-stage framework when dealing with a gray rhino- Why The Gray Rhino was more successful in China than in the U.S. and how it inspired Michele Wucker’s book, You Are What You Risk.- What a Risk Fingerprint is and how you can gain a better understanding of yourself and others through the risk fingerprint - Annie Edson Taylor’s story and the impact of a risk profile on decision making- The Gray Rhinos of today: Inequality, Financial Fragilities, and Climate Change Mentioned in this episode:-Nassim Nicholas Taleb, essayist, and author of The Black Swan-Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, psychiatrist and author-Geoff Trickey, managing director at Psychological Consultancy-Annie Edson Taylor, the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel-Lisa MacCallum, founder of Inspired CompaniesBook Recommendations:The Gray Rhino by Michele WuckerYou Are What You Risk by Michele Wucker  Connect with Michele Wucker:The Gray Rhino WebsiteMichele Wucker’s WebsiteMichele Wucker on TwitterMichele Wucker on LinkedIn Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.com Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, David Rubenstein, co-founder & co-chairman of Carlyle Group & President of the Economic Club of Washington DC, shares his journey from working at the White House to starting one of the largest private equity investment firms globally. He also talks about his leadership lessons, philanthropy, Peer-to-Peer interviewing for the Economic Club of Washington DC and Bloomberg TV, and the legacy he plans to leave behind. Some highlights:- David Rubenstein’s childhood and how he became an avid reader- David’s experience at the White House working for former U.S. President Jimmy Carter- The story behind David Rubenstein helping co-found the Carlyle Group- On becoming Carlyle Group’s fundraiser and how David increased its visibility - David Rubenstein’s leadership practices and values- ‘Patriotic Philanthropy’ and David Rubenstein’s signing of the giving pledge- David Rubenstein on the value of family and the importance of raising successful children- Why David Rubenstein accepted to become the President of The Economic Club of Washington DC and then decided to change the format. - Becoming a Peer-to-Peer interviewer: on self-deprecating humor, being a good listener, and more- Leadership lessons from David Rubenstein’s book, How to Lead- On his passion for capturing the ‘American experiment’ and his opinion on America today- David Rubenstein’s desire for impact as he ‘sprints’ to leave a legacy - Why David Rubenstein reads over 100 books a year and encourages others to read more- On moving forward post-COVID with ongoing transformation and change Mentioned in this episode:-Ted Sorensen, lawyer, and advisor to former President John F. Kennedy-Birch Bayh, former senator-Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. President-Alfred E. Kahn, economic advisor-William E. Simon, businessman, philanthropist, and 63rd United States Secretary of the Treasury-James Baker III, former United States Secretary of State-George H. W. Bush, 41st U.S. President-Frank Carlucci, former U.S. Secretary of Defense-John Major, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, former First Lady of the United States-Vernon Jordan, business executive, and civil rights activist-Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist-Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States-Indra Nooyi, CEO of of Pepsico-Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft-Tim Cook, CEO of Apple-Marc Andreessen, entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer-Andrew Grove, businessman, engineer, and former CEO of Intel CorporationBook Recommendations:-Patriots of Two Nations by Spencer Critchley -How to Lead by David Rubenstein Connect with David Rubenstein:David Rubenstein WebsiteThe Carlyle Group WebsiteThe David Rubenstein Show: Peer-to-PeerThe Economic Club of Washington D.C. Website Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahaConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Mark Johnson, co-founder and senior partner at Innosight. Innosight is a growth strategy consulting firm focused on helping leaders design and create the future instead of being disrupted. Mark Johnson focuses on growth strategy and disruptive transformation and has authored many books, including his latest, Lead from the Future. In this conversation, Mark Johnson discusses steps leaders can take to help their teams think more clearly, creatively, and expansively in guiding the organization through ongoing disruption.  Some highlights:-Mark Johnson talks about the importance of focusing time on future-back thinking.  -Mark discusses why facts and data are not as helpful in a future-back thinking approach.  -The present-forward fallacy and how to overcome it.-How leaders can get their teams to rally around a clear vision of the future.-Mark Johnson on the importance of becoming more narrative-oriented in communicating a vision of the future.   Mentioned:-Clayton Christiansen, Harvard Business School professor, author, and Co-founder of Innosight-Dr. Bob Johansen, author and a distinguished fellow with the Institute for the Future in Silicon Valley (Listen to Dr. Bob Johansen's Partnering Leadership episode here)-Admiral Jim Stavridis author 2034Book Recommendation:Lead from the Future by Mark Johnson and Josh Suskewicz Connect with Mark Johnson:Mark Johnson on LinkedInMark Johnson on Innosight  Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.com Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Beth Johnson, Founder and CEO of RP3 Agency. Beth Johnson shares the setback that helped birth RP3 and the organization's many successes over the years. Beth Johnson also shared why she initially became involved in the community and including her involvement in Washington Area Women's Foundation and Leadership Greater Washington.  Some highlights:-Beth Johnson shared how her mother's resilience played a role in her upbringing. - How an unexpected setback led Beth Johnson to found RP3 Agency.- The importance of relationships in growing RP3.- Why Beth Johnson chose to get involved in the community.   - How Beth's authentic leadership and growth mindset have helped her team navigate through the pandemic. Book Recommendation:Start with Why by Simon Sinek  Connect with Beth Johnson:Beth Johnson on LinkedInRP3 Agency website  Connect 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

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Irene Butter, a professor, peace activist, and holocaust survivor. Irene Butter shares why she decided to break her silence and tell the story of her family's experience through the Holocaust, first by sharing her story on stages and at schools and by eventually publishing her book: Shores Beyond Shores - from Holocaust to Hope, My True Story: A Bergen-Belsen Survivor's story of Hope over Adversity. Irene ends the conversation with a powerful message for all!Some highlights:-Irene Butter’s memory of a happy childhood with her family in Berlin, Germany-What a simple bar of chocolate represented for the Hasenberg family-Irene Butter on the trauma, fear, and sadness in the Westerbork Camp-Starvation and death in the Bergen-Belsen Camp -Irene Butter on her encounter with Anne Frank-How Irene Butter and the Hasenberg family managed to leave Bergen-Belsen-What motivated Irene Butter finally to share her family’s holocaust experience -Irene Butter on stories of triumph over trauma-Irene Butter on why you should never be a bystanderAlso mentioned in this episode:-Werner Hasenberg, Irene Butter's older brother and Holocaust Survivor-Hanneli Goslar, a close friend of Anne Frank, Holocaust Survivor-Anne Frank, Annelies Marie Frank was a German-Dutch diarist. She gained fame posthumously with the 1947 publication of The Diary of a Young Girl documenting her life in hiding from 1942 to 1944, during the German occupation of the Netherlands. -Elie Wiesel, Author, Philosopher, Humanist and World's leading spokesman on the HolocaustBook Recommendations:Shores Beyond Shores: From Holocaust to Hope, My True Story by Irene ButterConnect with Irene Butter:Irene Butter 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, Danny Vargas, US Air Force veteran, founder of VARCom Solutions, and community leader, shares impactful stories from his life, from growing up on welfare to becoming an award-winning and noted business & community leader. He also shares his mission to represent and give light to the contributions of the American Latino community to the country. Through and through, Danny Vargas’ story is one that is driven by mission and service.Some Highlights:-Danny Vargas on how his mother’s perseverance as a first-generation immigrant and single mother impacted him-His journey from growing up in one of the roughest streets of New York to serving in the US Air Force-His career after leaving the intelligence community and why he started VARCom Solutions-On giving back to the community and his mission to illuminate and champion the American Latino community -On dreaming big, overcoming fears, and defying limits: Danny Vargas’ advice to young leadersMentioned in this episode:-Frank Wolf, Former United States Representative-George W. Bush, 43rd U.S. President-Eva Longoria, American Latina actress-Emilio Estefan, American Latino musician-Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President-Mike Lee, Senator from Utah-Bernardo Vicente de Gálvez, Spanish General-George Washington, 1st U.S. President-Kim Stewart, Chairman at Leadership Fairfax-Karen Cleveland, President and CEO at Leadership FairfaxConnect with Danny Vargas:VARCom Solutions WebsiteDanny Vargas on LinkedInDanny Vargas 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 shares how leaders can effectively lead through uncertainty. With everything going on in the world, leaders might find it frustrating not knowing or being able to predict what’s ahead. Mahan mentions why the only certainty in the near future is that there will be greater uncertainty and shares five elements to consider when leading in a world of ambiguity. Some highlights:-Navigating and leading in a hyper VUCA world-How to embrace the discomfort of not knowing-Importance of focusing on purpose with humility-Why you should think in probabilities-Lead from the heart with empathy and vulnerability-The importance of over-communicating with transparencyMentioned in this episode:-Bob Johansen, renowned futurist and author (Listen to Bob Johansen’s podcast episode here)-Daniel Kahneman, psychologist and author-Annie Duke, author of Thinking in BetsConnect with Mahan Tavakoli:MahanTavakoli.comMore information and resources are available at the Partnering Leadership Podcast website: PartneringLeadership.comConnect with Mahan Tavakoli: Mahan Tavakoli Website Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn Partnering Leadership Website