Partnering Leadership

Mahan Tavakoli•www.partneringleadership.com

Partnering Leadership is a top global podcast designed to help CEOs and senior leaders navigate the complexities of leadership, strategy, culture, and innovation. Hosted by Mahan Tavakoli—a seasoned leadership advisor with over 25 years of experience and recognized as a top thought leader in management—the podcast brings you real-world insights and practical advice to drive meaningful results.

Mahan’s experience as a trusted advisor shapes each discussion, driving deeper insights that challenge conventional thinking and uncover innovative approaches. Drawing from his extensive advisory background, Mahan dives into candid conversations with purpose-driven CEOs and global thought leaders, exploring how they overcame their biggest challenges and achieved transformative success. Each episode provides actionable strategies, real-world examples, and proven approaches to help you navigate change, align teams, and drive lasting impact.

Hear directly from top experts such as Ram Charan, Ken Blanchard, John Kotter, Stephen M.R. Covey, Hal Elrod, Carmine Gallo, Daniel Burrus, Garry Ridge, Jacob Morgan, Emily Field, Jonah Berger, Barbara Kellerman, Rich Diviney, Andrea Sampson, Ajay Agrawal, Dave Ulrich, Jerry Colonna, Renee Cummings, Brian Johnson, Warren Berger, Gustavo Razzetti, Azeem Azhar, David McRaney, Tim Clark, Jim Detert, Gary Bolles, Greg Satell, Robert Wolcott, Alden Mills, Minter Dial, Greg Wooldridge, Pete Steinberg, Joseph Fuller, Paul Roetzer, Whitney Johnson, Ron Adner, Bob Johansen, Leidy Klotz, Paul Smith, Louis Rosenberg, Rob Sadow, Dan Turchin, Steve Robinson, Park Howell, Mark Crowley, Maz Jobrani, LaTonya Wilkins, Rob Cross, Aiden McCullen, Eduardo Briceno, Jan Rutherford, Stephen Wunker, Charlene Li, Jon Levy, Anu Gupta, John Rossman, David Marquet, Tamsen Webster, Jack Phillips, Vanessa Bohns, Patrick McGinnis, Hakeem Oluseyi, Ed Hess, and Carolyn Dewar as well as renowned leaders like David Rubenstein, Jean Case, Tony Pierce, Linda Rabbitt, Paul Daugherty, Richard Bynum, John Veihmeyer, Howard Ross, Bill Novelli, Tien Wong, Stephanie Linnartz, Chuck Robb, Doug Dennerline, Charlene Drew Jarvis, Robert Rosenberg, Diane Hoskins, Deidre Paknad, David Gardner, and Marty Rodgers, and many more!

Their insights, paired with Mahan's expertise, equip you to tackle complex challenges, foster a high-performance culture, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world.

Listen today to gain the tools, perspectives, and proven strategies that can transform your leadership journey.

Available on all major podcast platforms or visit https://partneringleadership.com.

Last refreshed: July 2nd, 2025 at 1:37 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

395 [BEST OF] Greg Satell on How To Create A Movement That Drives Transformational Change

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Greg Satell, writer, speaker, innovation advisor, an expert on transformational change, and author of Cascades, shares lessons on how leaders can lead transformation in their organizations and the community. Greg Satell shares lessons learned from past transformations and how leaders can help lead change in organizations, especially through ongoing disruption. Some highlights: -Why Greg Satell moved to Poland and what it was like living in a post-communi...

Jul 01, 2025•47 min

394 Leading in the Exponential Era: Futurist David Espindola on AI, Strategy, and the Future of Work

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli is joined by David Espindola, a futurist and strategic advisor with deep expertise in technology, AI, and leadership. As the author of The Exponential Era and Soulful , Espindola brings a unique lens to the conversation—one that blends exponential technology insight with a deep understanding of human-centered leadership. His background, which spans Silicon Valley startups and CIO roles, grounds his perspective in both vision an...

Jun 24, 2025•50 min

393 Embracing Infinite Possibilities in Leadership: Lessons from Astronaut, Physician, and CEO Dr. Bernard A. Harris

In this episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential . His unique vantage point, shaped by science, space exploration, and C-suite leade...

Jun 17, 2025•43 min

392 Section CEO Greg Shove on Leading Through AI: Rethinking Business Models, Talent, and Strategy

In this episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and in this conversation, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how AI is fundamentally changing the role of leaders and the structure of modern organizations. From board-level decision-making to frontline productivity, he doesn’t just speculate—...

Jun 10, 2025•57 min

391 Thursday Refresh: Simon Bailey on Resilience and Brilliance: Unleashing Leadership Potential and Lessons from Disney

In this insightful episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Simon T. Bailey, a renowned speaker, leadership expert, and author of Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself Into a Thriving Future. Simon is best known for his work on personal and professional brilliance, with a focus on resilience—key themes that he passionately explores in his latest book. Throughout the discussion, Simon shares profound lessons from his experienc...

Jun 05, 2025•33 min

390 Beyond Engagement: What Great Leaders Actually Do Differently to Earn Commitment with Dave Garrison, Author, The Buy-In Advantage

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 rea...

Jun 03, 2025•41 min

389 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Leadership Lessons from Mike Mears, Former CIA HR Chief and Founder of the CIA Leadership Academy

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 CI...

May 27, 2025•52 min

388 Mastering Uncertainty: Lessons from Former Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney on Leading Yourself and Your Team When Nothing Goes as Planned

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 t...

May 20, 2025•46 min

387 You Can’t Outsmart AI—But You Can Out-Human It: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World with Mark Schaefer

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 simplis...

May 13, 2025•51 min

386 [BEST OF] Eduardo Briceno on The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action

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 indivi...

May 06, 2025•51 min

385 Thursday Refresh: Jim Detert on How to Choose Courage and Be Brave at Work

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 ...

May 01, 2025•44 min

384 The Power of Culture: Bringing values to life at work with Laura Hamill

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 fo...

Apr 29, 2025•45 min

383 Designing What Lasts: How Great Leaders Reimagine Ownership, Innovation, and Legacy with Alfredo De Massis

What does it take to build something that lasts—not just for years, but across generations? In this episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Alfredo De Massis, a globally recognized expert on family enterprise and author of The Family Business Book: A Roadmap for Entrepreneurial Families to Prosper Across Generations . As one of the most cited scholars in the field and a trusted advisor to multi-generational family businesses around the world, De Massis offers a rare combin...

Apr 22, 2025•46 min

382 Why Strategy Fails Without the Right Board: Didier Cossin on High Performance Boards & Decision-Making at the Top

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-discipl...

Apr 15, 2025•48 min

381 Reclaim the Moment: Building Clarity and Connection in a Chaotic World with Greg Bennick

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 inf...

Apr 08, 2025•42 min

380 Thursday Refresh: Mark Schaefer on Why Community is the Last Great Marketing Strategy in the Age of AI

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 ...

Apr 03, 2025•56 min

379 Unlocking AI: How Leaders Can Tap Into Generative AI’s Power with Rajeev Kapur

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 c...

Apr 01, 2025•30 min

378 [BEST OF] Barbara Kellerman on How to Break Free from the Grip of Toxic Leadership and Cultivate a Thriving Organization

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...

Mar 25, 2025•47 min

377 Leadership Lessons from Cyrus the Great: Timeless Principles for Modern Leaders with Darius Lahoutifard

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...

Mar 18, 2025•38 min

376 Leading Through Complexity: Becoming Courageous, Wise, and Steady in an Anxious World with Jennifer Garvey Berger

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 d...

Mar 11, 2025•40 min

375 March Refresh: Andrea Sampson on the Power of Strategic Storytelling in Leadership

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 effec...

Mar 06, 2025•49 min

374 The Viking Code: Redefining Leadership for the Exponential Age with Anders Indset

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 philos...

Mar 04, 2025•52 min

373 Mastering Leadership from the Inside Out: Transformative Insights for CEOs with Kurt Strovink, Global Head of McKinsey's CEO Practice

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...

Feb 25, 2025•54 min

372 The Power of Company Culture: How Any Business Can Build a Culture that Improves Productivity, Performance and Profits with Chris Dyer

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 ...

Feb 18, 2025•44 min

371 LinkedIn’s First CHRO and Author of Workquake Steve Cadigan on the Future of Work

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Steve Cadigan, renowned talent strategist, leadership advisor, and author of the acclaimed book Workquake . Steve brings decades of experience shaping talent strategies for some of the most innovative companies in the world, including Cisco, Electronic Arts, and LinkedIn, where he played a pivotal role as the company’s first Chief HR Officer during its meteoric rise. Steve Cadigan explores the seismic shifts reshaping the workp...

Feb 11, 2025•49 min

370 February Refresh: John Livesay on Selling Your Ideas Through the Power of Storytelling

John Livesay, The Pitch Whisperer and author of best-selling books, including Better Selling Through Storytelling and The Sale is In the Tale, joins Mahan Tavakoli on the Partnering Leadership podcast to share his insights on storytelling for leaders. In the conversation, John Livesay shares practical techniques to craft compelling stories that motivate teams, win business, and drive change. Additionally, John provides memorable examples and easy-to-apply storytelling frameworks, including the 3...

Feb 06, 2025•32 min

369 Democratizing Leadership Development: Transforming Workplace Culture with James Lawrence of Happy Companies

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli welcomes James Lawrence, a seasoned entrepreneur, leadership expert, and the driving force behind Happy Companies. With a dynamic career that includes founding multiple successful businesses, James has developed a passion for blending behavioral science, leadership, and innovative technology to create stronger, more aligned organizations. As the co-creator of Happy Companies, an AI-powered coaching platform, James shares his ex...

Feb 04, 2025•44 min

368 Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future from the Stanford d.school with Carissa Carter and Scott Dorley

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership , host Mahan Tavakoli dives into a fascinating conversation with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter, authors of Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future . As leaders at Stanford's d.school, Scott and Carissa bring a wealth of expertise on design thinking, adaptability, and systems thinking that is uniquely relevant for CEOs and senior executives facing today’s complex challenges. Their insights are a timely reminder of the impo...

Jan 28, 2025•41 min

367 Reauthoring Leadership: Take Charge of Your Story, Navigate Change, and Empower Transformation with Lior Arussy

In this episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli engages in a powerful conversation with Lior Arussy, renowned author, speaker, and expert in organizational transformation and customer experience. Lior is the author of the thought-provoking book Dare to Author: Take Charge of the Narrative of Your Life . In this episode, he brings his compelling insights to life, challenging leaders to rethink how they approach storytelling, organizational change, and leadership in an era of rapid disru...

Jan 21, 2025•52 min

366 Turning Disruption into Opportunity: The Top 25 Technology Trends for Strategic Advantage with Futurist Daniel Burrus

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership , host Mahan Tavakoli welcomes back world-renowned futurist, best-selling author, and innovation expert Daniel Burrus. Known for his groundbreaking book The Anticipatory Organization , Daniel has spent decades helping leaders navigate transformative change by teaching them to anticipate disruptions and turn them into opportunities. As the author of numerous reports on hard trends and future technologies, including his latest on the hard trends ...

Jan 14, 2025•39 min

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