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

95 Purpose-driven leadership is about more than just saying the right words | Mahan Tavakoli Partnering Leadership Insight

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 ep...

Oct 05, 2021•12 min

94 Trillion Dollar Leadership Secrets of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos & Google’s Eric Schmidt with Ann Hiatt | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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 e...

Sep 30, 2021•53 min

93 Tackling systemic inequities by leading the charge with Richard Bynum | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

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 l...

Sep 28, 2021•40 min

92 How to Make Better Decisions by Understanding the Gray Rhino and The New Art and Science of Navigating an Uncertain World with Michele Wucker | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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...

Sep 23, 2021•46 min

91 Leadership lessons from billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

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 Rubenste...

Sep 21, 2021•41 min

90 How to turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth by Leading from the Future with Mark Johnson | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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 ...

Sep 16, 2021•45 min

89 Leading with a commitment to people, clients, and the community with Beth Johnson | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

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. -...

Sep 14, 2021•43 min

88 Shores Beyond Shores - from Holocaust to Hope: A Bergen-Belsen Survivor's story of Hope over Adversity with Irene Butter | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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 conversa...

Sep 09, 2021•51 min

87 Not letting your past define your future and leading to make the American Latino Museum a reality with Danny Vargas | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

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: -Da...

Sep 07, 2021•35 min

86 How to lead through the certainty of uncertainty | Mahan Tavakoli Partnering Leadership Insight

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 d...

Sep 02, 2021•10 min

85 Letters to My White Male Friends with Dax Devlon Ross | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dax Devlon Ross, non-profit executive, equity consultant, and author of several books, including his latest work, Letters to My White Male Friends. Dax talks about his experiences growing up in Sheppard Park, DC, attending the mostly white Sidwell Friends school, and playing basketball in downtown DC. Dax speaks candidly about the scourge of racism and its impact on all of us and why he is committed to social justice and bringi...

Aug 31, 2021•47 min

84 Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders with Alain Hunkins | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Alain Hunkins, keynote speaker, facilitator, coach, and author of the best-selling book Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. Alain Hunkins shared principles and practices of effective leadership and the power of connection, communication, and collaboration. Some highlights: -Alain Hunkins on the value of connection to leadership -The power of empathy in leading people -The value of actively so...

Aug 26, 2021•51 min

83 Working to end poverty in the community by learning to say YES with Msgr. John Enzler | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Monsignor John Enzler, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, shares impactful stories from his childhood, his journey becoming a priest, and leadership lessons he’s learned through leading many charitable initiatives. Father John also explains the power of “yes” and the importance of collaborating with organizations of different faiths to fulfill a shared purpose. Some highlights: -Monsignor John Enzler’s childhood and...

Aug 24, 2021•38 min

82 The Creativity Leap: Unleash Curiosity, Improvisation and Intuition at Work with Dr. Natalie Nixon | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Natalie Nixon, creativity strategist, global keynote speaker, and author of the award-winning book The Creativity Leap , shares why it is essential to unleash creativity for ourselves and in leading our teams and organizations. Some highlights: -Dr. Natalie Nixon’s childhood and how her family inspired her to explore her creativity -Dr. Natalie Nixon on pursuing what you love -The role observation plays in creativity -The case of curiosity: why it is...

Aug 19, 2021•42 min

81 Leading to build on a heritage of service: Industrial Bank and its 3 generations as a black-owned bank with Doyle Mitchell | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Doyle Mitchell, President and CEO of Industrial Bank, shares memories from his childhood and how Industrial Bank, the largest and oldest minority-owned commercial bank in the Greater Washington DC DMV region, came to be. He also shares the struggles he’s faced as a black business owner and his hopes for black-owned businesses. Some highlights: -Doyle Mitchell’s childhood and how his parents impacted his life -The story behind Industrial Bank: a legacy bu...

Aug 17, 2021•26 min

80 The Leadership Decision: Decide to Lead Today with Dr. Catherine Rymsha | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Catherine Rymsha, a lecturer, Tedx Speaker, and author of the book The Leadership Decision: Decide to lead today. Dr. Rymsha shares how our choices and decisions define our leadership and help develop our leadership brand. Some highlights: -Dr. Catherine Rymsha on initiative and action as the foundation of leadership -Qualities of great leadership -Dr. Catherine Rymsha on how leaders can be strong and show vulnerability -Im...

Aug 12, 2021•33 min

79 Becoming antifragile, thriving, and leading through setbacks with Carla Reid | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carla Reid, General Manager and CEO of WSSC Water. Carla Reid talks about overcoming setbacks in life, resilience in leadership, and rebranding organizational culture with a vision and strategy for a positive impact on customers and the community. Some highlights: -Exposure and experience as crucial factors in figuring out your interests -Carla Reid's thoughts on taking on challenges and creating solutions -The why and how of s...

Aug 10, 2021•36 min

78 To become better leaders, we need to learn to disconnect and reflect | Mahan Tavakoli Partnering Leadership Insight

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about one of the lessons he learned from Italians on the value of disconnecting from work and the value of that disconnection to deep thinking required for leadership in disruptive times. Some highlights: -The Italians take their holidays seriously -Busyness doesn't help us in business -Leadership requires disconnecting and reflecting Connect with Mahan Tavakoli: MahanTavakoli.com More information and resources are available at the P...

Aug 05, 2021•7 min

77 Leading with purpose, from commanding in a war zone to fighting corporate corruption with Joe Gardemal | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Joe Gardemal. Joe serves as a managing director in the Washington DC office of Alvarez and Marcel and has over 30 years of experience in accounting, including in forensic accounting. He is a veteran of the Iraq war and is a recipient of a bronze star for his command during the Iraq campaign. Currently, Joe is the court-appointed independent monitor over GPB Capital Holdings. Some highlights: -Joe Gardemal talks about how to tak...

Aug 03, 2021•23 min

76 The alchemy of truly remarkable leadership with Dr. Jonathan Westover | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Jonathan Westover, Chair of Organizational Leadership Development at Utah Valley University and author of The Alchemy of Truly Remarkable Leadership. Dr. Jonathan Westover shares how you can tap into your own personalized leadership journey, expand your leadership potential, and grow as a leader while also helping others grow. Some highlights: -How experiencing different cultures influenced Jonathan Westover’s outlook on le...

Jul 29, 2021•45 min

75 A Masterclass in Purpose-Driven Leadership, Leadership Lessons from Winnie the Pooh and Three Moments of Joy with Robert Bies | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Professor Robert Bies. Bob Bies is a Professor of Management and founder of the Executive Masters in Leadership program at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business. Dr. Robert Bies shares different frameworks and models on how to become a more purpose-driven and impactful leader. Some highlights: -Robert Bies shares the role social justice can play in leading purpose-driven organizations. -The Tao of Pooh – How Winnie-the-Pooh'...

Jul 27, 2021•52 min

74 Cascades: How To Create A Movement That Drives Transformational Change with Greg Satell | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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 22, 2021•47 min

73 A business leader’s passion for equity, accessibility, and inclusion with Kim Alfonso | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Kim Alfonso, co-founder, and CEO of Results One. Kim Alfonso talks about advocating for people with disabilities, immersing herself in the disability world, and her mission to create a community that embodies dignity, respect, accessibility, and inclusion. Some highlights: -Kim Alfonso on her leadership challenges at Merck -Kim Alfonso on her inspiration to become an advocate for people with disabilities -Promoting accessibilit...

Jul 20, 2021•39 min

72 How to be a better leader by being yourself with Minter Dial | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Minter Dial, a keynote speaker, storyteller, book author, and award-winning film producer. Minter Dial shares lessons learned in leading brands, building communities, and about his latest book: You Lead: How Being Yourself Makes You a Better Leader. Some Highlights: -Minter Dial talks about the need for constant learning. -How to lead with greater authenticity. -Self-awareness is key to authenticity and leadership. -Minter Dial...

Jul 15, 2021•44 min

71 Bridging divides to build on the legacy of the daughters of the dream with Tamara Copeland | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tamara Copeland. Tamara led the Voices of America’s Children early on and was appointed legislative director for former Congressman Bobby Scott, and eventually served as the president of The Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. She is also the author of “DAUGHTERS OF THE DREAM: Eight Girls from Richmond Who Grew Up in the Civil Rights Era ”, a book about friendship formed from shared experiences during the civil righ...

Jul 13, 2021•43 min

70 Transforming a moment into a movement with a purpose mindset with Dr. Akhtar Badshah | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Dr. Akhtar Badshah, expert on social impact, philanthropy, CSR and international development, and author of The Purpose Mindset: How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World , shares impactful stories from his time heading Microsoft philanthropies and the many transformative movements Microsoft employees and alumni have started. He emphasizes that all it takes is a moment to recognize how we can bring change to our communities and turn...

Jul 08, 2021•37 min

69 Semper Fi leadership with Intelligent Waves President Tony Crescenzo | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Tony Crescenzo, a Marine Veteran, former Chief Executive Officer of IntelliDyne, and now President of Intelligent Waves LLC. Tony Crescenzo shares lessons from his service as a Marine, being willing to take on the costs of standing up for what’s right, and the many leadership lessons learned in leading teams and organizations through change. Some highlights: -Tony Crescenzo on the value of standing up for what’s right. -Why lea...

Jul 06, 2021•31 min

68 The hybrid future of work will require a different leadership mindset and skill set | Mahan Tavakoli Partnering Leadership Insight

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks about the challenges of a hybrid work environment for organizations and what leaders can do to successfully transition into a hybrid work environment. Some highlights: -Defining the purpose for bringing people back together -The advantages of working in-person compared to remote work -The some of the leadership challenges when operating in a hybrid work environment -OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a system to align teams in a hy...

Jul 01, 2021•10 min

67 Principle centered leadership with Dan Simons | Greater Washington DC DMV Changemaker

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli talks with Dan Simons. Dan Simons is the co-founder of the Farmers Restaurant Group. In this episode, Dan shares his journey of becoming a purpose-driven individual and leader. Dan Simons also shares the inspiring story of how Farmers Restaurant Group and his team faced the crisis while staying focused on their values and becoming better as a result. Some highlights: -Dan Simons on how his upbringing gave him a greater sense of purpose and...

Jun 29, 2021•35 min

66 Rethinking Competitive Advantage: New Rules for the Digital Age with Ram Charan | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Ram Charan, a world-renowned business consultant, former professor, and author of over 30 best-selling leadership books, including his most recent book, Rethinking Competitive Advantage. Ram Charan talks about digital transformation and how organizations can adapt to achieve a competitive advantage. Some highlights: -The difference between leaders and business people -Ram Charan on the importance of understanding consumer behav...

Jun 24, 2021•28 min

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