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

335 The Power of Strategic Storytelling in Leadership: Making Your Messages Memorable with Andrea Sampson | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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...

Jul 23, 2024•49 min

334 Mastering Leadership Excellence: Unlocking Team Synergy, Innovation, and Strategic Decision-Making, Mahan Tavakoli interviewed by Enrique Acosta Gonzalez on Developing the Leader Within Podcast

In this special episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli, usually the host, is in the spotlight as he is interviewed by Enrique Acosta Gonzalez for the Developing the Leader Within podcast. Mahan, CEO of Strategic Leadership Ventures and a highly regarded thought leader shares profound insights on leadership, drawing from his extensive experience working with top executives and CEOs globally. The conversation explores the nuances of effective leadership, emphasizing the shift...

Jul 16, 2024•25 min

333 Tailored Self-Leadership: Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick on Customizing Your Style, Overcoming Blind Spots, and Driving Organizational Success | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Grant 'Upbeat' Bosnick, an expert in leadership development and the author of Tailored Approaches to Self-Leadership. Grant shares his journey from Toronto, Canada, to his extensive experience in Asia, where he has spent over two decades honing his leadership skills. Drawing on his diverse background, including a fascinating stint in the entertainment industry, Grant provides deep insights into the nuances of effective leadership....

Jul 09, 2024•33 min

332 Thursday Refresh: Rear Admiral Kyle Cozad on How to be a Relentlessly Positive Leader

Retired US Navy Admiral Kyle Cozak shares his inspiring journey of resilience and leadership in this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast. From his upbringing in Las Vegas to his life-altering accident, Admiral Cozak's story is a testament to the power of trust, positive thinking, and determination. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication, trust, and relatability in leadership and how these qualities can empower individuals to make the right decisions. Admiral Cozak's relentl...

Jul 04, 2024•48 min

331 [BEST OF] Greg Wooldridge on Leadership Secrets of the Blue Angels

In this captivating episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Greg Wooldridge, the only person to have led the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's renowned flight demonstration squadron, three times. With his unparalleled experience and unique insights, Greg Wooldridge shares valuable lessons on leadership, team dynamics, and the pursuit of excellence that is applicable not only in the cockpit but also in the boardroom. Throughout the conversation, Greg Wooldridge discusses the co...

Jul 02, 2024•45 min

330 Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success with Pete Steinberg | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, host Mahan Tavakoli engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Pete Steinberg, a seasoned rugby coach, leadership consultant, and author of the book, Leadership Shock: Using Authenticity to Navigate the Hidden Dangers of Career Success. With a rich background in coaching women's rugby at Penn State and leading the U.S. Women’s National Rugby Team, Pete brings a unique perspective to organizational leadership, focusing on the parallels b...

Jun 25, 2024•36 min

329 The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors with Scott Mautz | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Scott Mautz, a renowned leadership expert and the author of The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors. Scott brings decades of experience from the corporate world, including a distinguished career at Procter & Gamble, to share profound insights on what it takes to build mental strength and lead effectively, especially in challenging times. Scott's journey began...

Jun 18, 2024•35 min

328 Get Over Yourself: How to Lead and Delegate Effectively for More Time, More Freedom, and More Success with Dave Kerpen | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this engaging episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli hosts NY Times Best Selling author and serial entrepreneur Dave Kerpen. The conversation focuses on Dave Kerpen’s most recent book, Get Over Yourself: How to Lead and Delegate Effectively for More Time, More Freedom, and More Success. In the episode, Dave Kerpen emphasizes the importance of strategic delegation, sharing personal anecdotes and practical insights that underscore how effective delegation can lead to great...

Jun 11, 2024•38 min

327 Thursday Refresh with Jonah Berger on Magic Words to Unleash the Power of Effective Leadership and Positive Influence | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Jonah Berger, Wharton School professor and internationally bestselling author of Magic Words, Contagious, Invisible Influence, and The Catalyst. In the conversation, Jonah Berger talked about the role of influence in our lives and leadership. He explained why influence is a tool and how to use it for positive impact. Jonah Berger then addressed the role of language in influencing others, and the six types of research supporte...

Jun 06, 2024•33 min

326 From Bad to Worse: How to Break Free from the Grip of Toxic Leadership and Cultivate a Thriving Organization with Barbara Kellerman, Founding Executive Director of the Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership | Partnering Leadership

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...

Jun 04, 2024•47 min

325 Unlocking the Power of Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Delivery are Transforming Business, Society and Daily Life with Robert Wolcott | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Robert Wolcott, a renowned expert on innovation and the co-author of Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life. In the conversation, Rob Wolcott shares his groundbreaking insights on how digital technologies are revolutionizing industries and reshaping the future of work, healthcare, and beyond. Through engaging anecdotes and thought-provoking examples, Wolcott...

May 28, 2024•51 min

324 Adapting to the Seismic Shift in Work: The Role of Flexibility and the Future of the Office with Rob Sadow, Co-Founder & CEO of Scoop and The Flex Index | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Rob Sadow, the co-founder and CEO of Scoop and the mastermind behind The Flex Index. As a leading expert on the future of work, Rob shares his invaluable insights on navigating the seismic shift towards hybrid and flexible work arrangements. Drawing from his extensive experience and data-driven approach, Rob goes into the challenges and opportunities that come with this transformative change in the workplace. Throughout the ...

May 21, 2024•49 min

323 Collaborative Entrepreneurship: Leading Advertising's Adaptation to Disruption with Tim Ringel, Global CEO & Co-Founder of Meet The People | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Tim Ringel, the visionary CEO of Meet the People, a trailblazing agency that's reshaping the advertising and marketing landscape. With a career spanning decades and continents, Tim Ringel brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in the digital age. Throughout the conversation, Tim shares his journey from a small town in Germany to the bustling str...

May 14, 2024•40 min

322 Leveraging the Yin and Yang: Secrets to Building a High-Performing CEO-COO Partnership with Cameron Herold, Founder of COO Alliance | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Cameron Herold, a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and author of the book The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO. With a wealth of experience as a COO and having coached numerous companies worldwide, Cameron shares his invaluable insights on the critical role of the COO and how to create a high-performing CEO-COO dynamic. Throughout the conversation, Cameron dives deep into the complexities of the COO role and t...

May 07, 2024•34 min

Thursday Refresh with Dave Ulrich, Father of Modern Day HR on Leading the Organization of the Future | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dave Ulrich. Known as the Father of modern-day HR, Dave Ulrich is the Rensis Likert Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and a partner at the RBL Group, a consulting firm focused on helping organizations and leaders deliver value. Dave Ulrich has published over 30 leadership, organization, and human resource books. The discussion with Dave Ulrich touches on measuring a leader's effectiveness, the di...

May 02, 2024•52 min

320 Reboot Your Leadership: The CEO Whisperer Jerry Colonna on Humanity, Courageous Leadership, and Belonging | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this thought-provoking episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Jerry Colonna, CEO of Reboot.io and the renowned CEO coach known as the “CEO Whisperer.” Jerry Colonna is also the author of the groundbreaking books Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up and Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong. With his unique background as a successful venture capitalist turned executive coach, Jerry brings a wealth of experience and wi...

Apr 30, 2024•42 min

319 Becoming Unstoppable: Leadership Lessons from a Navy SEAL Turned CEO with Alden Mills | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Alden Mills, three-time Navy SEAL Platoon Commander and INC 500 CEO. Alden Mills is also the author of three books, the latest of which is Unstoppable Mindset: How to Use What You Have to Get What You Want. Throughout the conversation, Alden shares his insights on navigating change, fostering ownership, and cultivating a resilient mindset in both personal and professional contexts. Throughout the conversation, Alden draws up...

Apr 23, 2024•49 min

318 Bracing for Impact: How Generative AI Will Disrupt Education and Learning – and How to Ride the Wave with Jason Gulya | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Jason Gulya, a higher education AI Strategist, to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and organizations. As someone who initially resisted the idea of becoming a teacher, Jason's journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and embracing change. Jason shares how his unique upbringing, with three brothers close in age, shaped his understanding of community and individual ne...

Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min

317 The Future of Empowered Management: Insights on Systems, Mindsets, and Democratizing Performance from OnLoop's CEO &Co-Founder JJ (Projjal) Ghatak | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with JJ (Projjal) Ghatak, a seasoned technology executive who has held key roles at companies like Uber and is currently the Co-Founder and CEO of OnLoop, a habit-forming, genAI-powered goals and feedback platform for high functioning teams. Projjal Ghatak shares his unique insights on building mission-driven cultures, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology to empower managers and drive organizational success. Drawing...

Apr 09, 2024•48 min

316 Thursday Refresh Paul Daugherty, CTO Accenture on Human + Machine, Radically Human How New Technology Is Transforming Business and Shaping Our Future | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this engaging episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, host Mahan Tavakoli engages in an insightful conversation with Paul Daugherty, the group chief executive of technology and chief technology officer at Accenture. During the episode, Paul Daugherty emphasizes the criticality of adopting a technology-focused mindset and embracing constant reinvention and agility in the face of evolving technologies. He highlights the importance of organizations becoming learning organizations equipped ...

Apr 04, 2024•36 min

315 [Best of] Leadership lessons from billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, Carlyle Group Co-Founder and Co-Chairman

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with David Rubenstein, co-founder & co-chairman of Carlyle Group & President of the Economic Club of Washington DC. In the conversation David Rubenstein 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 le...

Apr 02, 2024•35 min

314 Leading Excellence: Greg Wooldridge's Leadership Secrets as the Blue Angels' Only 3-Time Commanding Officer | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

Mar 26, 2024•45 min

313 Strategies to Help You and Your Organization Thrive in a Fast-Changing World by Anticipating What's Next with Futurist Daniel Burrus | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli interviews Daniel Burrus, a world-renowned futurist, strategist, and author of The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change into Opportunity and Advantage. In the conversation, Daniel Burrus shares his powerful framework for anticipating the future and shaping strategies accordingly, emphasizing the importance of identifying hard and soft trends to gain certainty in an uncertain world. Throughout the conversation, ...

Mar 19, 2024•49 min

312 The Great Engagement: How Leaders Inspire Exceptional Organizational Cultures by Unlocking Team Potential with Brad Zimmerman | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Brad Zimmerman, a seasoned business consultant and coauthor of The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures. With over thirty years of experience guiding businesses to success, Brad brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to the table. Throughout the conversation, Brad and Mahan delve into the critical importance of employee engagement and how leaders can effectively align individual purpose with or...

Mar 12, 2024•50 min

311 Thursday Refresh with Ajay Agrawal on Prediction Machines, Power & Prediction and Leading Through The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Professor Ajay Agrawal, the Geoffrey Taber Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. Ajay Agrawal is also the founder of the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a not-for-profit program for early-stage, science-based companies, and coauthor of two outstanding books on Artificial Intelligence: Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics ...

Mar 07, 2024•41 min

310 Unlearning Certainty: Leadership in an Age of Exponential Uncertainty, Mahan Tavakoli interviewed by Tim Windsor on the UNCOMMODiFiED Podcast

This episode of Partnering Leadership features Mahan Tavakoli in an interview on the Uncommodified podcast with host Tim Windsor. They explore AI's impact on leadership in an increasingly fast-changing world. Mahan and Tim have an insightful dialogue around evolving leadership approaches for exponential times driven by technological advances like AI. They discuss the pitfalls of certainty and why leaders can no longer rely on having all the answers today to be successful. Instead, they examine w...

Mar 05, 2024•35 min

309 Big Bet Leadership to Win in the Hyper Digital Era with John Rossman | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

As the pace of digital change accelerates, how should leaders guide their organizations to stay ahead of disruption? In this episode of Partnering Leadership, author John Rossman makes the case that betting big on transformation is essential, though risky. Drawing on his experience spearheading Amazon's bold expansions, Rossman argues that the coming era of "hyper-digital" will necessitate even bolder moves than we've seen. In the conversation, John Rossman lays out a playbook for leading change...

Feb 27, 2024•34 min

308 Leading with Arete: Inspiring Heroic Action in Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization with Brian Johnson |Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli interviews philosopher, CEO, and bestselling author Brian Johnson on activating your organization's heroic potential. Having spent over half his career as a founder and business leader, Brian shares powerful insights on perseverance and excellence drawn from ancient wisdom and modern science. In the conversation, Brian offers key lessons from his newest book, "Arete: Activate Your Heroic Potential," for overcoming adversity and leadin...

Feb 20, 2024•40 min

307 Challenging Your Own BS to Foster Inclusion: Getting Real About Internal Bias and Promoting Authenticity in the Workplace with Risha Grant |Partnering Leadership Global Thought

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more vital than ever for organizations today. But how can leaders move beyond good intentions to drive real impact? In this engaging episode, inclusion strategist Risha Grant, author of Be Better than Your BS: How Radical Acceptance Empowers Authenticity and Creates a Workplace Culture of Inclusion, offers paradigm-shifting insights for leaders seeking to foster authentic belonging in their teams. Drawing on over two decades of experience guiding executives, ...

Feb 13, 2024•26 min

306 The Executive Playbook for Mastering Generative AI: A Guide to Transforming Performance by Leveraging Cutting-Edge Capabilities with Jordan Wilson, Founder of Everyday AI | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

What if AI could free up bandwidth, spark creativity, and boost productivity for executives and teams? Jordan Wilson, Founder of Everyday AI and host of the Everyday AI podcast, joins Mahan Tavakoli, sharing pragmatic tips so leaders can harness cutting-edge generative AI. Jordan advises an agile, sprint-based approach to rapidly experiment rather than get stuck in opaque long-term AI projects that often trigger resistance. He recommends executives audit workflows to systematically evaluate wher...

Feb 06, 2024•29 min

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