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

365 Beyond the Hype: AI-Powered Productivity Tools for Busy Executives with Jeremy Caplan, Founder & Creator of Wonder Tools

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Jeremy Caplan, an expert in innovation and productivity and the author of "Wonder Tools," shares transformative insights into how leaders can leverage AI to amplify creativity, streamline processes, and empower their teams. As the creator of the popular "Wonder Tools" Substack and a thought leader in using AI to enhance productivity, Jeremy offers a practical and inspiring approach to integrating technology into leadership. Throughout the conversation, J...

Jan 07, 2025•51 min

364 January Refresh: Louis Rosenberg on Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, The Metaverse & AI’s Impact on The Future of Work

In this Partnering Leadership conversation, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Louis Rosenberg. Louis Rosenberg is a pioneer in virtual and augmented reality with over 300 patents; he has started multiple businesses, including Founder Immersion Corp, Founder Outland Research, and Unanimous A.I., for which he currently serves as CEO and Chief Scientist. Louis Rosenberg has focused his work on the boundary between technology and human perception, aiming to enhance human performance with technology. In the...

Jan 02, 2025•46 min

363 [BEST OF] Oscar Trimboli on How to Listen: Discovering the Hidden Key to Better Communication

Get ready for a fascinating discussion on the overlooked leadership skill of listening, featuring Oscar Trimboli, author of the book How to Listen: Discover the Hidden Key to Better Communication. Oscar Trimboli draws on decades of research and over 24,000 workplace interviews to provide science-backed insights on how leaders can become exceptional listeners. You'll discover why most of us are only hearing 14% of what people actually say and how to tap into the other 86%. Learn simple but powerf...

Dec 31, 2024•52 min

362 [BEST OF] Renee Cummings on AI Ethics, Leadership & Governance

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Renee Cummings, Data Science Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia. In the conversation, Professor Renee Cummings, a criminologist and AI ethicist discusses the importance of bringing responsible, ethical thinking to deploying AI technology. She stresses the need for due process, recognizing the various forms of bias, ethical use and transparency in deployment, and good governance and oversight. Renee Cummings als...

Dec 24, 2024•51 min

361 Authentic Leadership: Building Influence Through Storytelling and Connection with Tricia Brouk | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Tricia Brouk, an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and leadership communication strategist. Tricia is the author of The Influential Voice: Saying What You Mean for Lasting Legacy , a powerful book that explores how leaders can use their voices to connect, inspire, and leave a meaningful impact. Drawing from her background as a professional dancer, choreographer, and director, Tricia shares how her experien...

Dec 17, 2024•28 min

360 From Outputs to Outcomes: How Customer-Centric OKRs Unlock Organizational Agility with Jeff Gothelf | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this engaging episode of Partnering Leadership , Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Jeff Gothelf, a globally recognized author, speaker, and coach known for his expertise in organizational agility, product design, and customer-centricity. Jeff is the co-author of the insightful book Who Does What By How Much? A Practical Guide to Customer-Centric OKRs . Drawing on decades of experience and collaboration with leading organizations, Jeff shares practical strategies to help leaders implement Objectives...

Dec 10, 2024•37 min

359 Thursday Refresh with Futurist Daniel Burrus on Strategies to Help You and Your Organization Thrive in a Fast-Changing World by Anticipating What's Next

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, ...

Dec 05, 2024•49 min

358 Transforming Communication Challenges into Leadership Wins with Misha Glouberman | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Misha Glouberman, a celebrated expert in communication and collaboration, to explore the vital role of effective communication in leadership. Misha, author of The Chairs Are Where the People Go , draws on years of experience helping organizations improve team dynamics, resolve conflicts, and foster trust. His refreshing insights challenge traditional notions of leadership and offer a more human-centric approach to...

Dec 03, 2024•29 min

357 [Best of] Rob Sadow on Adapting to the Seismic Shift in Work: The Role of Flexibility and the Future of the Office | 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 ...

Nov 26, 2024•49 min

356 Managing Brand Crises: 8 Principles to Rebuild Trust and Resilience with Shailendra Pratap Jain & Shalini Sarin Jain | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this thought-provoking episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Shailendra Pratap Jain and Shalini Sarin Jain, co-authors of the book Managing Brand Transgressions: 8 Principles to Transform Your Brand. With decades of research and leadership experience, the Jains share compelling insights into how organizations can navigate brand crises with integrity and build resilience for the long term. The conversation dives deep into the principles that distinguish brands like Tylen...

Nov 19, 2024•39 min

355 Transforming Customer Experience for Competitive Advantage with Allen Adamson | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this compelling episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Allen Adamson, an influential thought leader in branding and marketing strategy and the author of the book Seeing the How: Transforming What People Do, Not Buy, to Gain Market Advantage. Adamson, whose experience spans working with major brands such as Unilever and Pepsi, brings a fresh perspective on how companies can differentiate themselves through customer experience innovation rather than relying solely on pr...

Nov 12, 2024•44 min

354 Thursday Refresh with Brian Johnson on Leading with Arete: Inspiring Heroic Action in Yourself, Your Team and Your Organization

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...

Nov 07, 2024•40 min

353 Confronting the Storm - Leadership, Hope, and Navigating Wicked Problems in the Age of Uncertainty with David Ross | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with David Ross, VUCA strategist and author of Confronting the Storm: Regenerating Leadership and Hope in the Age of Uncertainty. David is a renowned expert on VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) environments and has spent his career advising organizations on how to thrive amidst complexity and disruption. With a background as an ecologist, David brings a unique perspective to leadership—one that emphasizes the interco...

Nov 05, 2024•41 min

352 Agile Conversations: Transform Your Conversations, Transform Your Culture with Douglas Squirrel | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Douglas Squirrel, co-author of *Agile Conversations*, a transformative book that dives deep into the art of having productive conversations in organizations. Douglas Squirrel, a seasoned technology leader and coach, shares his journey from struggling to communicate effectively with non-technical leaders to discovering frameworks that have radically changed how teams collaborate and make decisions. His passion for helping organ...

Oct 29, 2024•45 min

351 Navigating the Great Transition - Personalization, Disintermediation, and the Future of Work with Emmanuel Daniel | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli welcomes Emmanuel Daniel, global thought leader, futurist, founder of The Asian Banker, and author of The Great Transition: The Personalization of Finance is Here. Emmanuel brings a wealth of experience from decades of engaging with top financial leaders and institutions worldwide, and his expertise shines through in this engaging conversation. With a deep understanding of how technology is reshaping the financial industry, Emma...

Oct 22, 2024•50 min

350 Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change with Tamsen Webster | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli engages in an insightful conversation with Tamsen Webster, a leading expert in strategic messaging, transformational change, and the author of Say What They Can’t Unhear: The Nine Principles of Lasting Change. Known for her innovative thinking and deep understanding of human psychology, Tamsen has spent years helping organizations and leaders communicate more effectively and drive lasting change. With her unique approach, she cuts thr...

Oct 15, 2024•54 min

349 Unlocking Team Potential: A 4-Step Framework for Leadership Success and How AI Turns Complex Ideas Into Quick, Engaging Learning—Featuring Google’s Notebook LM | Mahan Tavakoli Leadership Insight

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, explore the intersection of leadership development and cutting-edge AI as Mahan Tavakoli’s 4-Step Framework to unleash a team’s full potential comes to life in an unexpected way. Instead of a traditional discussion, Mahan uses Google’s Notebook LM to transform his framework into a dynamic conversation between two AI avatars. This engaging dialogue captures key leadership principles, demonstrating how AI can turn complex ideas into accessible, compelling ...

Oct 08, 2024•25 min

348 Thursday Refresh: Hal Elrod on Transforming Your Mornings & Your Life

Hal Elrod, the international bestselling author of The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life, which has been translated into 37 languages and has sold over 2.5 million copies, brings his unique perspectives on establishing daily practices that foster personal growth and leadership excellence based on his recently updated and expanded edition of The Miracle Morning. Drawing on personal experiences overcoming adversity, including life-threatening events, Hal ...

Oct 03, 2024•57 min

347 Decoding Spinouts: How Entrepreneurial Employees Leverage Corporate Experience for Startup Advantage with Andre Laplume | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, host Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Andre Laplume, co-author of Spinout Ventures: Transitioning from Employees to Entrepreneurs. Andre Laplume shares his research and perspectives on the dynamic world of spinouts—those entrepreneurial ventures born out of larger organizations when employees break away to pursue ideas that don’t quite fit within the corporate mold. From his own journey as a management consultant and professor to his experiences i...

Oct 01, 2024•21 min

346 The Innovative Leader: Step-By-Step Lessons from Top Innovators For You and Your Organization with Stephen Wunker | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Stephen Wunker, the renowned author of The Innovative Leader: Step-By-Step Lessons from Top Innovators For You and Your Organization. Drawing from his extensive experience in innovation consulting and his collaboration with thought leaders like Clay Christensen, Steve shares practical insights on how organizations can cultivate a culture of innovation, build frameworks that suppo...

Sep 24, 2024•32 min

345 The Science of Unlearning Bias: Tools for Personal and Organizational Change with Anu Gupta | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this insightful episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Anu Gupta, a lawyer, social scientist, and author of the groundbreaking book, Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them. Anu shares his deeply personal journey from growing up in India to navigating bias and discrimination as an immigrant in the U.S., revealing how these experiences shaped his understanding of bias and motivated him to write his book. His ...

Sep 17, 2024•37 min

344 Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams with Jan Rutherford | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli engages in a dynamic conversation with Jan Rutherford, a seasoned leadership expert and author of Becoming a Self-Reliant Leader: How Grit and Disciplined Duty Forge Indomitable Teams. With a rich background that includes serving as a Green Beret, leading Crucible expeditions, and coaching executives, Jan brings a unique perspective on leadership that combines military rigor with a deep understanding of human behavior. Jan shares comp...

Sep 10, 2024•29 min

343 Thursday Refresh: Carmine Gallo on Communication Secrets That Move Audiences & Persuade

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Carmine Gallo. Carmine Gallo is a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His books include Talk Like TED , The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs , The Storyteller's Secret , Five Stars , and his latest, The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World's Greatest Salesman. In the conversation, Carmine Gallo shared why many leaders struggle with telling their stories and why his latest research involved lookin...

Sep 05, 2024•55 min

342 Resilience and Brilliance: Unleashing Leadership Potential and Lessons from Disney with Simon T. Bailey | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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...

Sep 03, 2024•33 min

341 [Best of] Park Howell on Powerful Storytelling and Communication Through the ABT Framework | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Park Howell, host of Business of Story Podcast, author of Brand Bewitchery , and co-author of The Narrative Gym for Business . Park Howell teaches one of the most powerful tools in storytelling: the And, But, and Therefore (ABT), going through the science behind it and how you can start crafting great stories and communicate more powerfully through the use of this framework. He also shares examples of ABT in history and pop cul...

Aug 27, 2024•50 min

340 [Best of] Eduardo Briceno on The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

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...

Aug 20, 2024•51 min

339 [Best of] Emily Field on Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

Middle managers often get a bad rap, seen as roadblocks to change and innovation. But Emily Field flips this narrative on its head. As a McKinsey partner, Emily saw firsthand how empowering middle managers unlocks an organization’s potential. In this insightful interview, Emily Field, McKinsey & Company partner and coauthor of Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work, debunks the middle manager myth. Hear why managers, not senior execs, hold the keys to the futur...

Aug 13, 2024•43 min

338 [Best of] Jacob Morgan on Why Vulnerability Matters in Leadership and How to Do it Well | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

Get ready to climb the mountain of vulnerability in leadership. In this engaging discussion with Jacob Morgan, author of Leading with Vulnerability: Unlock Your Greatest Superpower to Transform Yourself, Your Team, and Your Organization, you’ll learn why vulnerability plus leadership can transform organizations. In the conversation, Jacob Morgan shares his personal journey of grappling with vulnerability, from a childhood with a “tough guy” father to panic attacks while writing this transformati...

Aug 06, 2024•53 min

337 Thursday Refresh Garry Ridge, Former CEO & Chairman of WD-40 on Unlocking Growth through Purpose-Driven Leadership and a Culture of Engagement | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman of WD-40. In the conversation, Garry Ridge shared his origin story and how a quote from the Dalai Lama helped him focus on organizational purpose. Next, Garry explained his why and the how behind making WD-40 an organization where people can contribute, learn something new, and ultimately go home happy. Then, Garry Ridge shared the leadership wisdom he has gained from Ken Blanchard and Marsh...

Aug 01, 2024•44 min

336 Mastering Your Inner Voice and Overcoming the Crab Mentality with Hooman Motevalli | Partnering Leadership Global Thought Leader

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Hooman Motevalli, the author of, Don’t Be a Crab: A Practical Guide to Building Strong Joyful Relationships. Motevalli’s journey from the tumultuous backdrop of revolution and war in Iran to becoming a transformative thinker in leadership and personal development is nothing short of inspiring. His unique insights into internal dialogue, mindset, and the metaphorical 'crab bucket' mentality o...

Jul 30, 2024•16 min

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