Episodios

  • S4 Ep11: The Power of Polarity Thinking: How Great Leaders Leverage Opposites

    S4 Ep11: The Power of Polarity Thinking: How Great Leaders Leverage Opposites
    Jul 22 2025
    Guest: Dr. Barry Johnson If you think you have to solve problems, think again. You might be better off leveraging tensions instead! Dr. Barry Johnson, creator of the Polarity Map®, joins host Maureen Metcalf to explore how “both/and” thinking helps leaders navigate complexity, avoid false choices, and drive sustainable performance. From clarity and flexibility to structure and innovation, Barry shares how thriving organizations—and societies—balance competing values rather than pick sides. It’s called polarity thinking…and it works. Packed with stories from the U.S. Navy, Singapore Airlines, and South Africa, this conversation offers a powerful framework for leading in uncertain times. Here's what Barry and Maureen cover: Why choosing a side or over-focusing on one side of an issue can lead to conflict, instead of solving it – and, in extreme cases, break down your organization;How high-performing organizations depend on well-managed tension; andSpotting the false choices that will keep your team stuck. Produced in partnership with the International Leadership Association: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Leadership Balancing Act with Michelle Harrison - A Prime Minister’s Path for Meeting Challenges with George Papandreou - Navigating Touch Decisions with former Canadian Chief Justic Beverley McLachlin For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES: The website to learn more about Barry’s work is https://www.polaritypartnerships.com/. Barry’s books include And: Making a Difference by Leveraging Polarities, Paradox or Dilemma (on Amazon at https://amzn.to/45gnfO0 ) and Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems (https://amzn.to/3IyjqLx ). Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. NOTE: As an Amazon partner, we may make a small commission from books you buy through these links. ----------------------- OUR PODCAST TEAM: Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik CONNECT WITH US: YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com Loved this episode? Subscribe, like, and leave us a review and rating! ----------------------- About Our Guest: Barry Johnson created the first Polarity Map® and set of principles in 1975. Since then he has been learning and applying Polarity Thinking® with people and organizations all over the world. He continues to explore and promote supplementing Or-thinking with And-thinking to enhance our quality of life on our planet. With humility And pride, Barry is passionate about creating an international community of Polarity Practitioners who are dedicated to the study and application of Polarities in a variety of disciplines and situations. Barry’s newest publications, And: Volume One – Foundations and And: Volume Two – Applications, represent what he and his colleagues have learned about And-thinking since his first book, Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems, came out in 1992. Barry is an avid outdoorsman and intrepid traveler. He brings his head and heart together in his teaching and consulting. Barry and his wife, Dana, have five children and eleven grandchildren.
    Más Menos
    35 m
  • S11 Ep16: AI at Work: The Human Side of Tech Transformation

    S11 Ep16: AI at Work: The Human Side of Tech Transformation
    Jul 15 2025

    Guest: Neil Sahota, United Nations AI Advisor

    From internal sabotage and mistrust to ethical blind spots and cultural misalignment, this conversation dives deep into the real reasons AI transformations succeed or stall…and the solutions you need to make AI work in your company. You’ll also hear powerful examples of machine-human collaboration, the rise of AI bosses, and why trust is now a core leadership metric.

    Here's what Neil and Maureen cover:

    • The #1 reason AI rollouts fail – and how you can avoid it;
    • How to assess your organization’s readiness for AI; and
    • Practical strategies to build buy-in, trust, and adaptability.

    Neil’s other binge-worthy episodes about AI are:

    - The 10 Leadership Skills You Need to Safely Adopt AI

    - Unleashing the Power of Human-AI Collaboration

    - How to Own the AI Revolution

    - And, of course, the first part of this interview: Why AI at Work Fails

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    Neil’s book, Own the AI Revolution, is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4kx4af3, and on Audible at https://amzn.to/4lgS0rK.

    Learn more about Neil on his website at https://www.neilsahota.com/. He shares his latest observations on AI in the workplace on his Substack channel at neilsahota@substack.com.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    The book Maureen and Neil referenced which they wrote together is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisor, author of the best-seller Own the AI Revolution and sought-after speaker. With 20+ years of business experience, he works to inspire clients and business partners to foster innovation and develop next generation products/solutions powered by AI.
    Más Menos
    40 m
  • S11-Ep15: -Why AI at Work Fails – And What the UN’s AI for Good Advisor Says You Can Do Differently

    S11-Ep15: -Why AI at Work Fails – And What the UN’s AI for Good Advisor Says You Can Do Differently
    Jul 8 2025

    Guest: Neil Sahota, United Nations AI Advisor

    Most AI failures aren’t caused by bad code. They’re caused by bad leadership.

    In this episode, host Maureen Metcalf talks with UN AI advisor and IBM Master Inventor Neil Sahota to uncover the 5 fatal mistakes most organizations make when adopting AI. From the myth that AI is "just software" to the risk of automating bad processes, Neil explains why 4 out of 5 failures are human and leadership-based, not technical. Learn how treating AI like a high-energy intern, not a black box, transforms your success rate. This episode is a must for leaders looking to build effective, ethical, and future-ready AI strategies.

    Here's what Neil and Maureen cover:

    • The real business pain points when adopting AI apps at your company;
    • How bias and hallucinations sneak into AI when you rely on your tech team over your subject matter experts; and
    • Why AI amplifies your mistakes as well as your strengths.

    Neil’s other binge-worthy episodes about AI are:

    - The 10 Leadership Skills You Need to Safely Adopt AI

    - Unleashing the Power of Human-AI Collaboration

    - How to Own the AI Revolution

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    Neil’s book, Own the AI Revolution, is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4kx4af3, and on Audible at https://amzn.to/4lgS0rK.

    Learn more about Neil on his website at https://www.neilsahota.com/. He shares his latest observations on AI in the workplace on his Substack channel at neilsahota@substack.com.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    The book Maureen and Neil referenced which they wrote together is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Neil Sahota (萨冠军) is an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations (UN) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advisor, author of the best-seller Own the AI Revolution and sought-after speaker. With 20+ years of business experience, he works to inspire clients and business partners to foster innovation and develop next generation products/solutions powered by AI.
    Más Menos
    38 m
  • S4-Ep10: Leadership in Crisis: Why Leaders Fail (& How to Help)

    S4-Ep10: Leadership in Crisis: Why Leaders Fail (& How to Help)
    Jul 1 2025

    Guest: Sebastian Salicru, Psychologist & Author

    Are we training leaders for a world that no longer exists?

    Leadership expert and psychologist Sebastian Salicru joins host Maureen Metcalf to tackle one of today’s most pressing challenges: the failure of traditional leadership in a world defined by complexity and change. More importantly, they explore what today’s leaders actually need to succeed in a high-velocity world.

    Here's what Sebastian and Maureen cover:

    1. The breakdown and downfall of the heroic leader;
    2. Why the billions of dollars spent on leadership development aren’t delivering results;
    3. The very real yet positive role of failure and suffering in building great leaders; and
    4. Why we must challenge the outdated mental models holding leadership back.

    Other episodes you'll enjoy:

    - Tales from the Top: How Leaders Use Stories with Dr. Tanvi Gautam

    - The Rise of Humanness with Chris Nolan & Michael Schindler

    - Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    Sebastian has a website filled with information on his leadership work at https://ptspsychology.com/.

    His book, Leadership Results, is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/4nulK66.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter ever y week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Instagram: @innovativeleader

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Sebastian Salicru has been a registered psychologist for over 25 years, and has professional experience in both clinical and corporate settings. Sebastian empowers his clients to: make better (and often previously unimaginable) decisions and choices about their personal and/or professional lives; set ambitious goals; take positive and bold action; change the status quo; achieve real outcomes and long-lasting results; enjoy intimate relationships, and live meaningful lives.

    In addition to English, Sebastian speaks French, Italian and Spanish.

    In addition to being a registered psychologist, Sebastian is: a board-approved supervisor by the Psychology Board of Australia; a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) of the International Coach Federation (ICF); a graduate from the ‘Art & Practice of Leadership Development’, Harvard University Kennedy School; a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School; and author of multiple publications.
    Más Menos
    19 m
  • S11-Ep14: How Great Leaders Are Made: Insights from The Economist’s "Boss Class"

    S11-Ep14: How Great Leaders Are Made: Insights from The Economist’s "Boss Class"
    Jun 24 2025

    Guest: Andrew Palmer, The Economist columnist & Boss Class host

    What makes a great boss, and why do so many managers get it wrong? The Economist columnist and Boss Class host Andrew Palmer joins Maureen Metcalf to break down what actually works in leadership today. From radical autonomy at Supercell to intentional culture-building at Toyota, this episode explores real-world strategies for creating high-performance teams and organizations.

    Learn how qualities like self-awareness, transparency, and systems-thinking separate mediocre managers from truly effective leaders. Whether you’re new to management or shaping culture as a CEO, these stories and insights will elevate your leadership practice.

    Here's what Andrew and Maureen cover:

    • Why most managers never receive formal training (and what to do about it);
    • How exceptional leaders optimize their impact; and
    • Radical autonomy and other ways Supercell, Stryker, Toyota, Novo Nordisk, and others create the world’s top workplaces.

    Other episodes you'll enjoy:

    - From Ego to Impact with New Rhein’s Subhanu Saxena

    - The White House Lessons for Every Leader with Presidential Advisor Betsy Myers

    - Hilton’s Pillars for Thriving After Disaster with Hampton Inns & Spark SVP Shruti Gandhi Buckley

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    You can find Andrew’s Boss Class (and other podcasts from The Economist) at http://bit.ly/3HR1ATy.

    Andrew’s Bartleby column is online at https://www.economist.com/topics/bartleby.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Instagram: @innovativeleader

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Andrew Palmer writes the Bartleby column on the workplace, and is the host of “Boss Class”, our limited-season podcast on management. He was formerly Britain editor, executive editor, business-affairs editor, head of the data team, Americas editor, finance editor and banking correspondent, having joined The Economist as management correspondent in February 2007.
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • S2-Ep53: Leading through Difference: Key Skills from the ILA Board Chair

    S2-Ep53: Leading through Difference: Key Skills from the ILA Board Chair
    Jun 17 2025

    Guest: Mike Hardy, ILA Board Chair

    The real leadership crisis isn’t about performance. It’s about how we handle differences.

    In this powerful episode, Professor Mike Hardy, Founding Director of the Centre for Peace & Security, joins host Maureen Metcalf to explore the defining leadership challenge of our time: Pluralism vs. Prejudice.

    It’s critical: even if your organization only operates in one city, odds are your team will have people from different generations, family cultures, and hometowns…much less religions and ethnicities. Bonding them all into one cohesive team is essential.

    Mike makes a compelling case that the future of leadership depends on moving beyond identity to behavior-based inclusion, and calls leaders to rethink how they respond to difference.

    Here's what Mike and Maureen cover:

    1. How a leader’s behavior, not identity, builds real trust;
    2. The dance between pluralism and prejudice in today’s workplace; and
    3. Why inclusion often fails…and what makes it work.

    Produced in partnership with the International Leadership Association: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/.

    Enjoy a hearty Hardy binge with these other episodes featuring Mike:

    - The Accidental Peacemaker with Mike’s friend Steve Killelea

    - 11 Steps to Help You Heal Divides

    - Peace through Better Leaders

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    Mike’s Centre for Peace & Security is online at https://bit.ly/CentreForPeace.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Mike Hardy is the founding director of the Centre for Peace & Security at Coventry University. The Centre is a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and experts whose work draws together issues such as conflict resolution and reconciliation, social identity, inequality and mobility, wealth and poverty, integration and pluralism, prejudice and discrimination, intergroup conflict and cooperation, the problem of civil rights and the politics of equality. Mike has been twice honoured, awarded the OBE in 2001 for his peace-building work in the Middle East, and appointed a Companion of Honour of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, June 2010, for his work internationally in Intercultural Dialogue. Mike is a trustee of 3FF, the leading interfaith charity in the UK, and board chair of the US-based International Leadership Association.
    Más Menos
    33 m
  • S11-Ep13: From Tariffs to Tempests: DHL’s COO on Strengthening Your Supply Chain

    S11-Ep13: From Tariffs to Tempests: DHL’s COO on Strengthening Your Supply Chain
    Jun 10 2025

    Guest: Mike McLellan, COO, DHL Supply Chain (North America)

    What does it take to keep your business humming through tariffs, tornadoes, and all the other disruptions in today’s world?

    Mike McLellan of DHL shares insights on building resilience, both in your leadership and your supply chains, the importance of redundancy, and how DHL provides an example of supporting clients in navigating challenges. The discussion also touches on the evolving roles of senior leadership, driving cultural excellence within the organization, and the transformative power of strategic planning.

    Here's what Mike and Maureen cover:

    • The current and emerging impacts of the U.S. tariff war;
    • The major danger of having a single-thread supply chain; and
    • The strengths of culture-driven leadership and executive humility.

    Other episodes you'll enjoy:

    - Disruption No More: Future-Proofing Your Business with Mike McLellan

    - Unraveling Uncertainty: The Real Job of Modern Leaders with Michael Marks

    - Leading with Care & Purpose with Sudhanshu Palsule and Raj Sisodia

    For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

    RESOURCES:

    You can learn more about DHL Supply Chain at https://bit.ly/DHLpreps. To contact Mike directly, email him at michael.mclellan@dhl.com.

    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.

    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

    Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.

    -----------------------

    OUR PODCAST TEAM:

    Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

    Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

    Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

    Booking Producer: Jenna Reik

    Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

    CONNECT WITH US:

    YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2

    Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com

    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!

    -----------------------

    About Our Guest:

    Mike McLellan is the Chief Operating Officer for DHL Supply Chain (NORAM).
    Más Menos
    32 m
  • S2-Ep52b: How Purpose-Driven Women Redefine What It Means to Lead

    S2-Ep52b: How Purpose-Driven Women Redefine What It Means to Lead
    Jun 3 2025
    Guest: Dr. Karen Longman, Professor Emerita, Azusa Pacific University Why do so many capable, driven women still get overlooked for top leadership roles—and what can we do about it? In this powerful episode, host Maureen Metcalf sits down with Dr. Karen Longman, a global scholar on leadership and gender equity, to unpack the deep-rooted biases that shape how we define (and reward) leadership. There are clear differences in how men and women lead: men tend to lead for power and hierarchy, while women tend to be purpose-driven. With insights from cutting-edge research, real-world data, and a global lens, this conversation challenges assumptions and provides actionable steps for anyone on a leadership journey, especially those ready to build a more inclusive, performance-driven future. Here's what Karen and Maureen cover: The internal and external barriers women still face on their career path;What research says about how women lead differently, and why it matters; andWhat companies can do to unlock this untapped leadership potential. Produced in conjunction with the International Leadership Association: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/. Other episodes you'll enjoy: Lessons on Growing Women Leaders with Dr. Susan MadsenThe Leadership Balancing Act: A Woman CEO on Work, Life, & Leading Inclusively with Michelle HarrisonWE Empower – The Women Winning the SDG Goals Challenge with Hadeel Anabtawi & Habiba Ali with Amanda Ellise For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too! RESOURCES: Karen’s books in the women in leadership series include: Women and Leadership in Higher Education (available at https://amzn.to/4dQ9fxu)Women and Leadership Around the World (https://amzn.to/4mKC02w) The book on women’s opportunities worldwide is Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Sheryl WuDunn & Nicholas Kristoff. It’s on Amazon at https://amzn.to/45oreJd. Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. ----------------------- OUR PODCAST TEAM: Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik CONNECT WITH US: YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating! ----------------------- About Our Guest: Karen A. Longman, PhD, joined the Azusa Pacific University faculty in 2006. Prior to coming to APU, Longman served for six years as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Greenville College (IL) and for 19 years as Vice President for Professional Development and Research at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, based in Washington, D.C. She continues to serve as a Senior Fellow with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities and has coordinated Leadership Development Institutes for emerging leaders within the CCCU since 1998. She served as an editorial board member and reviewer for Research on Christian Higher Education and has been a Staley Distinguished Lecturer at numerous colleges and universities.
    Más Menos
    16 m