In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli sits down with Eric Termuende, leadership thinker, speaker, and author of Rethink Work: Finding & Keeping the Right Talent, for a grounded conversation about what actually holds teams together in times of uncertainty.

Rather than focusing on trends or surface-level engagement tactics, the discussion explores why trust, clarity, and human connection remain the real differentiators for leaders trying to reduce friction and sustain performance. Eric shares practical insights drawn from his work with organizations that have stopped chasing big transformation initiatives and instead focus on small, consistent shifts that compound over time.

Mahan and Eric examine why many leadership teams feel overwhelmed despite good intentions, and how blind spots, inaction, and excessive control quietly erode trust. The conversation challenges the idea that certainty is required to lead well, replacing it with a more realistic and resilient approach rooted in direction, psychological safety, and shared responsibility.

The episode also looks at what makes teams “unwavering” when the environment around them is anything but stable. Through concrete examples and memorable stories, Eric illustrates how leaders can build trust that lasts, reduce unnecessary friction, and create conditions where people contribute their best thinking.

This conversation is especially relevant for CEOs and senior executives who sense that the way work gets done needs to change, but who want practical leadership insight rather than abstract theory.

Actionable Takeaways

• You’ll learn why organizations don’t suffer from survey fatigue as much as something far more damaging.
• Hear how small, intentional “one-degree shifts” outperform large transformation efforts over time.
• Discover what actually makes teams steady during turbulence, and why trust acts as the stabilizer.
• Learn why leaders often create friction without realizing it, especially through control and approvals.
• Hear a real example of how daily, employee-driven improvement can reshape culture and results.
• Understand why clarity of direction matters more than certainty in today’s leadership environment.
• Learn how shared language and experiences quietly strengthen connection and execution.
• Explore how trust in human judgment remains essential even as AI tools become part of everyday work.
• Hear why relationships, not systems, ultimately determine whether teams adapt or stall.

Connect with Eric Termuende

Eric Termuende Website

Eric Termuende LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Les Csorba — senior partner at Heidrick & Struggles and author of Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly. Drawing on decades advising CEOs, boards, and leadership teams, Les makes a compelling case that self-awareness is not a soft skill but a strategic differentiator. With leaders facing complexity, speed, and pressure unlike anything in recent memory, Les argues that the ability to see yourself clearly has become a true competitive edge.

Throughout the conversation, Les breaks down why so many successful leaders overestimate their self-awareness — and why that gap grows as they ascend into larger roles. He draws from extensive leadership assessments, behavioral research, and personal experience to show how blind spots quietly shape decisions, team dynamics, and organizational culture. His insights on the “CEO bubble,” the tension between intent and impact, and the way digital validation dulls reflection will resonate with any executive navigating today’s environment.

The discussion also explores practical ways leaders can strengthen their self-awareness without resorting to vague platitudes or one-time exercises. Les shares stories from his own leadership journey, examples from well-known CEOs, and a grounded perspective on how to build cultures that make honest feedback possible. His framing of courage, humility, and reflection feels less like theory and more like leadership discipline.

Finally, the conversation touches on timely challenges — from AI’s influence on leader behavior to the importance of understanding one’s “shadow” as a driver of organizational culture. Les brings a balanced, seasoned voice to these issues, offering clarity without overconfidence. For CEOs and senior executives committed to leading with greater impact, this episode offers a set of insights that are as practical as they are thought-provoking.

• You’ll learn why most leaders dramatically overestimate their self-awareness and why the gap between perception and reality grows as responsibilities increase.
• Hear how to distinguish between internal awareness and external awareness, and why the difference between intent and impact is where many leadership breakdowns occur.
• You’ll hear why honest feedback rarely reaches the top, and what the best CEOs do to counteract the “bubble” that forms around them.
• Discover how small habits — reflection, solitude, and the “to-be list” — can sharpen judgment and strengthen leadership presence.
• Hear how blind spots form and why naming them isn’t enough, and why building a “courage muscle” is essential for behavior change.
• You’ll learn what leading researchers and leadership assessments reveal about the traits that help executives mobilize, execute, transform, and stay agile.
• Hear how top leaders like Jamie Dimon, Warren Buffett, and Elon Musk approach their own blind spots — and what that means for every executive who wants to keep growing.
• Discover why AI makes self-awareness more important, not less, and how understanding your wiring becomes a safeguard against unintended influence.

Les Csorba Website

Les Csorba LinkedIn

Aware: The Power of Seeing Yourself Clearly

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli speaks with Dr. Bernard Harris, a leader whose extraordinary career trajectory—from physician to NASA astronaut to CEO and venture capitalist—offers rare insights into the inner work of leadership. Dr. Harris is the first African American to walk in space, and the author of Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go of Fear to Find Your Highest Potential. His unique vantage point, shaped by science, space exploration, and C-suite leadership, gives him an extraordinary lens on what really limits potential—not just for individuals, but for teams and entire organizations.

This is not a conversation about space missions. It's a candid exploration of the hidden forces that hold even the most accomplished leaders back. Dr. Harris shares how fear, false identity, and overachievement can become barriers disguised as success—and how leaders can finally begin to let go. With disarming honesty, he recounts how constant validation once drove his every move, and how shedding that need was key to unlocking deeper effectiveness and personal alignment.

What makes this episode essential for executive listeners is not just the personal story—it’s the direct application to business and leadership contexts. Dr. Harris talks about leading teams under pressure, confronting blind spots in senior leadership, and what it really takes to receive feedback at the top. His reflections offer a masterclass in self-awareness and intentional leadership, especially for those navigating high-stakes roles where perception often replaces truth.

Whether you're leading a company, serving on a board, or mentoring the next generation of executives, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define success, strength, and growth. The conversation isn't about doing more—it’s about uncovering what’s driving your decisions, and whether it’s truly aligned with your values and long-term vision.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You’ll learn how Dr. Harris overcame fear—not through toughness, but by reframing what failure really means for leaders.
  
  
  
• Hear how overachievement can be a trap, even when it’s applauded—especially for those in senior roles.
  
  
  
• Discover why most CEOs stop getting meaningful feedback—and what to do to get the truth back on the table.
  
  
  
• Explore the performance identity leaders develop—and how it can silently limit their ability to lead authentically.
  
  
  
• Find out what happened when Dr. Harris was told by his team: “You’re a micromanager”—and what he did next.
  
  
  
• Learn why self-awareness is a strategic advantage, not just a personal virtue.
  
  
  
• Hear Dr. Harris describe how he applies the same mindset that got him into space to running businesses and investing.
  
  
  
• Explore how internal versus external drivers shape leadership clarity—and how to regain control of your narrative.
  
  
  
• Understand how success, when unchecked, can become an armor that distances leaders from their teams.

Connect with Dr. Bernard Harris

Bernard Harris LinkedIn

Embracing Infinite Possiblities

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

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 interconnectedness of the issues facing businesses and society today. His deep understanding of wicked problems, those challenges with no straightforward solutions, forms the backbone of this engaging conversation.

The discussion centers around how leaders must adapt to the rapidly changing business landscape, where traditional approaches no longer work. David argues that the old leadership models—based on control and linear thinking—are ill-suited for the challenges we face today. Instead, he advocates for a more collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and resilient leadership style, one that embraces uncertainty rather than fighting it. He explains how technology, climate change, and societal shifts are creating a world that’s more BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible), and what leaders need to do to stay ahead.

Throughout the episode, David draws on his extensive experience advising CEOs and leadership teams, offering practical insights into how organizations can navigate the unpredictability of today’s environment. He also delves into the importance of hope and optimism, even in times of crisis, and how leaders can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn why traditional leadership models based on control and linear thinking are no longer effective in today's VUCA world—and what you need to replace them with.
• Hear how embracing uncertainty and fostering resilience can transform how your organization responds to crises and wicked problems.
• Discover the power of emotional intelligence in leadership and why listening is just as important as speaking in today’s collaborative environments.
• Find out what David means by a BANI world (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible) and how leaders can adapt to thrive in these unpredictable times.
• Explore the importance of hope and optimism in leadership and how turning crises into opportunities is key to long-term success.
• Understand why future literacy and foresight are critical tools for leaders looking to anticipate change and guide their organizations through complexity.
• Learn why David believes that normalcy has left the building and how leaders must evolve to lead effectively in this new reality.
• Hear David's insights on why collaboration—not isolation—is the future of leadership and how diverse perspectives fuel innovation.
• Gain insight into why scenario planning is a powerful tool for leaders to prepare for multiple futures and make better strategic decisions.

Connect with David Ross

David Ross Website

Confronting the Storm: Regenerating Leadership and Hope in the Age of Uncertainty

David Ross LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this compelling episode of the Partnering Leadership podcast, Mark Schaefer returns to share fresh, provocative insights from his latest book, Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World. A globally respected marketing strategist, bestselling author, and deep observer of technological change, Schaefer brings sharp clarity to a pressing leadership question: what does it take to stay relevant when artificial intelligence makes intelligence itself abundant?

Rather than offering a simplistic take on AI, Schaefer challenges leaders to confront a more nuanced truth: AI doesn’t just change how we work—it redefines where we create value. In a world where intelligence is cheap and accessible to everyone, he argues, leaders must shift their organizations from knowledge accumulation to human differentiation.

The conversation dives into what “out-humaning” AI actually looks like. From designing moments of awe to fostering fearless creativity, Schaefer offers examples and frameworks that push beyond theory. He connects storytelling, community-building, and emotional resonance not just as marketing strategies—but as core leadership capabilities that machines can’t replicate.

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, board members, and senior executives grappling with the implications of AI. It’s not about resisting the future—it’s about recognizing what only humans can do, and leading teams to do it with more clarity, urgency, and creativity than ever before.

Actionable Takeaways

• You'll learn why intelligence is no longer a competitive advantage—and what replaces it at the leadership level.
  
  
  
• Hear how to reframe your organizational structure and decision-making in a world where AI handles most of the “smart work.”
  
  
  
• Discover what Mark Schaefer means by “out-humaning AI” and why that’s now your most important leadership mandate.
  
  
  
• You'll learn why competence is no longer enough—and how leaders who rely on it alone risk irrelevance.
  
  
  
• Hear how to use awe, authenticity, and community as strategic tools to build trust and emotional engagement that AI can’t touch.
  
  
  
• You'll learn how to think about brand relevance and personal credibility when your audience knows AI could have written your content.
  
  
  
• Hear how to identify and overcome the fear that’s keeping your organization stuck in mediocrity.
  
  
  
• You'll learn what makes bold storytelling and immersive experience design the next frontier in business leadership.
  
  
• Hear how to embrace AI as a creative partner without outsourcing your strategic soul.
  
  

Connect with Mark Schaefer :

• Website: Businesses Grow
• Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Mahan Tavakoli is joined by Alan Gregerman, innovation advisor and author of The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World. Gregerman has spent his career helping organizations rethink what expertise is, how innovation really happens, and why the answers leaders rely on can quietly become their biggest obstacles.

Alan’s core argument is simple but uncomfortable: what leaders don’t know matters more than what they do know. In a world defined by rapid change, shifting customer expectations, and new competitors emerging from outside traditional industry boundaries, Gregerman makes the case that uncertainty isn’t a threat to manage—it’s an advantage to use. Leaders who cling to knowledge, certainty, and past success miss the breakthroughs that come from curiosity, humility, and fresh eyes.

Throughout the conversation, Alan shows how relying on expertise alone limits an organization’s ability to see new possibilities. He highlights why new employees, outsiders, and even strangers to the industry often spot the best opportunities, and he shares a practical onboarding practice for tapping into those insights before they disappear. His message: innovation doesn’t come from doubling down on what you already know; it comes from intentionally opening the boundaries of where ideas can come from.

The episode also explores why most industries are disrupted by people who have no history in them, the discipline required to stay relevant, and the role of small experiments in uncovering what customers actually value. Alan connects all of this to the rise of AI, arguing that if the work is rooted in routine knowledge, machines will do it faster—and leaders must elevate imagination, sensemaking, and dot-connecting to stay ahead.

For CEOs and senior executives looking to build organizations that remain adaptable, curious, and competitive, this conversation offers a sharp, practical lens on what real innovation leadership looks like today.

Actionable Takeaways

• You’ll learn why Alan believes not knowing can be a strategic advantage—and how leaders can use uncertainty to fuel innovation.

• You’ll hear how new employees reveal blind spots organizations no longer notice, and a simple onboarding practice that turns their insights into value.

• You’ll learn why most disruption comes from outsiders—and what that means for your planning, competitive scanning, and leadership mindset.

• You’ll hear how small, fast experiments outperform polished plans, especially when customer needs shift faster than internal decision cycles.

• You’ll learn how to widen your sources of insight by looking beyond your industry—and why this practice separates resilient organizations from stuck ones.

• You’ll hear how to hire for perspective, not just expertise, and build teams capable of seeing opportunities others overlook.

• You’ll learn why AI elevates the importance of imagination, creativity, and sensemaking—and what kinds of work will remain uniquely human.

• You’ll hear how humility shifts a leader’s impact, creating space for ideas that wouldn’t emerge if the team assumed the leader already knows the answer.

Connect with Alan Gregerman

Alan Gregerman Website
Alan Gregerman LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

In this episode of Partnering Leadership, Selena Rezvani invites leaders to rethink some of the most deeply ingrained assumptions about modern management. Drawing from her new book Quick Leadership and years of work with top-performing organizations, Selena challenges CEOs and senior leaders to examine the hidden forces shaping their teams’ behavior—especially the unspoken power dynamics that still drive command-and-control cultures even when leaders insist they’ve moved past them. Her insights land squarely in the real world: where expectations are rising, trust is fragile, and employees—especially Gen Z—expect to be led very differently than generations before them.

Selena begins with a powerful personal story that shaped her mission: reducing unnecessary suffering at work. From there, she unpacks how overwork culture became a badge of honor in many organizations, and why leaders who continue to glorify exhaustion will struggle to build sustainable, innovative teams. More importantly, she explains what leaders can celebrate instead—and how to shift the “hero stories” that quietly define organizational norms.

A major throughline in the conversation is psychological safety, but not in abstract terms. Selena offers practical, high-signal markers leaders can use to assess whether their teams truly feel safe speaking up: signs in the spoken, unspoken, and silent moments of meetings. She also challenges leaders to examine how they may unintentionally shut down dissent, even while believing they are approachable and open.

The episode also dives into modern leadership skill sets—filtering urgency rather than amplifying it, protecting teams from noise, resisting meeting overload, and embracing “selective excellence” instead of perfectionism. Selena offers pragmatic tools leaders can use immediately, from rethinking meeting dynamics to redesigning feedback routines that are informal, frequent, and genuinely useful.

The conversation closes with one of the most important themes for today’s executive teams: the disproportionate impact managers have on employees’ mental health. Selena brings data and perspective that will push leaders to rethink their weekly rhythms, their one-on-one structures, and their responsibility to the people they lead.

Actionable Takeaways

• You’ll learn why today’s “hero stories” inside organizations matter—and how changing them shifts what people believe earns respect, promotion, and recognition.
  
  
  
• Hear how Gen Z’s participatory mindset is reshaping expectations for leadership, communication, and power-sharing inside modern teams.
  
  
  
• You’ll understand the subtle power dynamics leaders often overlook—and the specific behaviors that signal whether dissent is truly welcome.
  
  
  
• Hear Selena explain how to spot the real indicators of psychological safety in meetings, including what to look for in silence, hesitation, or discomfort.
  
  
  
• You’ll learn practical ways leaders can counter urgency culture by acting as a “filter,” not an amplifier, and why this dramatically improves team performance.
  
  
  
• Hear how to rethink meetings using a simple question: “Is this worth pulling people away from their strategic work?”—and what great leaders do in the first five minutes to change the tone.
  
  
  
• You’ll learn why “selective excellence” is a competitive advantage for leaders—and how to decide what deserves your very best and what doesn’t.
  
  
  
• Hear Selena describe how to build a feedback culture

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

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 effectively.

Andrea highlights the critical role storytelling plays in leadership and organizational success. She explains how stories, unlike mere data, engage multiple parts of the brain, making messages more memorable and impactful. Leaders are often trained to prioritize facts and figures, but Andrea argues that integrating storytelling into their communication strategies can significantly enhance their influence and connection with their audience.

Throughout the conversation, Andrea underscores the importance of starting with a clear strategic message before crafting the narrative. She shares practical insights on how leaders can identify and refine their core messages, ensuring that their stories are not only engaging but also aligned with their organizational goals. By drawing on examples from iconic brands like Apple and Disney, Andrea illustrates how a singular focus can drive brand consistency and loyalty.

Moreover, Andrea addresses the challenge of vulnerability in leadership. She advocates for sharing stories from a place of scars rather than wounds, enabling leaders to convey authenticity and empathy without retraumatizing themselves or their audience.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Discover the Brain Science Behind Storytelling: Understand why humans are neurologically hardwired to respond to stories and how this can be leveraged in leadership.
• Engage Multiple Parts of the Brain: Learn how integrating sensory details into your narratives can make your messages more memorable.
• Start with a Strategic Message: Hear why it's crucial to begin with a clear idea before crafting your story to ensure alignment with your goals.
• Embrace Vulnerability: Find out how sharing stories from a place of scars rather than wounds can enhance authenticity and connection.
• Consistency is Key: Learn from iconic brands like Apple and Disney on the importance of maintaining a singular focus in your storytelling.
• The Role of Community in Thought Leadership: Understand the importance of building a supportive community to amplify your personal brand and core message.
• Overcome Storytelling Fears: Hear how leaders can overcome the fear of storytelling by refining their skills and embracing their unique experiences.
• Practical Storytelling Techniques: Discover actionable tips on how to use storytelling to deliver difficult messages and inspire your team.

Connect with the Andrea Sampson:

Talk Boutique Website

Andrea Sampson LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website