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 upon his unique experiences as a Navy SEAL and successful business leader to provide valuable lessons on leadership in the face of uncertainty. He discusses the importance of embracing discomfort, learning from failure, and maintaining faith in oneself and one's team.

Alden also shares the concept of the "mindset horizon," explaining how leaders can encourage their teams to venture beyond their comfort zones and take ownership of their roles. He emphasizes the significance of trust and autonomy in building high-performing teams and shares practical strategies for implementing these principles in organizations.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Discover the three levels of leadership and how they impact your organization's success
• Learn how to identify and overcome the fears that hold you back from venturing into the unknown
• Hear how to cultivate a culture of ownership and accountability within your team
• Understand the power of the "commander's intent" in setting clear boundaries while fostering autonomy
• Gain insights on building trust and faith among team members, a critical component of high-performance teams
• Explore the concept of the "mindset horizon" and how it can help you navigate change and uncertainty
• Learn how to reframe failure as an opportunity for growth and resilience
• Discover practical strategies for applying Navy SEAL leadership principles in civilian organizations
• Hear how to balance the need for structure with the importance of adaptability in today's fast-paced business environment
• Gain valuable tips on seeking out strategic, emergency, and tactical advisors to support your leadership journey

Connect with the Alden Mills

Alden Mills Website

Be Unstoppable Website

Alden Mills on LinkedIn

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 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 needs, laying the foundation for his approach to teaching and learning. He candidly discusses his initial skepticism towards ChatGPT, fearing it would enable plagiarism and undermine education. However, his willingness to approach the technology with an open mind led him to recognize its potential for enhancing learning experiences and driving organizational transformation.

Drawing from his experiences as the chair of the AI council at his college, Jason offers a fresh perspective on AI's role in education. He emphasizes the need to cultivate foundational skills while leveraging technology as a complementary tool. He advocates for a shift towards a more dynamic and relevant approach to teaching, where AI serves as a cognitive partner, challenging assumptions and fostering critical thinking.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn how Jason uses ChatGPT in his English classes to facilitate engaging discussions and encourage students to critically analyze their beliefs, pushing back against AI-generated counterarguments.
• Hear how AI can be leveraged as a powerful brainstorming tool for organizational change and strategy development, allowing leaders to explore innovative solutions and break out of traditional silos.
• Discover Jason's advice on embracing adaptability and critical thinking as essential skills for navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape, where job roles and pipelines are constantly shifting.
• Understand the importance of allowing emotional reactions to new technologies while maintaining an open mindset and focusing on practical applications rather than getting caught up in hype or fear.
• Learn about Jason's approach to exploring AI's potential, starting with a single program and investing time to understand its capabilities and limitations before strategizing its implementation.

Connect with Jason Gulya

Jason Gulya LinkedIn

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 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 from his experiences at Uber during its rapid growth phase, Projjal discusses how the company's decentralized structure and fighting spirit contributed to its success. He also delves into the importance of the founder's role in setting the tone for an organization's culture and attracting the right talent.

As the co-founder of OnLoop, JJ (Projjal) Ghatak is on a mission to "productize" management, making it simple and effective for every manager to bring out the best in their teams. He breaks down the key responsibilities of a manager and shares how OnLoop is using AI and habit-formation science to drive better management practices.

Throughout the conversation, Projjal touches on a range of topics relevant to today's leaders, from the challenges of hybrid work to the importance of self-awareness and continuous learning.

Actionable Takeaways:

- Discover how Uber's early culture of decentralization and fighting spirit fueled its rapid growth and success

- Learn Projjal's framework for the five key responsibilities of a manager and how to excel at each one

- Explore the science behind habit formation and how it can be leveraged to drive better management practices

- Gain insights on the productivity challenges of hybrid work and strategies for building self-discipline in remote teams

- Hear Projjal's unconventional approach to recruiting, which prioritizes raw talent over years of experience

- Understand the importance of self-awareness for leaders and how to leverage resources for continuous learning and growth

Connect with JJ (Projjal) Ghatak

OnLoop Website

JJ (Projjal) Ghatak LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website