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 is joined by Greg Shove, CEO of Section and a serial entrepreneur with a deep track record of leading transformative growth. Shove’s leadership journey includes multiple successful pivots, and in this conversation, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective on how AI is fundamentally changing the role of leaders and the structure of modern organizations. From board-level decision-making to frontline productivity, he doesn’t just speculate—he shares what he’s doing inside his own company to lead through the change.

Greg originally joined Section to turn it from a media startup into a next-gen education company. But when he first used ChatGPT, he knew instantly that business education itself needed to evolve. That insight led to a bold pivot: transforming Section from an online business school into an AI-powered academy focused on accelerating performance and capability at scale. It’s a rare look at what it really takes to lead a high-velocity pivot—one grounded not in hype, but in strategy, execution, and conviction.

Throughout the conversation, Greg challenges conventional thinking on AI adoption, leadership credibility, and the future of knowledge work. He breaks down why many leaders are stuck in experimentation mode—and what it takes to move into actual transformation. CEOs and boards will find his views on performance, upskilling, and AI decision support to be especially compelling and uncomfortably timely.

If you're tired of surface-level conversations about AI and want to understand what the shift actually looks like inside a company, this episode delivers. Whether you're leading a small team or a global enterprise, Greg's insights on using AI as a leadership advantage—not just a tech upgrade—will spark new thinking and bold action.

Actionable Takeaways:

• You'll learn why Greg believes the greatest leadership returns come not from better execution—but from catching the right wave at the right time.
  
  
  
• Hear how AI is already matching 90% of the value delivered by human board members—and what that means for your next board meeting.
  
  
  
• Discover why most corporate training is already obsolete, and how AI can turn learning into personalized, outcome-driven coaching.
  
  
  
• Hear how Shopify’s CEO linked headcount approvals to AI productivity—and how that kind of thinking will soon become the norm.
  
  
  
• You'll gain perspective on how to model AI adoption as a leader, and why failing to do so erodes credibility at every level of the organization.
  
  
  
• Learn Greg’s approach to building AI habits inside leadership teams—and why small, visible systems often matter more than a “transformation plan.”
  
  
  
• Find out what question every CEO should be asking before making a major decision—and why it might be time to invite AI into the room.
  
  
  
• Hear why Greg believes business model innovation—not technology—will be the real competitive battleground in the age of AI.
  
  
  
• Understand the deeper threat AI poses to entry-level jobs and talent pipelines—and why CEOs need to rethink how organizations grow their future leaders.
  
  
  
• You’ll hear the provocative question Greg uses to challenge his own team—and how it might reshape your own strategy discussions.
  
  
  

Connect with Greg Shove:

Greg Shove Website

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website

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 experiences, including his time at Disney Institute, where he honed his leadership philosophy. He dives into the essence of what it means to be a leader who inspires others to discover their own potential while maintaining humility and an unwavering commitment to continuous learning.

Simon emphasizes the importance of leaders modeling the behaviors they wish to see in their teams, drawing from his Disney experience where leaders were expected to "pick up the trash" as a metaphor for taking responsibility beyond their titles. He also discusses the critical role of coaching in leadership, explaining why many managers fail to do it effectively and offering practical advice on how to make coaching a regular and impactful part of leadership practice. Simon’s approach to leadership is refreshingly candid, focusing on the need for intellectual humility and the ability to connect deeply with team members.

Listeners will also gain valuable insights into the evolving nature of work, particularly in the context of hybrid environments and the rise of AI. Simon highlights the challenges and opportunities these changes present for leaders, urging them to foster a culture of learning and adaptability. His emphasis on resilience and brilliance as twin pillars of success in today’s fast-paced world offers a powerful framework for executives aiming to lead their organizations through uncertainty and change.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Discover Simon’s key leadership principles drawn from his Disney Institute experience that emphasize the importance of modeling the right behaviors in any leadership role.
• Learn why intellectual humility is crucial for leaders who want to truly engage and empower their teams, and how this mindset can transform organizational culture.
• Hear how coaching can be a game-changer for managers, and why a regular cadence of one-on-one meetings is essential for building trust and ensuring alignment.
• Understand the concept of “catch and release in leadership—how training your team members to outgrow their roles can actually strengthen your organization.
• Explore the twin pillars of resilience and brilliance and why combining problem-solving with creativity is essential for unlocking your team’s potential.
• Gain insights into managing hybrid teams effectively, including strategies for maintaining connection and engagement in a remote or partially remote environment.
• Learn how to balance the demand for results with the need for resilience and flexibility, ensuring your team stays motivated and focused on long-term success.
• Discover the importance of continuous learning, and how scheduling your personal development like a vacation can lead to sustained growth in both your career and leadership capabilities.

Connect with Simon T Bailey

Simon T Bailey Website

Simon T Bailey LinkedIn

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn

Partnering Leadership Website