Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future

Guest: Rustin Moore, Dean: The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Is your dog trying to teach you how to lead better? Dr. Rustin Moore joins host Maureen Metcalf to explore the profound connection between human physiology, emotional steadiness, and effective leadership. From the biochemical power of oxytocin to the social wisdom of packs, hives, and herds, Moore draws parallels between nature and modern organizations. Together they discuss how compassion, boundaries, and trust emerge naturally in healthy ecosystems, and how leaders can recreate that same balance in teams and workplaces. Here's what Rustin and Maureen cover: How leaders can cultivate calm and compassion under pressure; The neuroscience behind building trust and resilient teams; and Why interacting with animals reduces stress. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Bonobo Sisterhood: Ape Society’s Lessons for Leadership with Diane Rosenfeld - Why Pet-Friendly Means Productivity-Friendly with Lisa Campbell - Our Emotional Recession: How to Lead When People Are Depleted with Joshua Freedman For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Rustin’s book is Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions. It’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/47D25d1.   His follow-up book is Unlocking the Bond: The Power & Paradox of Human-Animal Interactions; it will be available in January.   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 Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Dr. Rustin M. Moore, professor and the Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean in Veterinary Medicine, is the 11th dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine having served in this role since September 2015. A two-time graduate of the college, Dr. Moore returned to the college in 2006 and served as the chair of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, executive director of the Veterinary Medical Center, associate dean for Clinical and Outreach Programs, and associate executive dean before becoming dean. He has taught both at Ohio State and at Louisiana State University (LSU)   A native of Spencer, WV, he earned a BS degree (1986), summa cum laude, from West Virginia University; a DVM (1989), summa cum laude, and a PhD (1994) from The Ohio State University. He became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1994.   He is the author of Unleashing the Bond: Harnessing the Power of Human-Animal Interactions, a comprehensive work that delves into the profound human-animal connection, weaving together history, science, culture, demographic and socioeconomic data, and compelling stories from over 100 interviews into an informative and captivating narrative. His follow-up book, Unlocking the Bond: The Power and Paradox of Human-Animal Interactions, builds upon the foundation of Unleashing the Bond, focusing on and raising awareness about the impact and contradictions of the human-animal bond.

Guests: Aaron Parness (Director) & Beryl Tomay (VP) Amazon is reinventing the future of work. with robots that can feel, AI smart glasses for delivery drivers, and new safety-first systems that transform how millions of packages move every day. In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Amazon’s “Delivering the Future” event to explore how technology, robotics, and human-centered leadership are transforming work at massive scale. First, Aaron Parness, Director of Applied Science in Robotics & AI, reveals how his team built Vulcan — a robot with a sense of touch — and what it teaches us about experimentation, iteration, and designing technology that elevates human workers instead of replacing them. Then, Beryl Tomay, Vice President of Transportation at Amazon, shares how innovations like AI-driven smart glasses, hazard detection, and advanced driver training are making frontline work safer, more dignified, and more sustainable…all while getting packages to your porch quickly. You’ll learn: ✅ How human–robot collaboration actually works ✅ Why Amazon isn’t aiming for “100% automation” ✅ How AI smart glasses increase safety in the field ✅ What it really takes to scale innovation to millions of deliveries a day. This episode is a masterclass in leading innovation with clarity, courage, and humanity. Related episodes you'll enjoy: Amazon’s Innovation Secret: Look to Failure for Success with Beryl Tomay Delivering the Future: Why Amazon Execs Lead Beyond Retail with Kara Hurst & Ryan Redington Four Key Lessons from Amazon’s Head of Family Trust with Catherine Teitelbaum How Moonshots & Robots Put Packages on Your Porch with Steve Armato   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about the new delivery technologies Beryl mentioned at https://bit.ly/DeliveryTech. To discover more about Amazon’s robotics, check out https://bit.ly/RobotsAtAmazon.   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 Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Aaron Parness works as a Director of Applied Science in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Amazon. His teams in Seattle and Berlin build robotic work cells to increase delivery speed and reduce the cost of order fulfillment for Amazon customers. Specializing in high contact and high clutter applications, he has led advances in giving robots a sense of touch by incorporating force and torque sensors into the robots’ motion plans and control loops. From 2010 to 2019, Aaron worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he founded and led the Robotic Rapid Prototyping Laboratory specializing in grippers and wall climbing robots. He received his PhD from Stanford in 2009 advised by Mark Cutkosky; and earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and BS in Creative Writing from MIT in 2004.   Beryl Tomay has been at Amazon for 20 years having joined in 2005 as a Software Development Engineer. She was part of the small team that launched the original Kindle device and remained in the Devices organization for the subsequent 8 years. She joined the nascent Last Mile organization, the logistics business that gets packages through the final steps on their way to customers’ doorsteps, in early 2014 as one of its first employees. Today, she is responsible for Amazon’s Last Mile delivery technology and businesses as well as Amazon’s customer delivery and returns experiences. Prior to Amazon, Beryl received her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Beryl and her husband love going to Kraken hockey games, walking their dog Luna, and visiting new and diverse restaurants.

Guest: Joshua Freedman, CEO & Co-Founder of Six Seconds Around the world, people are emotionally exhausted, socially polarized, and struggling to stay engaged at work. Global emotional intelligence scores have declined for several years, and leaders today face an unseen burden: an emotional tax on every interaction, decision, and relationship. In this episode, emotional intelligence expert Joshua Freedman joins Maureen Metcalf to explore how leaders can reduce the hidden emotional tax in organizations, rebuild trust, and create healthier workplaces. Discover how EQ drives performance, why trust is a leader’s greatest currency, and what practical steps you can take to lead with clarity and humanity in turbulent times. Here's what Joshua and Maureen discuss: The hidden emotional tax draining teams and cultures The business case for EQ (and how it improves performance) Why trust is now a leader’s most critical output.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - The Human Energy Crisis at Work with Joshua Freedman - What’s the Point: Why Your Leadership Needs Purpose with Ryan Gottfredson - To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Followers with Ira Chaleff   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Joshua’s work at https://6seconds.org. His many books are available on Amazon.   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 Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   A staggering finding emerged from over a million emotional intelligence assessments: the world is in an emotional recession. Burnout, falling empathy, and disengagement are draining performance and wellbeing. Joshua Freedman, CEO and cofounder of Six Seconds, is on a mission to reverse the trend. For 25+ years, he has led the world’s largest EQ study (State of the Heart), advised global brands like FedEx, Shell, and the UN, and developed practical tools used in 150+ countries. A bestselling author; his 8th book, Emotion Rules (2026) equips leaders to transform emotions into actionable data that fuels trust, resilience, and results.

Guest: Brad Diskin, CEO of SGI AI can see. But can it hear? Meet Brad Diskin, CEO of Sound Genetics Inc. (SGI), the company teaching machines to listen. In this interview with host Maureen Metcalf, you’ll explore how acoustic intelligence is transforming security, leadership, and innovation across industries.   From detecting deepfakes and authenticating human voices to predicting infrastructure failures and even diagnosing disease through audio patterns, SGI’s technology is expanding how leaders think about AI, risk, and trust. Here's what Brad and Maureen cover: How “sound DNA” is transforming authentication, fraud prevention, and cybersecurity Why AI’s next frontier isn’t vision; it’s hearing What “digital audio imaging” means for infrastructure, health, and smart cities The leadership mindset required to responsibly integrate next-generation AI.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Fear Less, Shine More: Build Confidence in Your Leadership (and Life) with Tonjia Coverdale - To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Followers with Ira Chaleff - Forget Power: How to Lead in a World of Chaos & Complexity with Michelle Harrison   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about the work of Brad’s company on their website,   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 Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Brad Diskin was CEO of UROK Learning Institute for 20 years. The firm specialized in teaching students with learning deficits to read, write and do math. The firm taught students to read nationwide utilizing the company's proprietary reading program Literacy Links. One of the tools became the genesis of Sound Genetics Inc. The company received a United States Patent on August 22, 2023 SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRE - FILTERING AUDIO CONTENT BASED ON PROMINENCE OF FREQUENCY CONTENT.

Guest: Tonjia Coverdale, Ph.D., CEO at Lambiante Fearless leadership doesn’t mean living without fear; it means learning to fear less.   In this episode, Dr. Tonjia Coverdale shares her seven-level framework that helps leaders align who they are with how they lead. Together with host Maureen Metcalf, she explores how to create clarity and confidence in yourself, and high-performing teams as a result.   If you’ve ever wondered how to strengthen your leadership presence and speak with authentic clarity—even in uncertain times—this conversation is for you. Here's what Tonjia and Maureen cover: Find your authentic leadership voice Overcome fear and self-doubt in tough moments Use wellness practices to boost leadership performance, and Inspire trust, clarity, and innovation in your team.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: What’s the Point? Why Your Leadership Needs Purpose with Ryan Gottfredson Reinvent, Collaborate, Succeed: A CEO’s Winning Leadership Formula with Susan Howe How Great Leaders Are Made: Insights from The Economist’s “Boss Class” with Andrew Palmer For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   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 Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross 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:   Tonjia Coverdale, PhD, is a three-time CXO and seasoned technology executive with 28 years of experience leading enterprise data strategy, architecture, and AI-driven transformation across Fortune 100 financial services, higher education, government, and consulting. As Principal & CEO of Lambiante, she helps organizations harness technology — with architecture, data, and AI at the core — to align business, people, and purpose for transformational outcomes. A 500-hour certified yoga teacher, Tonjia brings a wellness-informed approach to leadership, known for her high energy, bold presence, and visionary leadership.

Guest: Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., leadership researcher Most leadership development fails because it focuses only on skills and knowledge, but real transformation happens deeper…all the way down to upgrading your mental operating system.   Professor and researcher Ryan Gottfredson explains how upgrading your inner operating system (not just adding new “apps” of skills) shifts leaders from self-protection toward value creation. Together, Maureen and Ryan unpack his framework of Awareness, Altitude, and Upgrade, showing how leaders can move from being dependent thinkers toward truly interdependent leadership. Here's what Neil and Maureen cover: - Why only 1% of leaders reach the highest level of maturity; - Why 98% of leadership programs fail to create transformation; and - What Jack Welch, Alan Mulally, and Satya Nadella can teach us about long-term impact..   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Bringing Clarity to Confusion with Terri O’Fallon & Kim Barta - Do It on Purpose with Nell Derick Debevoise - Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Ryan’s new book is Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation. It’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/42iMLAp, and audiobook at https://amzn.to/4pazdkh.   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 Sponsorship Sales: Kristine Gross 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:   Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership, The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development, and Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation.     He is the founder and owner of his consulting company, Ryan Gottfredson LLC, where he specializes in elevating leaders and executive teams in a manner that elevates the organization and its culture. He has worked with top leadership teams at CVS Health (top 130 leaders), Deutsche Telekom (500+ of their top 2,000 leaders), Experian, and others. He has also partnered with dozens of organizations (e.g., Federal Reserve Bank, Nationwide Insurance, Cook Medical) to develop thousands of mid-level managers and high-level leaders.   He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. His research has been cited over 4,600 times since 2019.

Guest: Susan Howe, CEO of Weber Shandwick What does it take to lead a global organization through constant change? In this conversation, host Maureen Metcalf sits down with Susan Howe, CEO of Weber Shandwick, to explore the leadership strategies behind one of the world’s leading PR firms.   Howe offers practical strategies for executives navigating organizational transformation, AI-driven change, and the accelerating pace of business. Learn how leaders can engineer collaboration, sustain innovation, and remain grounded in uncertain times…and why reinvention must now be a way of life for leaders to maintain a competitive advantage. Here's what Susan and Maureen cover: How to lead in a world reshaped by disruption; Why trust is earned through contribution, not messaging; and Practical ways to build an organizational culture that will adapt…and thrive! Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Forget Power: How to Lead in a World of Chaos & Complexity with Michelle Harrison - How Great Leaders Are Made: Insights from The Economist’s “Boss Class” – with Andrew Palmer - To Stop a Tyrant: The Power of Followers with Ira Chaleff For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Weber Shandwick’s website has a wealth of information at https://webershandwick.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 Sponsorship Sales: Kristine Gross 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:   Susan Howe is Chief Executive Officer of The Weber Shandwick Collective (TWSC), the leading earned-first strategic communications and consulting network spanning 60+ global markets. Under her leadership, TWSC serves Fortune 500 companies across every major industry sector, earning coveted recognition such as PRWeek’s Global Agency of the Year and PRovoke’s Global Agency of the Decade, as well as being named to Ad Age’s Agency A-list and Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. TWSC has 225+ Cannes Lions and counting.   With more than two decades of leadership at TWSC, Susan has been a key driver of its growth in her roles as President, Chief Growth Officer and Chief Collaboration Officer, overseeing global operations and fostering collaboration across regions and practices.   As a passionate advocate for inclusion and women in business, Susan is a member of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women community. She also serves on the boards of the Sheppard Pratt Foundation and the Northwestern Alumni Association. Susan is a graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism and was recently inducted into the Medill Hall of Achievement, the highest honor awarded to Medill graduates.

Guest: Mark Monchek What on earth is an Unconference?   Traditional leadership models are cracking under the weight of today’s rapid change. Strategist and unconference co-creator Mark Monchek reveals why legacy leadership models—top-down authority, rigid planning, and competition-first thinking—are no longer fit for a world defined by disruption. The solution will come through the unconference: a new, intensive, and far more effective way to grow as a leader. It can reshape leadership development through collaboration, experiential learning, and ongoing community. Here's what Mark and Maureen cover: Why control-based leadership is losing effectiveness; How AI is changing the skills leaders need to be successful (for one, they have to learn to be more human!; and The unconference format, and how that leads to more rapid and meaningful leadership growth.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Steer Your Career to the Next Tier with Tammy Alvarez - The Job I Love to Hate with Tammy Alvarez - Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Learn more about the Unconference Mark and Maureen will be part of at https://unconferencenyc.com/. Mark’s own company has more information about his work at https://opplab.com/.   Mark’s book is Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption. It’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/4oxilEb, and Kindle at https://amzn.to/3JecZ0w.   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 Procucer: 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:   Mark Monchek is the founder of Opportunity Lab, a strategy and leadership development firm that provides the direction, systems, and tools to take organizations to the next level of substantial growth. Mark has worked with leaders from Google, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Adorama, TerraCycle, Feltsberg, The New York Times, Wharton School of Business, New York University, Columbia University, NBC, Time Warner, and the United Nations. He’s the author of the Amazon nonfiction bestseller Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption. Mark has been featured in Real Leaders, The Better Business Book, the Organization Development Review Journal, Lifetime Network, WPLJ, WCBS, Newsday, Working Women Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle.

Guest: Ira Chaleff What can you do when leadership at work crosses the line into authoritarian control?   We talk about authoritarians in politics, but they’re in the business world, too…and on the rise there. In this timely and provocative episode, Maureen Metcalf interviews Ira Chaleff, author of To Stop a Tyrant and The Courageous Follower, to explore how power is exercised, and challenged, inside both governments and organizations. Here's what Ira and Maureen cover: How authoritarian behavior is rising in business as well as politics; The difference between dissent and disloyalty; Why political acuity is essential for ethical influence   Learn more from Ira’s in-depth knowledge of followership in these past episodes: - How Five Types of Followers Make (or Brake) a Toxic Leader - The Dance Between Leadership & Followership – Margaret Heffernan joins Ira - Courageous Followership – Neil Grunberg joins Ira For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Ira’s book, To Stop a Tyrant, is available now on Amazon in hardback at  https://amzn.to/3W5XDys and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/420Zvwc. An audiobook edition is on Audible.com as well.   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 Procucer: 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:   Ira Chaleff is an author, speaker, and innovative thinker specializing in the dynamics between leaders and followers. He serves as chairman emeritus of the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation in Washington, D.C., an organization dedicated to enhancing communication between constituents and their elected representatives.   Chaleff's groundbreaking work, The Courageous Follower: Standing Up to and for Our Leaders, has been published in multiple languages and is utilized globally across educational, corporate, government, and military institutions. He co-edited The Art of Followership: How Great Followers Create Great Leaders and Organizations, part of the esteemed Warren Bennis Leadership Series. His book Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You're Told to Do Is Wrong explores the roots of obedience and provides guidance on resisting inappropriate orders to achieve ethical outcomes.   As the founder of the Followership Learning Community within the International Leadership Association, Chaleff has been recognized as one of the 100 "Best Minds on Leadership" by Leadership Excellence magazine. He has served on the board of the International Leadership Association and was a visiting leadership scholar at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, England. His ideas on leadership and followership have influenced cultures within the U.S. military, civilian agencies, and international institutions, including the European Union and the British Army.   Chaleff holds a degree in Applied Behavioral Science and is a Board Certified Coach from the Center for Credentialing and Education. He continues to contribute to the global followership community through writing and lecturing from his home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Guest: Steve Daley, Koch President of Principle Based Management What does it take to build a resilient, innovation-driven culture—without relying on rigid rules or micromanagement? In this episode, Steve Daley shares how Koch reimagines work through Principle Based Management. Hosted by Maureen Metcalf, this conversation dives into how Koch empowers employees by trusting them with responsibility, rewarding contribution, and fostering leadership at every level. Here's what Steve and Maureen cover: Why Koch abandoned traditional job descriptions; Why even Charles Koch receives a formal performance review; and Why leaders are expected to not be bureaucrats! Other episodes you'll enjoy: - How Missing Ethics Makes a Mess of Organizations with Greg Moran - Addressing Values Conflicts with John Heiser - Non-Traditional Leadership Models for Our New Era with Nathan Eva & Nicole Ferry   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   The website about Koch’s principles-based system is https://principlebasedmanagement.com/en.   Chase Koch’s blog is on Medium at https://chasekoch.medium.com/.   Charles Koch’s book is Believe in People: Bottom-Up Solutions for a Top-Down World. It’s on Amazon at https://amzn.to/43PgKBa.   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:   Steve Daley is president of Principle Based Management, which provides training and development services to Koch companies. Mr. Daley joined Koch in 2005. He was director of the MBM® Capability prior to his current role. In the United States, he has worked as a consultant to USAID and as a research fellow for the Mercatus Center. He has had several opportunities to present his work on microfinance to congressional audiences. Mr. Daley has a Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University and has worked in both the business and policy fields. He was raised in Australia where he was a partner in a tax and business strategy firm for more than five years.

Guest: Greg Moran, Ford’s Former Chief Strategy Officer The time to “wait and see” is over. Thanks to AI, no matter what your industry, you need to act now. On everything.   That’s the core message from guest Greg Moran as he surveys a behind-the-scenes revolution AI has already spawned: fast, cheap development of new ideas. New technologies drastically reduce the time and cost to develop and deploy apps, products, and services. It means leaders must now be more agile, adaptable, and willing to experiment to maintain competitiveness. Here's what Greg and Maureen cover: Why holding on to expensive legacy systems is holding you back; Why standing still and waiting for the dust to settle are now lethal strategies; and How your frontline staff are more willing and ready to change than your executive suite. Binge listen to more wisdom from Greg: - Three Steps for Successful Negotiation - The 7 Leadership Mindsets You Need Right Now - How Missing Ethics Makes a Mess of Organizations For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   You can contact Greg for more information at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsmoran/ .   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:   Greg Moran is a director, founder, advisor and operating executive with extensive global operations experience (U.S., Europe and Asia). He has a strong market focus with deep technology experience forged at business giants such as Ford and Chase which he now applies to organizations of all sizes - start-up, scaling, restructuring, sales, and finance/operations.

Guest: Joe Nardone, President & CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority In this episode, Joe Nardone shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a $2 billion airport terminal…and a future-ready organization. Joe dives into the true drivers of successful change: a relentless vision, a culture rooted in respect and innovation, and the hard reality that transformation often means losing good people who no longer fit the mission. If you're navigating major change (or preparing to), this conversation offers powerful lessons in leadership grit, cultural evolution, and the courage required to build something extraordinary. Here's what Joe and host Maureen Metcalf cover: Why even good, talented staff can “wash out” during culture change; How seeing your competition as Apple, LinkedIn, and other big brands outside your industry can drive better innovation; and The importance of designing for things that don’t even exist yet, not just today’s problems. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Why Your Old Leadership Style Doesn’t Work Anymore with Gill Hickman and Jorrit Volkers - Coming Soon to a Business Climate Near You with Matthew Griffin - Adaptive Leadership & Culture Change with Ron Heifetz   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. RESOURCES:   Learn more about Joe’s work – and the progress on the new airport terminal – at https://flycolumbus.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:   President & CEO, Joe Nardone oversees the strategic operation and management of Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s three airports. Leading all aspects of the organization, he is specifically tasked with advancing air service development and creating partnerships to benefit the Columbus Region. Prior to this, he was CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority in Michigan, including Detroit Metro Airport.

Guest: Michael Marks, Founding Managing Partner at Celesta Capital & Former Tesla Interim CEO Politics aside, tariffs simply can’t work without devastating business. That’s just one candid, no-nonsense point Michael Marks brings in his conversation with host Maureen Metcalf.   Marks is one of the most respected tech investors in Silicon Valley, with a four decade track record that includes high level leadership and management – including a stint as interim CEO at Tesla, and building Flex from an $8 million to $24 billion company as CEO. His unparalleled success and real-world experience offers rich leadership lessons to profit every growing leader…to profit you! Here's what Michael and Maureen cover: The costly impact of tariffs and impossibility of truly separating countries’ economies and supply chains; Why every good leader needs the three Cs: Curiosity, Conscience, and Courage; and How curiosity built his businesses, and continues to drive him. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Mastercard’s Chief Innovation Officer on Fostering a Culture of Innovation with Ken Moore - Courageous Followership with Ira Chaleff & Neil Grunberg - Business Disruptions: Are You Disrupting or Being Disrupted? with Mark Kvamme - How Leaders Thrive through Rapid Change with Chris Nolan & Mike Schindler   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Celesta Capital, Michael’s venture capital firm, at https://www.celesta.vc/. The TechSurge podcast is online at https://www.techsurgepodcast.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:   Michael Marks is a Founding Managing Partner of Celesta Capital and a host of the TechSurge Podcast. For 40 years, Michael has successfully led and transformed technology companies. Prior to Celesta, Michael was a founding partner of Riverwood Capital, a Menlo Park-based private equity firm, and served as Partner and Senior Advisor at KKR. He spent 13 years as CEO and then chairman of Flex, growing its revenues from $150M to nearly $30B in that time. Michael also served as an Interim CEO at Tesla. Michael served as an Adjunct Professor at Stanford Graduate Business School from 2008 - 2017, and is currently a Board Director for over 20 companies. Michael previously served as a Director for Schlumberger Limited, GoPro, and SanDisk, among others.

Guest: Jonathan Reams, Chief Creative Officer You’ve been through leadership training; why didn’t it work?   Because it wasn’t about you. That’s the conclusion Jonathan Reams – the CCO of Norway’s Center for Transformative Leadership – came to. You’re unique, and most off-the-shelf leadership programs don’t take the time for you to dig deep into yourself to discover what makes you tick as a leader…and as a person. He and host Maureen Metcalf discuss that, and the solutions available to you right now. Here's what Jonathan and Maureen cover: Why the elites reserve the best leadership training – and funding – for themselves; How Jonathan is democratizing leadership development tools so you can use them, too; and Why you can’t truly grow as a leader without doing deep inner work to overcome “immunity to change” and other personal factors. Other episodes you'll enjoy: Getting Lost in the Language of Leadership with Jonathan Reams Growing Up and Out: Development for Modern Leaders with Mike Morrow-Fox Working & Living in Joy with Pamela Larde, Ph.D.   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   You can learn more about Jonathan’s leadership initiatives on his website at https://www.jonathanreams.com/ and his democratization of leadership training at https://www.adeptify.co/. 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:   Jonathan Reams is driven by an insatiable curiosity about the essence of human nature and how to cultivate this essence in the service of leadership. He uses various outlets for achieving this. He held a position at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology from 2007 until 2024, where he taught and did research on leadership development, coaching and counseling. He served as Editor-in Chief of Integral Review, A Transdisciplinary and Transcultural Journal for New Thought, Praxis and Research from 2005 until 2023. He is also a co-founder of the Center for Transformative Leadership and the European Center for Leadership Practice. Jonathan’s Ph.D. is in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University.   Jonathan practices the cultivation of leadership through consulting and leadership development program design and delivery. He brings awareness-based technology to this work, focusing on how the inner workings of human nature can develop leadership capacities for today’s complex challenges.

Guest: Theo Edmonds, Culture Futurist® We explore the declining state of American innovation in this episode, focusing on the pivotal role of wonder and creativity in driving growth and innovation in the workplace. Our guest, futurist Theo Edmonds, has identified the key innovation barriers: fear, frustration, and fragmentation. He also identifies solutions to overcome them. It taps into something he calls “The Wonder Economy.” .Here's what Theo and Maureen cover: Why innovation in business requires much more than simple creativity; The economic benefits of innovation (and how most American companies are missing out); and How to implement the six elements to awaken innovation with W.O.N.D.E.R. Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Amazon Execs Share How Innovation Delivers Your Future with Dave Carbon, John Love, Dr. Vin Gupta, & Tye Brady - The Creative Mindset: Mastering the Skills that Empower Innovation with Jeff DeGraff - Fostering a Culture of Innovation with Mastercard’s Chief Innovation Officer, Ken Moore   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Theo’s work at https://www.theoedmonds.com/. Details on his Creativity America initiative are at https://www.creativityamerica.com/.   Theo recommends these books for more detail: The Handbook of Organizational Creativity (two volumes) – Ronnie Writer Paulman, editor; specifically its chapter on the cognitive neuroscience of creativity (Roger Beatty), and the chapter on organizational creativity (Paulman). Robert Schiller’s Narrative Economics; it’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/4jfPWPr and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/3FMqVge.   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: 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:   Theo Edmonds is a Culture Futurist®, entrepreneur, artist, and poet reshaping the future of innovation by uniting the best of culture, commerce, and brain science. Over the last 30 years, he has spearheaded transformational projects for Fortune 100 companies, governments, and universities. In 2024, he launched Creativity America, a multi-year initiative to build America’s Wonder Economy. This groundbreaking collaboration with top pioneers in cognitive neuroscience, industrial psychology, business, and the arts aims to increase America’s Creative Brain Capital by 25% within a decade. Recognized as an unconventional trailblazer, Theo is a sought-after speaker and executive advisor in strategic foresight, leading organizational creativity and culture change management.

Guest: Diego Ugalde What if the key to elite leadership isn’t control, but deep self-awareness and emotional intelligence? In this episode, Maureen Metcalf sits down with retired Navy SEAL, leadership expert, and storyteller Diego Ugalde to explore how authenticity, trust, and inner mastery reshape the way we lead. Drawing from his experience in high-stakes environments and his personal transformation journey, Diego shares powerful insights on breaking the "warrior mindset," integrating emotions, and leading from a grounded, aligned place. Whether you're navigating executive challenges, managing teams, or seeking personal growth, this conversation offers actionable tools to elevate your leadership and unlock your full potential. Here's what Diego and Maureen cover: How self-awareness fosters trust and team alignment; The paradox that letting go of control creates better outcomes; and Why rigid leaders are actually acting out of fear (and how to break free from that). Other episodes you'll enjoy: From Ego to Impact: Managing with Clarity with Subhanu Saxena How Your Personal Practices Make You an Exceptional Leader with Kathryn Goldman Schuyler When Leadership Puts Life on the Line with former Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin   For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   Diego’s book is Leading from the Deep. It’s available in paperback at https://amzn.to/4kODtno, on Kindle at https://amzn.to/4kODtno, and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/4kODtno.   You’ll find more about his projects at https://thewarriorside.com/ and https://thetridentapproach.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.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: To Stop a Tyrant by Ira Chaleff, on how leaders become tyrants and their types of followers, is in hardback on Amazon at https://amzn.to/3W5XDys and on Kindle at https://amzn.to/420Zvwc. An audiobook edition is coming soon. Bedtime Stories for Managers, a collection of short essays from Henry Mintzberg; it’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/4hl6gOb, and Kindle at https://amzn.to/3PYmSiX. Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work by Ancestry CEO Deb Liu, on how to overcome the obstacles women still face in the workplace – especially in tech. It’s in hardback at https://amzn.to/47OUO9E, and audio at https://amzn.to/3Y6EmOQ. Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A by Steve Robinson; it’s available in hardback at https://amzn.to/460LnmQ, on Kindle at https://amzn.to/3RVXhZs, and as an audiobook at https://amzn.to/3xPjBgn. 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: Devon Mushalko Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Diego Ugalde is a retired Navy SEAL, leadership expert, storyteller, and author of Leading from the Deep. With decades of experience in high-stakes environments, Diego now coaches top executives to lead with emotional intelligence and purpose. His transformational approach blends SEAL leadership with spiritual depth, helping clients unlock new levels of success and fulfillment. He is also the creator of Warriorside, an immersive storytelling experience that reconnects people to their humanity through powerful, vulnerable stories. Diego’s work has been praised for its deep impact, with clients such as Google X and elite leaders across industries.