Gagen MacDonald - Podcast Details

Shows

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldMargery Kraus | What It Takes To Be Truly “Glocal”Margery Kraus, founder and executive chairman of APCO, reflects on 40 years of leadership. She shares how APCO grew from a small team into a global advisory firm rooted in trust, values and innovation. Margery discusses building a culture that thrives across borders, letting go of control to develop future leaders and applying lessons from motherhood to business. She also looks ahead to what’s next, including bold thinking around education, youth opportunity and social change. Key Takeaways: (00:28) Leadership journeys often begin with unexpected opportunities. (03:04) An outside perspective can lead to more creative solutions....2025-07-1740 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldGreg Larkin | Tackling Innovation Roadblocks To survive over the long term, businesses must constantly innovate and transform. All too often, however, forces inside companies stifle this change. Greg Larkin has built a career as an internal disruptor. In his view, anyone who seeks to innovate from within, to transform a legacy company, naturally comes into contact with obstructionists — with people who, for different reasons, act as barriers to change. Larkin has identified five key obstructionist archetypes, and he has a playbook of strategies for overcoming each one of them. He talks with Maril about his career journey; about his leadership com...2024-10-2933 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldGeneral Jay Silveria | Leadership Lessons from the CockpitFrom the U.S. Air Force to higher education, General Jay Silveria’s leadership career has been as wide-ranging as they come. After leading pilots into combat and going viral for the anti-racist speech he made while Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy, Silveria now serves as the Executive Director of Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government & Public Service. The thread beneath all his experiences is that he’s a true servant leader — one who invests time in getting to know his people as a mission imperative. He and Maril discuss why innovati...2024-10-0139 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldUmayma Abubakar | Harmonizing Cultures: The Art of Post-Merger Integration In a world where so many M&A activities fail to deliver their promised results, Umayma Abubakar has firsthand knowledge of how to buck the trend, and truly create something new and better through all the change. Starting in 2017, Abubakar helped lead one of the largest mergers in history, when Mubadala Development Company combined with International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) to form what is today known as Mubadala Investment Company. Maril talks with Abubakar, now Mubadala’s deputy chief communications officer, about the principles and practices that drove them through the merger, and what executives aro...2024-09-1038 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldBonnie St. John | Paralympian Medalist on Harnessing the Power of PositivityResilience is something Bonnie St. John knows in her core. The Harvard grad and Rhodes Scholar became a Paralympic medalist by getting up after she’d fallen down in a very literal way, and since then, she has helped leaders and businesses understand the power in that truth. Over a wide-ranging conversation, she and Maril discuss how there is no one right way to be a leader; why purpose is so important to resilience; and why positivity is such a potent reinforcement mechanism — for locking in learning, for persevering within challenges and ultimately, for accomplishing our goals. ABOU...2024-08-2045 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldJulia Hobsbawm | Building Genuine Connection and Trust in a Hybrid WorldWork has been in a chaotic flux since COVID-19 began, but as Julia Hobsbawm reminds us, it wasn’t going that well before the pandemic, either. The author, Bloomberg columnist and futurist of work has been researching connectivity, social health and humans’ relationship with technology since before the age of hybrid work. She talks with Maril about the ways work is changing — from new office models to technology developments to the norms of new generations — and what the best leaders can do to build productive, fulfilled, connected cultures through it all. --- ABOUT LET GO...2024-07-2944 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldMark Miller | What Chick-fil-A Has Figured Out About LeadershipAt the heart of Chick-fil-A’s iconic culture is a simple but consistent focus on studying and developing good leaders. Mark Miller, the former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A, was there decades ago as the company first asked what it takes to be an effective leader. He was also there leading the charge as they worked to scale the learnings they found. He and Maril discuss the traits that set transformative leaders apart; the power of asking questions; why unclear aspiration is the root of so much organizational culture struggle; and why it’s so i...2024-07-0946 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldKate O’Neill | How leaders can create bankable foresights and scale optimismIn a world increasingly driven by technology and data, is it possible to preserve the health of the human experience and the broader planet? One of the first 100 employees of Netflix, Kate O’Neill has long innovated at the intersection of technology and humanity. In the view of O’Neill and her signature “strategic optimism,” the future is still ours to shape, and businesses have a bigger role to play than they’ve ever had in the past. She and Maril discuss the human specialty of meaning-making, and the ways it manifests into organizational purpose work; why t...2024-06-1837 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldSally Jenkins | The seven factors of high performing leadersIn Pulitzer-nominated sportswriter Sally Jenkins’ experience, great leaders are less in the business of winning than the business of teaching. Over a wide-ranging conversation, Maril and Sally explore the leadership lessons Sally has learned from a career interviewing and writing about the world’s great athletes and coaches. They discuss why discipline is something that leaders can’t impose, but have to call up from within people; why it’s less important to take a popular position than a good position; and why leadership is less like holding the steering wheel and more like conducing an orchest...2023-10-1729 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldVada Manager | Leadership lessons from a career of service For Vada Manager, everything comes back to relationships. Throughout a career serving on countless Boards of Directors and advising everyone from Nelson Mandela to Nike founder Phil Knight to the New York Yankees’ George Steinbrenner, Manager has accumulated more than 14,000 contacts in his rolodex, and he’s quick to tout this number with students and mentees. Relationships, he says, come full circle — and his career has been driven by them. Nurturing those relationships through thoughtful gestures and regular contact means that you’re always top of mind for opportunities and your connections remain eager to assist you when they can. 2023-10-0342 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldZach Mercurio | How to become a more purposeful leader For researcher, professor and author Zach Mercurio, “mattering” is not a new buzz word: it’s a primal human survival instinct embedded in our brains from 6 million years of programming, and something businesses need to take very seriously. Zach is an expert in what makes work meaningful, and to him, the facts are clear: Meaningfulness is not developed through a program or initiative — it’s developed and maintained through human interactions. He and Maril discuss why it’s so important for people to know that they’re significant to others; why often, we blame humans for problems that are actually the f...2023-09-1956 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldAnn Powell | Building a radically inclusive culture Ann Powell, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Bristol Myers Squibb, talks with Maril about her leadership journey. The culture of “radical inclusivity” Powell has shepherded at BMS has allowed the company to continuously and successfully transform the past several years, and Powell has learned a lot through the work. She and Maril discuss the evolution of HR from an administrative function to a strategic business function; why Powell sees storytelling as an absolutely critical skill for HR leaders; and what BMS is doing to promote workforce wellbeing — a topic that Powell believes will become a powerful competi...2023-09-0545 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldScott A. Snook, Ph.D. | How to develop authentic leaders Leadership expert, Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer and bestselling author of Friendly Fire Scott A. Snook discusses what he’s learned over his time in the military and academia about what it takes to lead. Snook, a decorated veteran and victim of friendly fire himself, studies these incidents of tragedy as a way to make sense of — and ultimately prevent — organizational dysfunction. Among other things, they discuss why every leadership program should cover “followership” and the art of managing up; how leaders fundamentally cannot control outcomes, and can only shift the odds; the importance of finding the right balance between hi...2023-08-2247 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldWhitney Johnson | How personal disruption unlocks innovation and success In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril talks with bestselling author, world-class coach and CEO and Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors Whitney Johnson. After a successful career on Wall Street, Whitney had an epiphany: she wanted to apply the immense knowledge she’d gained from modeling and analyzing stock performance to see if the same rules could be applied to people. Over a wide-ranging conversation around disruption, Whitney speaks to the power of personal disruption; explains her S-curve model, which she uses to better understand how individuals change and grow; and walks through the seven accelerants of productive disruption. At...2023-08-0839 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldMark Crowley | The powerful advantage of leading from the heart In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril talks with bestselling author and lauded employee engagement expert Mark Crowley. Over 25 years, Crowley drove unprecedented success as a leader in the financial services industry by focusing on a simple but powerful idea: when human beings thrive, organizations thrive as well. He and Maril discuss the unprecedented opportunity leaders have right now to reinvent how we lead and manage people by focusing more on how we make people feel. When leaders trust in human connection and give people more emotional support, they allow themselves to set higher expectations, as well — driving we...2023-07-2550 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldAmy Edmondson | How leaders nurture psychological safety In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril talks with lauded author, scholar and Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, whose pioneering research into psychological safety has massively impacted the world of work. Amy breaks down what psychological safety is, what it isn’t and three key things leaders need to do to foster it. Over a ranging conversation, she and Maril discuss the immense importance of leaders in the middle; why leaders need to maintain a beginner’s mind; and why psychological safety — or, as Amy defines it, “permission for candor” — must be balanced with a commitm...2023-07-1144 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldSylvia Burwell | Leading in Complex SituationsIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril talks with Sylvia Burwell, the 15th president of American University. She shares the leadership principles that have guided her through an impressive and wide-ranging leadership career — from serving as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration to Chief Operating Officer at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to her current role as the first woman to lead American University. Sylvia and Maril discuss the importance, for a leader, of creating a leadership team that doesn’t look like you, with true diversity of perspective; of being a ca...2023-01-1737 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldWendy Short Bartie | How leadership can benefit all of humanityIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril talks with Wendy Short Bartie, Senior Vice President & Chief of Staff to the CEO at Bristol Myers Squibb. The gift for leadership that has made Wendy such a fast riser in the pharmaceutical industry, since leaving her original legal career, shines throughout this vibrant conversation. They discuss Wendy’s journey as a leader, and how her focus has shifted, over time, from practicing leadership to preparing others to be great leaders; why empathy has a lot to do with understanding gaps between intention and impact; and the crucial role of...2022-12-1345 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldMarshall Goldsmith | Developing and growing into a great leader/ Episode 2In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Maril and renowned author and leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith continue their discussion about Marshall’s book, The Earned Life. In this episode, their focus turns to leadership. They discuss the five key factors about leading today, how leaders can productively disagree; why when you’re leading knowledge workers, you can’t lead by telling; and the value of asking — today — what will matter most to your 95-year-old self. Across Marshall’s insights and anecdotes, the conversation returns repeatedly to the importance of maintaining perspective, trusting the process, telling the truth, and protecti...2022-11-2934 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldMarshall Goldsmith | Leadership lessons from “The Earned Life” / Episode 1In this episode of Let Go & Lead, renowned author and leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith talks with Maril about the hard work of becoming a better leader — work that is, in his words, “incredibly easy to understand and difficult to do.” Across this wide-ranging conversation, Marshall and Maril touch on cognitive dissonance theory, and the “superstition trap” that leaders often fall into. Marshall introduces the idea of happiness as a product of alignment between aspirations, ambitions and day-to-day actions; and the deep mindset shift to go from being a high individual achiever to an effective leader of an organizati...2022-11-1735 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldJeremy Dean | How emotional culture drives transformational changeIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Jeremy Dean, Founder and Master Gamemaker at riders&elephants, talks with Maril about the elephant in the room of corporate culture: emotion. Emotion is core to belief, which is core to motivating people. Yet often, when undertaking a culture change or business transformation, leaders will start by thinking about the values and behaviors they desire; not how they want people to feel. Why is this? Because emotions are hard to talk about. Jeremy’s organization has found success making it easier through an unusual method: “gamifying” the conversation through a card ga...2022-11-0139 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldCeline Schillinger | Dare to Un-lead in a Turbulent WorldIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, accomplished change leader and founder and CEO of We Need Social Celine Schillinger talks with Maril about the relational leadership skills required in today’s business world — and how much those differ from what we’ve been taught to value in leaders. Schillinger, the author of Dare to Un-lead, sees eye-to-eye with Maril’s people-first lens on change leadership. The two discuss the vulnerability and self-effacement required to create movements inside companies, the immense power of co-creating solutions with employees and how often, the best way to improve business outcomes is simpl...2022-10-1856 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldJeppe Hansgaard | Accelerating Change Using the Power of Informal Networks In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Innovisor Founder and CEO Jeppe Hansgaard talks with Maril about how influence really works within organizations. Diving into the field of Organizational Network Analysis (ONA), they discuss the enormous impact that a few employees have on the success of their entire organizations — Innovisor has shown that just 3 percent of your employees can impact up to 90 percent of change — and how rarely leaders can guess who those people really are within their own ranks. Jeppe and Maril explore the different ways that networks change as you progress up organizations; how Gagen’s Six Levers...2022-10-0442 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldNiven Postma | Mastering Office Politics: The Critical Leadership SkillIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, business leader, writer and speaker Niven Postma speaks with Maril about the importance of recognizing and navigating office politics. She and Maril talk about Niven’s journey toward focusing on office politics — one which, ironically enough, began with her getting fired — and proceed into a wide-ranging conversation about the balancing acts of leadership. They discuss the “tough empathy” that leaders must find, what it takes to get politically smart in the workplace and how Niven’s ideas sync with Gagen’s Three Things that Change Everything framework. Learn about: Niven and M...2022-09-2150 min

Next Wave Leadership PodcastMaril Gagen MacDonald, the Founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald, On: Navigating an Oil Spill Response, Turning Navistar Around, and Changing the World One Dysfunctional Company at a TimeMaril Gagen MacDonald is an awarded leader in PR and a pioneer for disciplines that promote corporate collaboration and employee engagement. She is the Founder and CEO of Gagen MacDonald, a strategy execution firm that is intent on connecting the corporate office to frontline employees. Since its foundation in 1998, they have become an award-winning firm that’s worked with notable names such as ADP, Allstate, and McDonald’s. Maril’s background is primarily in communications, having learned many of her skills from leading companies, including Navistar and Bayer. In this episode… What’s the best w...2022-01-2439 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldSeth Godin | Embracing Tension, Impostor Syndrome and Bad IdeasIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, entrepreneur, best-selling author and speaker Seth Godin talks with Maril about reinvention, and we can better lead our teams through change. They discuss the challenge — and benefit — of letting go of sunk costs, the difference between managing and leading change, how impostor syndrome can be a good thing for leaders and why tension is necessary to drive change. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 4:42 The illusion that companies need to let go of 8:17 The mindset that fuels the imagination 9:57 Advice for leaders lead...2021-09-0839 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldDani Brown | The Human Side of Digital TransformationIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Dani Brown, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Whirlpool Corporation, speaks with Maril about the ins and outs of digital transformation. They discuss the vital role that the human side of business plays in all change management, the power of leading with “Why” and the new developments in technology and systems thinking that are helping the most innovative corporations adapt and stay ahead. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 7:08 How to build trust and credibility when leading a transformation 10:21 The importance of list...2021-08-2538 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldJuan Carlos Cruz | The Transformative Power of TruthIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Juan Carlos Cruz, accomplished corporate communications executive and prominent advocate against sex abuse in the Roman Catholic Church, speaks with Maril about the transformative power of truth. They cover how shedding light on the truth of his childhood abuse has helped him grow and thrive; the origins of his advocacy and close friendship with Pope Francis; how purpose and passion beyond work have made him better at his job; and advice for corporate leaders looking to cultivate trust in their cultures and brands. Listen to the full episode below. Learn...2021-08-0435 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldShaunta Vaughn | Leading with your unique gifts to fill a gapIn this episode of Let Go & Lead, Shaunta Vaughn, founder of the women’s leadership forum STRIDE, speaks with Maril about learning to lead using your unique talents. They dive into how the process of honing leadership skills differs for women and men, how Shaunta has launched and continued to nurture STRIDE and the importance of having a “personal board of directors” invested in your success to guide you. Listen to the full episode below. Learn about: 12:25 Principles of the “Old Boys” network that women can borrow 14:41 Taking a group from a lunch-and-learn to a forma...2021-07-1437 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldScott Halford | Pt. 2: Storytelling Techniques for Leaders to InspireIn the second part of his conversation on Let Go & Lead, world-renowned speaker and author Scott Halfordspeaks with Maril about good storytelling put to practice. They dive into strategies for crafting better stories, common pitfalls to avoid when telling them, the importance of mining your life for personal stories and a lot more — all grounded in neuroscience and the goal of better inspiring those we lead. Find the episode below. 2:07 Ways to make strategy presentations more engaging 9:57 The hallmark of a good leader in today’s world 13:21 The mechanics of good stories and what...2021-06-2336 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldScott Halford | Pt. 1: The Neuroscience of Storytelling and LeadershipThe human brain is wired to focus far more on dangers than on positive information. This is a reality business leaders navigate every day, as they work to be intentional, clear and engaging in their communications. It’s also where Scott Halford can help. Scott sees effective storytelling as a key part of leadership, and he believes that with deeper knowledge of neuroscience, we can get a lot better at both. Scott is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, educator and advisor. He works worldwide to educate audiences about emotional intelligence, the neuroscience of achievement, effective performance and the s...2021-06-0936 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldDr. Candace Steele Flippin | Making the Most of a Multigenerational WorkforceA workplace with four to five different generations of employees can be a challenge. Dr. Candace Steele Flippin knows it is also an opportunity. Candace is an expert on the multigenerational workforce, as well as a Senior Vice President and the Chief Communications Officer at Acuity Brands, a leading industrial technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an accomplished communications executive widely recognized for her transformational leadership in the industrial, financial services, medical device, biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Since 2016, Candace has been a Research Fellow at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western...2021-05-2635 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldJohnny C. Taylor, Jr. | Reshaping Our Organizations for Post-Pandemic SuccessFor Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, now is the time to go beyond new policies and procedures at companies. It’s the time where, as a leader, you must re-assess and re-articulate your organization’s unique culture, vision and employee value proposition to attract and keep the best talent. As a global leader on the future of employment, culture and leadership, Johnny is a sought-after voice on an array of matters regarding work, workers and the workplace. He is frequently asked to testify before Cong...2021-05-1237 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldBill Novelli | Blending Courage, Curiosity and Business Smarts to Chart New PathsBill Novelli, the founder of Business for Impact at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, is always asking, “What’s next?” A master of reinvention, Bill’s career has taken him in a number of directions — from helping to create the concept of social marketing to co-founding his own public relations firm, Porter Novelli, to serving as CEO of the AARP. Bill’s latest book, Good Business: The Talk, Fight, Win Way to Change the World, challenges all of us to change the world for the better and is a blueprint for tackling today's critical issues.  In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Bill talks wi...2021-04-2829 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald09. Surviving the Coronavirus, What’s Been WorkingCOVID-19 caught a lot of people with their guard down when it launched a surprise attack on the world. It forced organizations of all types and in all sectors to make sudden, dramatic changes. In addition to taking many lives, the pandemic is destroying jobs, permanently closing businesses, wiping out life savings, opening old societal wounds, shredding opportunities and shattering dreams. In our work, we’ve found some examples of exemplary pandemic responses, told through our core tenets.2020-07-0205 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald08. To ace the latest stress test, take care of your peopleFor those of us who are students of innovation and disruption, the last several months have been like an accelerated graduate-level course. Market dynamics that challenged our intellects and experience earlier this year seem rudimentary compared with the multidimensional problems we’re grappling with now: economic retrenchment, a global pandemic, violent social unrest and other extra-market forces.2020-06-2203 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald07. Amid the Pandemic, Who’s Tending to Your Company’s Culture?The pace and scale of change is stress-testing business systems as never before. While most now believe the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will unfold over an 18- to 24-month period, so far, leadership teams have focused principally on operational matters: employee and customer safety, supply chain disruptions, productivity among sheltering workers, compliance with federal, state and local directives. The success and sustainability of a business has always been a function of its ability to adapt its structure, strategy and culture to emerging internal and external forces. Moreover, these three are inextricably linked.2020-06-1503 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald06. The Building Blocks of TransformationOver the last several months, words like “unprecedented” and “extraordinary” have appeared a lot. For good reason. COVID-19 truly is the ahistorical event those adjectives aim to describe. Yet, while the COVID-19 pandemic is singular and unique, in many ways, it is just further evidence of the accelerating disruption we’ve been forecasting for years.2020-06-0807 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald24: Releasing Control | Danielle MerfeldDanielle Merfeld, Chief Technology Officer for GE Renewable Energy, is a true convener who models shared power and confidently elevates others within her organization. Known for leading teams of experts who possess very different technical expertise than she does, Danielle understands where she adds value to get things done. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Danielle shares techniques for breaking down organizational silos, leading through change, releasing control and igniting debate when leading remotely.2020-06-0233 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald23: Trust & Transparency | Blake JonesWhen Blake Jones co-founded Namasté Solar, he set out to transform both the energy industry and business itself. Determined to build a company that practices conscientious business, Blake and his co-founders wanted to positively impact each stakeholder group, from employees and customers to community, investors, the environment and partners. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Blake shares the key leadership and cultural tenets that have sustained Namasté Solar over the years, as well as what’s changed and evolved as the company has grown and scaled.2020-05-2637 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald22: Igniting Energy | MaryCay Durrant & Michele SkerlMichele Skerl, a renowned horsemanship teacher, horse trainer and breeder, and MaryCay Durrant, a skilled facilitator and sought after executive business transformation coach, share a passion for bringing out the best in leaders through horses. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, MaryCay and Michele reveal how horses can help leaders live into their authenticity, ignite energy and build trust.2020-05-1933 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald21: Building Resilience | Rorke DenverCommander Rorke Denver has led Navy SEAL special-forces missions around the world and run every phase of Navy SEAL training. Today, as Founder of Ever Onward, Rorke uses SEAL principles to call leaders to take action and be bold so they can perform at their highest levels. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Rorke shares stories that underscore the importance of clear decision making, calm and composed leadership, training for extreme scenarios and building mental fortitude to strengthen personal resilience.2020-05-1234 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald05. Global Pandemic Best Practices for the New NormalAs companies begin to think about the “new normal” and what it means for the world of work, Corporate Communication is playing a greater role in driving employee engagement and connecting with employees in innovative ways to help them stay confident and focused while managing the transition. The best ideas address the changing employee experience, the impact of virtual leadership and the critical delivery of timely, relevant and transparent communication. Here are ten tips to get you started right away.2020-05-0606 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald20: Rebel Leadership | Francesca GinoFrancesca Gino, award winning-expert on the psychology of organizations, professor at Harvard Business School and author of “Rebel Talent: Why it Pays to Break the Rules in Work and Life,” shares that not only do rebels have a bad reputation, but they are arguably the best suited to lead business forward in a world of continual disruption. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Francesca shares stories from rebel leaders, tips on how to hire effectively for rebel characteristics and how to spark constructive rebelliousness within an organization.2020-05-0533 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald19: Leading with Joy | Rich SheridanRichard Sheridan, CEO, Co-founder & Chief Storyteller, Menlo Innovations, launched the software firm in 2001 with the intention of creating a joyful work environment that people loved. He knew things could be better and that work could be filled with camaraderie, energy, creativity and productivity. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Rich and Maril discuss how to create and sustain human energy in the workplace, share how leading with joy increases fulfillment and builds trust and offer how anyone can begin making cultural changes within his or her organization.2020-04-2841 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald18: The Purpose of Care | Malaika MyersMalaika Myers, Hyatt’s Chief Human Resources Officer, is a beacon for the company’s purpose: to care for people so they can be their best. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaika shares how Hyatt’s purpose is lived each day, offers practical tips on creating a culture of belonging and challenges us all to turn fear into love.2020-04-2332 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald04. Code Red: What the ER can teach us about triaging crisis communicationsAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we are confronted with nearly every possible public health crisis situation imaginable—from unexpected school closings to shelter in place orders, confirmed cases to fatalities, protecting the essential workers, psychological safety and more. It is new territory for most of us in corporate communications and there’s a lot we can learn from those on the front lines.2020-04-2203 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald17: Adaptive Leadership | James Madara, M.D.Dr. James Madara, CEO and executive vice president of the American Medical Association, joins Maril for the kick-off of Let Go & Lead’s third season. In their conversation, recorded just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, they discuss how the AMA captures and champions physician voices from across the nation. Dr. Madara shares insights on connected power, effectively leading multiple stakeholder groups and adapting to new environments with curiosity and humility.2020-04-1426 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald03. For COVID-19, Showing You Care by Becoming a Better ListenerAs we’re all experiencing in real-time, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely upended the way we do our work and communicate with our teams. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for leaders and organizations to truly listen to their employees and help them navigate the stress and uncertainty of a pandemic.2020-04-1304 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldSeason 3 TrailerWe’re excited to share that the third season of Let Go & Lead will premiere on April 14. We have some fantastic guests for you, including award winning organizational psychologist Francesca Gino, Hyatt’s Chief Human Resources Officer Malaika Myers and U.S. Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the Let Go & Lead community!2020-04-1001 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald02. Listen Up: Active Listening is Essential to Lead Your People through ChangeAs the world continues to cope and learn from COVID-19, we are quickly coming to grips with a new normal for how we connect – and are connected – with others. The backbone of an effective organizational communication system is a well-executed, feedback-rich, and outcomes-driven communication strategy.2020-04-1004 min

Voices of Gagen MacDonald01. For COVID-19, What’s In A MicrositeIn times of crisis, one thing is certain – people will seek information. They’ll search online. They’ll read the news. They’ll ask their friends and family. They’ll check their social networks. They’ll even rely on their employers for guidance. And in times of significant crisis, like the one we’re living in right now – people are not just seeking information – they are demanding it.2020-04-0106 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald16. The Power of Purpose | Tom WilsonTom Wilson, Chair, President and CEO of Allstate, is passionate about the purpose of individuals and the purpose of business. He recently shared the stage with Maril at an Executives’ Club of Chicago event. Their conversation, released here as the Season 2 finale of Let Go & Lead, dives into leading through change, balancing visionary leadership with detail oriented execution, making effective decisions and of course, leading with purpose at Allstate.2019-11-1935 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald15. The Heart of Transformation | Jenn HulettJenn Hulett, Vice President of People for Ericsson North America, shares her region’s transformation story. Following a downturn, and harnessing the team’s energy and readiness to change, Jenn led the development of the team’s transformation strategy, putting the business on a path to long-term success. In this episode, Jenn shares how this journey began, progressed and also coincided with her own personal transformation journey.2019-11-1234 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald14. Building Coalitions | Devry Boughner VorwerkDevry Boughner Vorwerk, CEO of DevryBV Sustainable Strategies and former head of Global Corporate Affairs and Communication at Cargill, is known for her courageous leadership and expertise building coalitions at the intersection of government, NGOs and the private sector. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Devry shares what makes a successful coalition, the distinction between a coalition and a movement and how she sees the future of leadership.2019-11-0525 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald13. Leading with Intention | Peggy AlfordPeggy Alford, SVP of Core Markets at PayPal, has had a big year. She returned to PayPal after a stint with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and was named to Facebook’s Board of Directors. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Peggy, who is known for curating strong, diverse, high performing teams, shares her tips on leading, coaching and mentoring others in today’s world of accelerated digital transformation and growth.2019-10-2932 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald12. Finding Fulfillment | Dave HollisDave Hollis, CEO of The Hollis Company, gets to work alongside his wife, New York Times best-selling author Rachel Hollis, every day. As a senior executive at the Walt Disney Company, Dave had a career that looked great on paper, yet deep down he yearned for something deeper. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Dave shares his journey from Disney to The Hollis Company, how he’s moving from a fixed mindset to growth mindset and how success must be defined by oneself, not others.2019-10-2231 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald11. The Competitive Advantage of Culture | Ginger HardageGinger Hardage, CEO of Unstoppable Cultures and former SVP of Culture at Southwest Airlines, knows a thing or two about building and sustaining the healthy, authentic and world-famous organizational culture at Southwest. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Ginger showcases how deliberately investing in culture can differentiate an organization, build authentic brand zealots and deliver positive business results.2019-10-1529 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald10. Transformational Leadership | Jeff JonesJeff Jones, CEO of H&R Block, is leading the company through a massive cultural transformation. He’s redefining leadership expectations in surprising and inspiring ways, setting a tone and activating a culture. Drawing on his experiences at Target, Uber and Coca-Cola, Jeff is taking his team on a journey unlike any before.2019-10-0836 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald9. The Science of Perfect Timing | Dan PinkDaniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author, joins Maril as she kicks off Let Go & Lead’s second season. They discuss the research behind Dan’s latest book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, which examines the psychology, biology and economics of timing. Dan shares his top timing tips for leaders, what business leaders can learn from choral singers and more.2019-10-0130 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonaldSeason 2 TrailerWe’re thrilled to share that the second season of Let Go & Lead will premiere on October 1. Each Tuesday, look for new interviews with featured guests, including New York Times Best Selling Author Daniel Pink, H&R Block CEO Jeff Jones and PayPal SVP and Facebook Director Peggy Alford. Thanks for listening and for being a part of the Let Go & Lead community!2019-09-2400 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald8. The Potential of People Analytics | Michael J. WalshPeople analytics expert Michael Walsh helps organizations improve employee retention, rethink succession planning and elevate talent through data. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Michael and Maril discuss what a strong people analytics team looks like, why it’s critical not to broad-brush demographic assumptions and how people analytics can strengthen diversity and inclusion efforts.2019-06-1830 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald7. Elevating All | Kristy WallaceKristy Wallace, CEO of the Ellevate Network, is passionate about partnering with businesses to create true cultures of inclusion. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Kristy shares how leaders can take a big step toward creating a culture where all types of people can succeed by making a few simple behavior changes.2019-06-0434 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald6. Systems Start with Self | Darcy WinslowDarcy Winslow, President & Founder of the Academy for Systems Change, found her calling after leading five large-scale change efforts at Nike. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, Darcy and Maril talk all things systems thinking and leadership, including the importance of embracing a creative orientation, navigating the complex vs. complicated and that leaders are not defined by jobs or companies, but shaped by their purpose and work.2019-05-2131 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald5. Creating Shared Power | John RenehanJohn Renehan, Pratt & Whitney Executive Director of Digital Solutions, is a practitioner of leadership. In actively establishing spaces for open dialogue, listening to others and elevating the experts in the room, John creates a culture of shared power in the workplace. In this episode of Let Go & Lead, John and Maril discuss his guiding leadership practices, the importance of embracing humanity in the midst of change and how simple gestures can result in powerful outcomes.2019-05-0741 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald4. Cutting through the Chaos | Glenda EoyangGlenda Eoyang, Founding Executive Director of the Human Systems Dynamics Institute, helps leaders build up their capacity for chaos. In using models and methods to understand patterns of chaos, Glenda shares how organizations can best navigate forward using practical, predictable structures.2019-04-2327 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald3. Nonprofit is a tax status, not a business model | Dorri McWhorterDorri McWhorter, CEO of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, shares her journey of evolving the 140-year old social service agency into a 21st century social enterprise. In the third episode of Let Go & Lead, Dorri reveals how she led her team through this transformation, growing the $10 million organization, which was losing $1 million a year, into the vibrant, robust, $23 million enterprise it is today.2019-04-0931 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald2. Kabbage Heads | Kathryn PetraliaKathryn Petralia, President & co-founder of Kabbage, shares her story of creating a compassionate culture that defies hierarchy, embraces individuality and celebrates humanity. In the second episode of Let Go & Lead, Kathryn reflects on her leadership journey, explores how culture and values manifest and reveals how employers can screen for self-awareness.2019-03-2616 min

Let Go & Lead with Maril MacDonald1. The Science of Purpose | Aaron HurstAaron Hurst, expert on the science of purpose at work, joins Maril for the launch episode of Let Go & Lead. Aaron’s the CEO and co-founder of Imperative, a technology platform for leaders in the new economy. Maril and Aaron talk all things purpose, meaning and fulfillment. Aaron shares his story, debunks the most common myths of purpose and reveals his groundswell movement towards a world full of workplaces with fulfilled employees.2019-03-0239 min