Leadership Forum: The Podcast

Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, business lawyer and bestselling author, knows that mutual understanding leads to a workable path forward in times of conflict. He's developed a recipe for successful negotiation, which he shares through his podcast, “Negotiate Anything,” and two bestselling books, “Finding Confidence in Conflict” and “How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race.” His recommendations: Diffuse strong emotions by asking questions to understand and acknowledge others' perspectives to set a foundation for effective communication. Create a connection by listening well and empathizing and building trust. Then, persuade action through compassion, conversational leadership and joint problem-solving.

Todd Suddeth, founder and director of Equity Leadership Consulting, explains that knowing the difference will help you turn your interactions, relationships and organization into much more of a transformative versus a transactional environment. Suddeth and a Glenn College senior lecturer, said that while a manager works toward performance outcomes, goals and system improvement, a leader uses communication, influence, energy and motivation to show people why their organization's mission is valuable. A leader develops trusting relationships, mentors and coaches people, and helps them determine how to best utilize the talents and strengths they have. It takes patience, he said, to do the hard work of getting to learn the people and the organization and then to use emotional intelligence and communication to inspire and lead with a shared vision so everyone moves the organization forward.

As the executive director of Cleveland's Police Accountability Team, Leigh Anderson leads the city's final implementation of its consent decree and ensures progress toward cultural change within the police department. Her team establishes strong relationships with the many collaborators among the U.S. Department of Justice, which entered into the consent decree with the city in 2015 when it determined the police engaged in excessive use of force; the police department; city entities including public health and community relations; and community organizations. Complicating the matter are issues of turnover, continuity and morale as the effort extends multiple years. She explains how she leads her team to commit to and accomplish the goals through time management, task prioritization, accountability and making sure she and her team invest in themselves emotionally, mentally and physically.

The Leadership Podcast welcomes Alison Goebel, executive director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center, for a policy analysis of demographic and economic trends reflecting high growth in the Columbus area while much of the state shows legacy areas with aging populations, marginal population change and slow income growth. Goebel outlines ways the state as a whole could be much stronger with differentiated and context-sensitive policymaking. Strategies, she says, include creating vibrant downtowns, preserving the housing stock and supporting the residents of legacy places in creating businesses and job opportunities. State policies could assist with matching funds for federal grants, comprehensive planning services and easier processes to create the parity that then helps all communities compete in the future.

Erika Clark Jones, the CEO of the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH), leads a workforce that's a highly demanded superpower: community behavioral health providers. She explains how ADAMH helps community agencies compete with the likes of hospitals, schools, insurance companies to hire and retain culturally competent employees. Among their tools: tapping into altruistic motives of giving back to the community; supporting paid internships or practicum placements; helping agencies provide a supportive work environment; providing workers with micro-credentials and leadership training for learning and career growth; and leveraging state resources and working to change public policy by lobbying at the statehouse.

Ohio election officials face increasing challenges in balancing integrity and access, made even harder by technology developments, shifts in legal dynamics and strong skepticism — all resulting in a staff turnover of 10% to 15% per year. Aaron Ockerman, president of Ockerman Consulting and executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials, however, calls the job a noble calling that contributes to the country's democracy. He explains how election leaders address recruitment and retention by providing resources and opportunities for professional development, certification and skill development; mentorship; and a pipeline for new employees to work their way up the ladder.

Lydia Mihalik translates her experience as a top leader — former mayor of Findlay, Ohio — to her position as director of the Ohio Department of Development, where she's adjusted to not only managing a team but also supporting Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in their leadership roles. She does that by serving others at her highest capacity, making the best use of available resources and systems, and, most importantly, surrounding herself with a great team. Cultivating collaborations, she prioritizes relationships and seeks solutions for both parties to build a reputation of trust to last beyond her administration.

As Ohio's director of public safety, Andy Wilson leads people committed to serving their communities. He believes every organization has energy lying dormant that, when tapped, will inspire and motivate team members — and, in turn, the leaders themselves. Hear how he develops a leadership culture by reaffirming the mission of these public servants and helping them be the best versions of themselves through empowerment, training and mentorship.

With more than 30 years in Ohio public office and charitable and civic involvement, Betty Montgomery believes it's the responsibility of public sector leaders to listen to and learn from the people you're working with and the people impacted by your decisions. For leaders, she says, compromise is key, keeping in mind that you need to measure yourself against your own values, play the long game to reach your ultimate mission, and realize that sometimes you have to say no. You're never going to be able to get 100% of what you want, she says, because you're not always 100% right. The board chair of the Jo Ann Davidson Leadership Institute, Montgomery advises women to break down barriers by finding their voice; leading in their communities, churches and schools; and then taking that leadership and experience and stepping into the public arena.

Ellie Valentine knows what it's like to be an outsider in a position of leadership. Having led parliamentary strengthening programs around the world, she now works with Winrock International helping governments, NGOs and the private sector in Central Asia to prevent human trafficking and promote safe migration. Often operating in contexts where her role as a female leader is novel, she builds trust and credibility by starting from a position of respect for the cultural and historical environment. Listening is imperative, she says, for brainstorming ideas, deliberating outcomes and building partnerships with local counterparts to determine their needs for capacity strengthening, education, resources and tools.

Mo Wright hopes anyone who works in the public sector does so with a servant-leader mentality. He builds up other leaders through his business, RAMA Consulting, and community organizations such as the African American Leadership Academy. His advice: Live your life by design and not default: Know what you want, why you want it and what you're willing to sacrifice to get it. Then, to create a mission-focused culture, model your passion. Manage effectively by keeping your finger on the pulse of your workers to understand where they're coming from. And maintain both a microscopic and telescopic perspective: Watch performance indicators, but keep your eyes on the horizon to anticipate large-scale organizational shifts.

Aftab Pureval, mayor of Cincinnati, sees opportunity for building back the strength of our democracy through local offices. Hear how the leadership nuances in persuasion, collaboration, risk tolerance and more give him the opportunity and platform to improve the lives of Cincinnatians.

As the past city manager of Sanibel Island, Florida, Judie Zimomra has great insight into a local government's response to and recovery from crisis. On the heels of Hurricane Ian, Zimomra shares with us ways analyses of past crises and efficient use of modern technology enable stronger preparation and response. Other considerations toward a faster recovery, she says: competent local government, solid and talented employees, and proper disaster education and information dissemination for the public.

Ray Justice, administrator for learning and talent development in the Ohio's Department of Administrative Services, knows how continuous learning — connected to employees' passion for their particular area of public service — supports recruitment and retention. He shares tips for leaders to show their own commitment to professional development, provide their team with relevant practical applications and demonstrate the positive results to foster employee engagement and fulfillment.

In our latest Leadership Forum: The POWERcast, Elizabeth Edwards, founder and managing partner of H Venture Partners, shares how policymakers and investors can demand that companies factor into their operations good environmental and social standards as well as diversity and transparency in governance. Brands with a strong sense of purpose tend to attract quality employees, more consumers and better supplier partnerships — and outperform other companies in investment returns. 

As a scientist, educator and president and CEO of Columbus' Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Frederic Bertley applies the organization's motto — “Science is Everywhere and for Everyone” — to leadership. He meets the audience where they are to form effective connections and creates synergistic partnerships for indelible results. By following the scientific practices of achieving clarity through data, analysis and objectivity, he says, you can get to “next” in a very powerful way. 

Reginald Wilkinson, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, now advocates for higher education, including as an Ohio State University trustee. He discusses the parallels in any leadership position — higher education, prisons, hospitals, the military — and the responsibility to make sure anyone who enters your organization leaves better off. Tune in as he explains how leaders can influence change toward social justice. 

Transformative change in our communities requires innovative, committed leaders. In this Leadership Forum: The POWERcast, Erica Crawley, president of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and Elizabeth Martinez, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio, share how leading with authenticity, bringing community voices to the table, finding collaborative partnerships and taking risks all result in sustainable success.

Irv Dennis, former CFO of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, discusses how leaders can navigate the most difficult bureaucracies to get things done. He shares the core areas — governance, people, process and technology — that leaders should evaluate to understand an organization's strengths and weaknesses. Leveraging those findings, you can plan structural change, motivate your team, improve policies and procedures and build resources toward success. 

Experts on the gender pay gap and its impact on our communities, Barbara Smoot and Rep. Monique Smith know the barriers in standing up for change. In this Leadership Forum: The POWERcast, these women share tips and tools to help you gain confidence — whether you're battling daily challenges such as public speaking or leading organizational transformations, including fair pay practices.

Kathy Sullivan learned early in her career at NASA that it was much too risky to be a “yes person” just to appease someone's ego — passivity could lead to dangerous consequences. Her varied experiences and leadership roles have taught her that courage and confidence in our authority as leaders can change the way we communicate and, therefore, the way our team responds to us. Tune in as Sullivan discusses actions that define leadership and ways to develop an environment where everyone can blossom and work collectively toward mission success.

Tracie Ransom advocates for diversity, equity, inclusion and allyship that moves beyond performative proclamations to authentic actions. In this conversation, she divulges her expertise for leaders to strategically direct organizations to diverse, inclusive excellence. Learn about the business case for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); steps for strategic implementation of DEI goals; how to measure success; and how to bring your team along with you — especially in the face of opposition.

At the Volcker Alliance, Tom Ross works to support current and aspiring public servants. Throughout his career, he has led with empathy, understanding that each of his decisions impact people and their lives. In this episode, he shares his equation for successful leadership: Be honest, gather feedback, know yourself, embrace diversity, and empower the talent around you. 

Women are impacted by the world differently. These diverse experiences help women form unique leadership styles, which are becoming more essential in public service workplaces and beyond. The inspirational Wendy Smooth and Stacy Rastauskas join Tina Pierce for our first Leadership Forum: The POWERcast, which focuses on challenges specific to women leaders. This powerful panel shares ways to find your passion and get started in public service and how they have channeled their unique experiences into leadership growth.  Stacy Rastauskas, vice president for government affairs at The Ohio State University  Wendy Smooth, associate professor of women's, gender and sexuality studies, College of Arts and Sciences; and associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, Office of Academic Affairs, Ohio State Tina Pierce, POWER program manager and senior lecturer, John Glenn College of Public Affairs 

Steve Stivers' leadership style has evolved throughout his years as an Ohio Army National Guard soldier and major general, a congressman and now a CEO. In this conversation with Dean Brown, he shares the important leadership lessons he has learned in his career, how he guides diverse teams to win-win solutions, and critical lessons in communication from the military that help him gain and maintain trust as a leader today.