Othman's Leadership Podcast

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Michael Segovia, Principal Consultant at the Myers-Briggs Company and a 38-year practitioner of personality type science, to explore how leaders can use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to understand themselves more deeply, communicate across difference, and build teams where people don't just coexist — they thrive. Michael brings a rare combination of personal vulnerabilit...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Dr. Ryan Rosiello, Manager of Leadership Development at United Natural Foods (UNFI), to explore how journey mapping — a practice most leaders have never thought to apply — can fundamentally change the way organizations design experiences for the people they're developing. Ryan breaks down journey mapping not as a design tool, but as a leadership mindset: one that forces yo...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Joe Connolly, Executive Director of the Saint Thomas More Chapel and Center at Yale University, to explore what servant leadership looks like when it's lived — not just taught. Joe has spent decades leading at the intersection of healthcare, community service, and mission-driven work, and in this conversation he opens up about how he discovered his calling, how he builds c...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Dr. Madeline Negrón, the first Hispanic superintendent of New Haven Public Schools, to explore what it truly means to lead a district of nearly 19,000 students through financial pressure, community trust deficits, and a bold 2029 vision — without ever losing sight of the child in the room. This conversation is strategic, vulnerable, and deeply practical. Dr. Negrón shares...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Dr. Teresa Hill, Superintendent of South Holland School District 151 and author of The Instructional Leader’s Guide to Closing Achievement Gaps, to explore why achievement gaps persist—even in schools led by committed, hard-working educators. In this practical and strategic conversation, Dr. Hill challenges leaders to look beyond programs and structures and focus on the ac...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Gabrielle Dolan, international keynote speaker and author of Story Intelligence, to explore how leaders can move from “I’m not a storyteller” to confidently using simple, authentic stories to clarify their message, influence others, and drive action. In this practical and energizing conversation, Gabrielle explains why storytelling is not a talent reserved for a few—it’s a...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Dr. Andrea Carter, organizational scientist and CEO of Belonging First, to explore why belonging is not a “soft” concept—but a measurable leadership system that directly drives performance, trust, and retention. Drawing on large-scale research across industries, Dr. Carter explains how belonging functions as performance infrastructure, shaped by five measurable indicators:...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Frank Levesque, founder of Rockstar Training and Coaching, to explore what truly drives sustained behavior change in leaders and why so many well-intentioned development efforts fail to stick. Drawing on his experience as an HR leader, coach, and entrepreneur, Frank breaks down the gap between leadership training, performance reviews, and real, measurable change in day-to-...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Amanda Thayer, Administrator of the Early Childhood Initiative at Holyoke Community College, to explore what mindful leadership truly looks like in real, everyday work—not as a buzzword, but as a disciplined, practical way of leading under pressure. In this thoughtful and deeply human conversation, Amanda reframes mindfulness as an active leadership skill rooted in presenc...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Jesse White, Principal of Bloomfield High School, to explore what it truly takes to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Drawing from years of leadership, preaching, and public speaking, Jesse offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on why effective communication is less about performance and more about presence, intention, and understanding the people in fr...

Dr. Reda Othman sat with Dr. Miko Nino, Assistant Vice President for Adult & Online Education at Rhode Island College, to explore how leaders can move beyond symbolic gestures and make inclusion truly practical. In this deep, thoughtful conversation, Dr. Nino shares what he’s learned from roles spanning conference interpretation, online learning leadership, and directing diverse teams across highe...

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Maryellen Manning, Chief of Staff at New Britain Public Schools, to explore the real dynamics behind collaboration that works — and the pitfalls that make it fall apart. Maryellen shares deep, experience-tested insights from leading through major district initiatives, crisis response, curriculum overhauls, and cross-departmental change....

In this heartfelt episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Michael Merline, Learning Experience Design Consultant at Citizens Bank, to explore the quiet strength of gratitude in leadership. Michael shares how being raised with values of kindness and authenticity shaped his leadership philosophy—and how showing genuine appreciation can transform teams, build trust, and...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Laurie Shanderson—founder and CEO of Accreditation Insights—joins Dr. Reda Othman to explore how data becomes a catalyst for leadership and change when paired with storytelling. Dr. Shanderson shares her early lessons in using data to uncover hidden insights, the common mistake leaders make when they shape data to fit their narrative, and how to...

In the final part of my conversation with Dr. Rick Bailey—founder of RHB Consulting and author of Coherence: How Telling the Truth Will Advance Your Cause—we dive deep into branding, positioning, and the courage it takes for leaders to own their truth. Dr. Bailey shares the transformation story of Agnes Scott College, showing how clarity of mission, vision, and values can turn an overlooked instit...

In this second installment of my conversation with Dr. Rick Bailey—founder of RHB Consulting and author of Coherence: How Telling the Truth Will Advance Your Cause—we turn to an often-overlooked force in leadership: gratitude. Dr. Bailey shares powerful stories of how gratitude fuels energy, strengthens relationships, and transforms organizational culture. From his team’s moving holiday tradition...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Rick Bailey, founder of RHB Consulting and author of Coherence: How Telling the Truth Will Advance Your Cause, shares powerful lessons from his three decades of leadership. With honesty and humility, Dr. Bailey reflects on the moment he confronted his own blind spots around diversity, the courage it took to admit his mistakes to his team, and the...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Nora Osman, a global advisor, keynote speaker, and coach with expertise across healthcare, technology, and finance. Nora reframes “customer experience” as “human experience,” emphasizing that whether we serve employees or customers, the goal is the same: to create meaningful, positive interactions. She shares powerful s...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most underdeveloped yet essential leadership skills: measuring impact. Our guest, Dr. Alaina Szlachta, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions and the author of Measurement & Evaluation on a Shoestring (ATD Press). With clarity, candor, and real-world stories, Dr. Szlachta helps education leaders navigate how to...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Nikki Vassallo, President of the ATD Central Massachusetts Chapter and a seasoned learning and development leader, for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lead by example. Nikki shares hard-earned wisdom and honest reflections on how leaders can shift from being doers to being developers. She unpacks: How...

In this powerful episode of Othman's Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Dr. Carol Birks, Superintendent of Allentown School District and a 2025 Women of Influence honoree. Together, they explore how empathy, data, equity, and bold innovation intersect in school leadership. Dr. Birks reflects candidly on public failures, community trust-building, her strategic entry plan, and t...

In this episode of Othman’s Leadership Podcast, Dr. Reda Othman sits down with Dr. Jono Hey—creator of Sketchplanations and author of Big Ideas, Little Pictures—to explore how we can lead, learn, and connect more deeply by making ideas simple, visual, and human. Jono opens up about his process of turning complex topics into clear, memorable sketches, and shares the mindset behind effective communi...

Lead by Design: Building Trust, Empathy, and Impact with Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson (Part 4 of 4) In the final episode of this 4-part series, I’m joined once again by the extraordinary Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson—Provost Emerita, Distinguished Professor, and author of IngenioUs Leadership—for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lead by design. Dr. Morriss-Olson breaks down the mindset a...

In Part 3 of our 4-part leadership series, I reconnect with the inspiring Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson—Provost Emerita, Distinguished Professor, and author of IngenioUs Leadership—to explore one of today’s most urgent leadership imperatives: innovation. Dr. Morriss-Olson challenges the myth that innovation only happens in crisis. Instead, she shares how the most effective leaders make reinvention a d...

In Part 2 of our 4-part series, I continue my conversation with the brilliant Dr. Melissa Morriss-Olson, Provost Emerita, Distinguished Professor of Higher Education Leadership, and author of IngenioUs Leadership: Creating Solutions to Wicked Problems in Higher Education. This episode centers on a powerful truth: Purpose is more than a mission statement—it’s a compass for courageous leadership. Dr...