The Leadership Pause
In this episode of The Leadership Pause, host Neil Jacobs turns to an unexpected source for insights about leadership - the world of animal behavior. Listen as he explores the learning human leaders can derive from non-humans with guest Dr. Robert Shumaker, evolutionary biologist and CEO at the Indianapolis Zoo. Gain rare insights into how understanding animal behavior and cognition can enhance human leadership and recognize the parallels and distinctions with your own ways of leading. Explore the dynamic interplay of collaboration and self-interest, inspired by the majestic...
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In this episode, hosts Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich discuss the upsides and pitfalls of pursuing likability in leadership. They are joined by HR executive Deeena Goodman, Vice President and HR Business Partner at PGIM Real Estate. Deena shares her insights and experiences on the topic from a number of vantage points including her work in the People function and her background as a licensed clinical social work and a singer-songwriter. The episode addresses the significance of likability in the context of leadership, its implications on influence and power, and how it interacts...
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Join us for Episode 5 of The Leadership Pause as we explore the pivotal role of difficult conversations in leadership, featuring insights from our esteemed guest, Dr. Robin Dean. Listen in as we navigate the necessity and impact of these challenging dialogues both professionally and personally. We start with our show hosts sharing their Pause of the Month. Neil Jacobs highlights a transformative team exercise where leaders took time to explore their best selves and unlock their potential. Meanwhile, Dr. Taylere Markewich shares a story of a client who strategically paused to consider long-term...
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What if embracing the role of a scientist could transform your leadership style? Join us as we unravel the unexpected events of 2024, a year that raised big questions about leadership across the globe. We kick off the conversation talking about the year's patterns and trends in leadership and organizations - what we thought would happen and what did happen. We discuss the evolving role of AI, for now not the job-stealing menace predicted at the start of the year. 2024 was the year of elections with half the world’s population going to the polls. Reflecting on the global political...
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Hosts Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich, PhD welcome guest Tessa Breslin to The Leadership Pause to discuss the ins and outs of being on more than one leadership team. Tessa is an organizational psychologist and an expert in leadership, consulting to iconic organizations around the world. Prior to starting Breslin Consulting in Northern Ireland she was a Managing Director and on the board of a global leadership consulting firm. She is the Vice Chair of Queen’s University Foundation and a non-executive director. Tessa shares her unique insights drawn from 25 years coaching...
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Balancing the line between structure and freedom in leadership can feel like walking a tightrope. In this episode we explore the concept of "not too tight, not too loose," as it applies to leadership development, organizations, and communities. We dive into the ways leaders can foster environments that are open yet grounded, and how self-awareness, reading your environment, and intentionality play a crucial role in this balance. Our conversation also takes a historical turn, tracing the evolution of communal living from the experimental communes of the 1960s to the gated communities of...
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Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Leadership Pause. In this kick-off session, hosts Neil Jacobs, CPsychol and Dr. Taylere Markewich PhD delve into the pivotal concept of taking a leadership pause. They discuss the importance of reflection, perspective-taking, and sense-making in effective leadership, contrasting the dangers of hubris, risk aversion, and overconfidence. Filled with robust discussion, this episode offers a deep dive into why stopping to reflect can catapult leaders forward, regardless of their industry or position within an organization. Neil opens up about the...
info_outlineIn this episode, hosts Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich discuss the upsides and pitfalls of pursuing likability in leadership. They are joined by HR executive Deeena Goodman, Vice President and HR Business Partner at PGIM Real Estate. Deena shares her insights and experiences on the topic from a number of vantage points including her work in the People function and her background as a licensed clinical social work and a singer-songwriter.
The episode addresses the significance of likability in the context of leadership, its implications on influence and power, and how it interacts with competence. The hosts explore societal and generational trends in likability and discuss the gender disparities that influence perceptions of competence and likeability. Listener to the podcast receive practical tips, emphasizing the importance of balancing genuine connection and expertise. The episode reflects on how even some of the toughest, most performance-driven organizational cultures have shifted to value empathy, openness and authenticity in leadership.
About Deena Goodman
Deena began her career in HR in 2012, when she launched her executive coaching practice, combining her background in Public Relations, acting, and clinical social work to help leaders enhance their executive presence and learn to lead with influence. Since 2018, Deena has worked exclusively for PGIM Real Estate, Prudential’s Global Real Estate Investment platform, where she leads the HR Function for the US Equity business and global corporate functions as well as PGIM Private Alternative’s Business Development platform. This opportunity has widened Deena’s exposure to leaders across functions and solidified Deena’s passion for working with leadership to drive business objectives forward through a thoughtful approach to talent development and organizational design. Prior to her work in the world of leadership development, Deena spent her days writing and playing music in New York City and Los Angeles and then working in the field of Clinical Social Work treating adolescents with severe mental health diagnoses. For this reason, Deena continues to be a big proponent of diversity in the workplace and knows that varied life and work experience leads to better business outcomes. Deena lives in South Orange, New Jersey with her husband, Josh, and three kids who keep her on her toes on a day to day basis.