Leadership Forum: The Podcast

John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University

Be inspired. Stay engaged. Reach your goals. Tune in to Leadership Forum – The Podcast, a new podcast series offering guidance and inspiration for public and nonprofit professionals. Listen as experts who have walked in your shoes share leadership tips, advice for achieving your career goals and stories about leading positive change in the world. The podcast advances the mission of the Glenn College and its Leadership Forum conference by supporting public service professionals who want to grow in their careers and by nurturing passion for public service throughout the year. POWERcast Episodes feature women leading in public and nonprofit organizations and their stories of overcoming challenges unique to women in politics and public service. Produced by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. read less

Our Editor's Take

Leadership Forum: The Podcast shares conversations with leaders serving the public good. Host Trevor Brown is the dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. The college and podcast's desire is simple-to inspire citizenship and develop leadership.

Podcast host Trevor Brown has been on Ohio State's faculty since 2001. He specializes in organizational theory, public management, and performance management. Brown is president of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. The organization promotes public service in higher education. The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing named him 2013's Scholar of the Year. Brown has also won several awards for his publications.

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs knows students will improve the world. Its educational programming hopes to create tomorrow's public and nonprofit leaders. The school asks its students and faculty to consider how they'll make the world better. The podcast opens this challenge to a larger audience.

Each episode features a conversation between Brown and a guest. One such guest is Mo Wright, who joins to discuss community organizations and servant leadership. As president of RAMA Companies, he practices his advice in his many roles. Wright insists people need to know what they want and why. They also must be ready to make sacrifices along the way.

Ray Justice joins another episode. He works for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Justice talks about the value of professional development. It's more than a practice-it's a culture. When leaders show their commitment to growing, everyone benefits.

In a "POWERcast" episode, the founder and managing partner of H Venture Partners comes on. Elizabeth Edwards shares how investors and policymakers contribute to social change. She says, brands with strong values and a clear purpose are more successful. They're also beneficial to the world.

The Leadership Forum: The Podcast offers advice on being a leader in the public sector. It also demonstrates how nonprofit leaders create initiatives and partnerships that help communities. New episodes usually air about once a month.

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A Recipe for Negotiation
May 13 2024
A Recipe for Negotiation
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.

Episodes

A Recipe for Negotiation
May 13 2024
A Recipe for Negotiation
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.
Are You a Leader or a Manager?
Feb 13 2024
Are You a Leader or a Manager?
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.
Managing and Leading in a Complicated Collaboration Environment
Nov 13 2023
Managing and Leading in a Complicated Collaboration Environment
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.
Policy Analysis: Ohio Demographic and Economic Trends
Oct 10 2023
Policy Analysis: Ohio Demographic and Economic Trends
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.
Building Workforce in a Competitive Environment
Sep 11 2023
Building Workforce in a Competitive Environment
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.
Recruiting, Retaining Employees When the Going Gets Tough
Aug 8 2023
Recruiting, Retaining Employees When the Going Gets Tough
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.
Developing a Culture of Empowerment and Trust
Jun 13 2023
Developing a Culture of Empowerment and Trust
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.
Cultivating Public Service Leadership
May 9 2023
Cultivating Public Service Leadership
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.
Leading when Compromise is Crucial
Apr 10 2023
Leading when Compromise is Crucial
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.
Leading as an Outsider
Mar 20 2023
Leading as an Outsider
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.
Keys to Servant Leadership in the Public Sector
Feb 7 2023
Keys to Servant Leadership in the Public Sector
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.
Building Blocks for a Career in Public Leadership
Jan 10 2023
Building Blocks for a Career in Public Leadership
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.
Leadership and Crisis Management
Nov 9 2022
Leadership and Crisis Management
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.
Building a Culture of Professional Development
Oct 5 2022
Building a Culture of Professional Development
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.
POWERcast: Investing in Diversity and Public Purpose
Sep 6 2022
POWERcast: Investing in Diversity and Public Purpose
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.
The Science of Leadership
Jul 29 2022
The Science of Leadership
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.
Fostering Reform through Leadership
Jul 18 2022
Fostering Reform through Leadership
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.
POWERcast: Anticipating and Leading Through Social Change
May 25 2022
POWERcast: Anticipating and Leading Through Social Change
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.
Four Core Keys to Navigating Bureaucracy
Apr 30 2022
Four Core Keys to Navigating Bureaucracy
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.
POWERcast: Advocate for Yourself, Your Team and Your Community
Mar 31 2022
POWERcast: Advocate for Yourself, Your Team and Your Community
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.