Innovating Leadership: Co-Creating Our Future

Guest: Doug McCollough, CEO of Color Coded Labs What does leadership require once you have real influence? Then how do you attract top talent to your team?   In this episode, Maureen Metcalf is joined by Doug McCullough, a senior technology leader working across smart cities, workforce development, and community-based talent pipelines.Their conversation moves beyond surface-level discussions of diversity and inclusion to examine leadership as a system. Together, they explore how power changes obligation, why many talent pipelines remain broken despite high demand, and what it means for leaders to “get out of the room.”   You’ll learn: How the power dynamic in hiring has changed The role of reputation, sponsorship, and presence in attracting and developing talent How leaders can extend influence beyond their organizations What senior leaders inherit—and reinforce—when they don’t intervene.   This is a candid, practical conversation for leaders thinking seriously about talent, succession, and the long-term impact of their leadership.   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Self-Awareness: The #1 Predictor of Leadership Success with Belinda Gore - When Women Lead: Courage, Change, & Representation with Congressperson Joyce Beatty - What’s the Point? Why Your Leadership Needs Purpose with Ryan Gottfredson For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   For more on Doug’s organization, Color Coded Labs, check their website at https://www.colorcodedlabs.com/.   The interview Doug referenced which featured Joyce Beatty is on Podbean at https://innovatingleadership.podbean.com/e/joycebeatty/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Doug McCollough has established himself as an advocate for diversity in technology. With over 20 years in technical and leadership roles in state government, Smart Cities, and nonprofits, Doug now serves as CEO of coding bootcamp Color Coded Labs and Executive Director of The Beta District, where he is a thought leader on initiatives as varied as smart mobility, broadband expansion, and blockchain in government. As a cofounder of Black Tech Columbus, he is passionate about extending the many opportunities of the technology industry to the pool of under-tapped talent sitting under our noses.

Guests: Sarah Mathew (VP, Delivery Experience) & Kara Hurst (Chief Sustainability Officer) of Amazon How do you lead responsibly at scale in a world defined by complexity? In this episode, Amazon executives Kara Hurst and Sarah Mathew share how they approach some of the most pressing challenges in global business today: climate impact, water scarcity, customer expectations, AI-driven energy demands, and improving delivery across thousands of communities.   Drawing on real examples from Amazon’s climate pledge, same-day delivery expansion, and customer-driven innovation, Kara and Sarah illuminate three capabilities every future-ready leader must master: Innovating at scale to create real-world impact Using customer signals to drive operational and strategic decisions Leading with transparency to accelerate trust and cross-industry progress.   You’ll hear how Amazon uses sustainability as a strategic lever, why anecdotes often reveal enterprise-level problems, how new features reached 50+ million uses in a month, and why transparency (NOT secrecy) is becoming a defining leadership advantage.   If you’re an executive navigating transformation, ESG expectations, or large-scale systems change, this episode offers a rare inside look at leadership in a decisive decade.   Other episodes exploring Amazon: - Logistics as Lifelines: Amazon’s Disaster Relief Programs with Bettina Stix & Andrea Fava - Tech with Purpose: Protecting People with Innovation with Aaron Parness & Beryl Tomay - How Moonshots & Robots Put Packages on Your Porch with Steve Armato       For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Amazon’s sustainability initiatives at https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Booking Producer: Jenna Reik Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Kara Hurst is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon. In this role, she leads the worldwide teams working on environmental sustainability, human rights and social impact across the company. Kara joined Amazon in 2014 to build its sustainability roadmap and led the company’s evolution toward more sustainable operations, transportation, products, and packaging. She also oversees changes in Amazon’s carbon-free energy strategy and efforts around water stewardship, reduced waste, and biodiversity. Under her leadership, Amazon announced its commitment to be net-zero carbon by 2040 and co-founded The Climate Pledge, which now has over 550 signatories. Kara holds an undergraduate degree from Barnard College of Columbia University and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of California, Berkeley. She serves on the Board of Directors of Water.org and Stolen Youth.   Sarah Mathew is Amazon’s Delivery Experience Vice President, leading a worldwide product and technology organization that builds and enables products, programs, and services that make it easier for customers to control when, where, and how they receive earth’s largest selection. Her team owns all delivery-related CX throughout the customer shopping journey, including the Your Orders p

Guest: Joyce Beatty, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty joins host Maureen Metcalf for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and advancing equity in a rapidly changing world. From growing up in segregated America to becoming an influential voice in Congress, Beatty shares the defining moments that shaped her leadership, including navigating bias, breaking barriers, and pushing for systemic change across government, finance, and education. Those inspiring moments provide lessons for women leaders today. Her candid stories of adversity and triumph include: How early experiences with discrimination fueled her commitment to justice What it felt like to be the only woman in rooms of power The behind-the-scenes story of how “When women succeed, America succeeds” made its way into a State of the Union address Why visibility, mentorship, and representation remain essential for the next generation of women leaders. Beatty’s insights offer both inspiration and practical guidance for anyone navigating leadership challenges today. Her message is clear: your story, your courage, and your persistence can change communities…and even change a country. Other episodes you'll enjoy: -  Self-Awareness: The #1 Predictor of Leadership Success with Belinda Gore - From Stress to Strength: How to Rewire Your Brain for Resilience with Jon Wortmann - How Inner Work Transforms Your Leadership with Jonathan Reams For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Congresswoman Beatty on her website: https://beatty.house.gov/.    Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8 . The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.      -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Congresswoman Joyce Beatty is a native Ohioan with a strong history of connecting people, policy, and politics to make a difference. Since 2013, Beatty has proudly represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District.   Prior to her service in the U.S. House of Representatives, Beatty was senior vice president of outreach and engagement at The Ohio State University and a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for five terms.   Beatty received her Bachelor of Arts from Central State University, her Master of Science from Wright State University, and completed all requirements but her dissertation for a doctorate at the University of Cincinnati. In addition, she has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from Ohio Dominican University, Central State University, Capital University, and The Ohio State University.

Guests: Nikki Greenberg, Futurist, & Ugo Valenti, SCEWC Managing Director How do we build cities—and organizations—that can thrive amid AI disruption, climate pressure, demographic shifts, and rising expectations for livability?   In this episode, futurist Nikki Greenberg and Smart City Expo World Congress managing director Ugo Valenti reveal how urban design, public–private collaboration, and visionary leadership shape the cities—and organizations—of tomorrow. From affordable housing to autonomous mobility to circularity, they share practical insights for leaders in business, government, and nonprofits navigating a fast-changing world. Here's what Nikki, Ugo and Maureen cover: Why cities matter for every business, not just for planners; The edge AI gives urban infrastructure (from snowplow routing to master planning); and The leadership traits you need to run a business in an increasingly complex urban landscape! Other episodes you'll enjoy: - Back to the Future…of Work with Jim Ritchie-Dunham, Suzie Lewis, & David Dinwoodie - Prepare for the Future with Foresight with Dr. Ciela Hartanov - The Future Is Yours to Create with Rebecca Ryan For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Find out more about Ugo’s work with Smart City at https://www.smartcityexpo.com/. You can learn more about Nikki’s work as a futurist at https://www.nikkigreenberg.com/.   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Sponsorship Sales Manager: Kristine Gross Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  IWebsite: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guests:   Ugo Valenti is a Barcelona-based leader in the global smart-cities and urban innovation space. He currently serves as Business Unit Director for the Cities & Society portfolio at Fira Barcelona and is the Managing Director of Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the flagship event that has become one of the world’s largest convenings for city transformation. In this role, Ugo helps connect governments, corporations, startups, and academia through large-scale events and digital platforms designed to accelerate the adoption of solutions that make cities more sustainable, inclusive, and livable.   He has directed SCEWC since 2014, overseeing its evolution into a truly global platform—drawing tens of thousands of attendees from well over 100 countries and more than a thousand exhibitors annually. His broader portfolio includes Tomorrow Mobility World Congress, Tomorrow Building World Congress, Tomorrow Blue Economy World Congress, and Tomorrow.City, reflecting a focus on the future of urban life across transportation, infrastructure, climate resilience, and digital innovation.   Nikki Greenberg is a futurist and multi-award-winning keynote speaker, focused on preparing organizations for a tech-enabled future. She helps leaders reimagine their businesses to bring them into alignment with the increasingly digitized way that people live, work, and communicate today. ​ She has held leadership positions with Fortune 500s, and most recently served as the Head of Technology Strategy for Real Estate at QIC, an Australian investment manager with a $70 billion portfolio of assets under management. She is the founder and global ambassador

Guest: Belinda Gore, PhD Your leadership style affects everything: your decisions, your culture, your team, your impact.But most leaders operate on autopilot, unaware of the unconscious patterns shaping their choices. In this conversation, host Maureen Metcalf talks with psychologist and Enneagram expert Belinda Gore about the importance of self-awareness, the nine leadership personality types, and how knowing yours can dramatically upgrade how you lead. Here's what Belinda and Maureen cover: Why self-awareness is the strongest predictor of leadership success; How your personality type impacts your team and strategy; and The nine Enneagram leadership styles (and their blind spots)!   Other episodes you'll enjoy: - How Inner Work Transforms Your Leadership: Tools for Growth with Jonathan Reams - Bringing Clarity to Confusion: Self-Awareness with Terri O’Fallon & Kim Barta - To Stop a Tyrant: How 5 Types of Followers Make (or Brake) a Toxic Leader with Ira Chaleff For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.   RESOURCES:   Learn more about Belinda and her Enneagram work at https://belindagore.com/.   Belinda also has a book offering a deeper understanding of personality types, Finding Freedom: Understanding Our Relationships Using Object Relations and the Enneagram. It’s available in paperback at https://amzn.to/4r5AXwh. Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.   Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.  -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay. Sponsorship Manager: Kristine Gross   CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Belinda is an inspired teacher, author, artist and psychologist. A native of Ohio, Belinda attended university in Columbus, Ohio, and was also a student and later a staff member with World Campus Afloat, a shipboard university that traveled to Asia, Africa, and southern Europe. H   In affiliation with The Enneagram Institute,Belinda founded The Enneagram Institute of Central Ohio (EICO) in 2000 to train professionals in the use of the Enneagram system for facilitating personal and professional development. Today she is recognized as a leader in using the Enneagram in coaching.   In 2021, Belinda and Marcus Boroughs founded The Great Circle Alliance, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer public programs and exhibits to raise awareness of the ancient monumental indigenous sites of Ohio. Their work includes a residency for contemporary Native artists to bring an indigenous presence back to the once vibrant sophisticated culture who created these monuments.