A Leadership beyond cover art

A Leadership beyond

A Leadership beyond

Written by: Leadership Beyond
Listen for free

About this listen

 Waiting for a new normal? Don't hold your breath. It's not really new and it's not really normal. Go ahead and breathe. We've long endured change. It's just happening faster, so it feels more extreme. To thrive in these choppy waters, we can reevaluate and reinvent. You can do it. But not alone. Even if you could, what fun would that be? Tom Rosenak and Adrienne Guerrero are talent optimization specialists who can help us navigate this complex moment in the working world. If you're feeling lost, isolated or simply seeking professional camaraderie, you're invited to join our community today. We look forward to meeting you. Breathe: it will be fun. And we'll navigate it together.2022 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Lives Lost and Leadership Found - Panel Discussion

    Lives Lost and Leadership Found - Panel Discussion
    Dec 16 2025

    "Face reality and deal with it. The more we can create an environment where it's okay to give people the time, the space, and the opportunity to process what they're going through, the higher the chances are of successfully dealing with a loss of a loved one—or dealing with an organizational change." Ian Ziskin

    Panel discussion on Lives Lost and Leadership Found

    In this insightful and wisdom enhancing leadership conversation, A Leadership Beyond hosts a panel discussion on Lives Lost & Leadership Found.

    The panel is moderated by Marie Genevieve Pawlak, and includes:

    Ian Ziskin, co-author of Lives Lost and Leadership Found: Lessons from Special Somebodies, co-founder of Consortium for Change (C4C), and "retired" Human Resources executive

    Adrienne Guerrero, co-founder of A Leadership Beyond, Founder and CEO at at Positive Delta

    Michelle Halm, Licensed professional counselor and founder of Grief Connection Space

    Marie Genevieve Pawlak guides a deeply human conversation with thought leaders who have turned personal loss into a wellspring of insight for thriving through change initiatives and leading others in transformational change.

    The discussion journeys from raw stories of unexpected loss—whether of loved ones or familiar ways of working—toward the subtle ways grief shapes our identities as leaders and our organizations as communities.

    Together, the panelists reveal how facing pain with honesty, extending grace to others, and integrating lessons from adversity can forge not only resilience but greater compassion, connectivity, and authentic leadership.

    Their dialogue bridges the deeply personal to the organizational, weaving neuroscience, practical strategies, and heartfelt stories into a rich tapestry of wisdom for anyone navigating change.

    Among the highlights of this dynamic conversation:

    - Grief, whether personal or collective, can be channeled into powerful lessons and growth for individuals and entire organizations.

    - Authentic leadership emerges by embracing reality, showing empathy, and inviting open conversations about change and loss.

    - The discomfort of change and loss can lead to renewed purpose, connection, and stronger organizational cultures—when leaders intentionally create space for healing and support.

    Closing Invitation:

    If today's dialogue resonates with your own journey or the challenges within your organization, we encourage you to explore Ian Ziskin's "Lives Lost & Leadership Found" for deeper insights and inspiration. Connect with the panelists to share your story and continue building a compassionate leadership community.

    Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Lost-Leadership-Found-Somebodies-ebook/dp/B0FF3KKFCV

    Connect with Consortium for Change (C4C): https://consortium4change.com/

    Connect with our panel:

    Ian Ziskin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-ziskin-bb1504/

    Marie Pawlak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariegenpawlak/

    Michelle Halm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellehalmft/

    Adrienne Guerrero: https://embracethedelta.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienneguerrero/

    A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

    Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

    We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

    To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

    Tom & Adrienne
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Designing Organizations That Breathe: How Structure Shapes Culture, Leadership, and Impact - A Conversation with Salima Hemani

    Designing Organizations That Breathe: How Structure Shapes Culture, Leadership, and Impact - A Conversation with Salima Hemani
    Nov 18 2025
    In today's environment, clarity isn't a luxury—it's a multiplier that unlocks every dollar you've invested in your people. -Salima Hemani Here's the truth most leaders don't realize: You're already shaping your organization's culture and performance every single day—whether you know it or not. Every leader needs some understanding of organizational design's impact. Not to become an OD expert or efficiency consultant, but because aligning structure with culture and creating environments where people do their best work is fundamentally your responsibility. When budgets tighten, teams feel stuck, and your best people start leaving despite world-class training programs, the problem often isn't your strategy or your talent—it's the invisible architecture determining how work actually gets done.  In this conversation, Salima Hamani reveals why 75-80% of organizational redesigns fail (hint: it's not about the org chart), and more importantly, how leaders at every level can create the clarity that becomes their organization's greatest competitive advantage. In this episode, Salima shares: • Why great organizational design grows leaders, not just organizes them - How one company created "natural stretch zones" through project-based structure that elevated middle managers without another training program • The warning signs your structure is holding back performance - When people have the right skills, clear values, and beautiful org charts but still can't get results, decisions made, or forward momentum • Why the org chart is just 10% of organizational design - The critical elements most leaders miss: operating models, governance frameworks, decision rights, and how information actually flows • How to measure the ROI of clarity - One government agency dropped project delays by 70% simply by clarifying decision pathways and governance (not just redrawing boxes) • The questions leaders need to ask before any redesign - Why spending time on strategic clarity upfront saves months of frustrated implementation later   The bottom line: You don't need to become an organizational design expert, but you do need to understand that structure either amplifies or constrains everything else you're trying to achieve. The best training programs, the most talented people, and the clearest strategy all fall flat without the structural clarity that lets people actually use them. Organizational design isn't something to delegate and forget—it's the scaffolding that determines whether your leaders can truly lead, whether your investments in people pay off, and whether your organization can breathe and grow rather than suffocate under its own weight. About Salima: Salima Hemani, MBA, PCC, SHRM-SCP,  is an accomplished organizational strategist, executive coach, and human capital advisor with over 25 years of experience leading large-scale transformation, organizational design, and leadership alignment initiatives. She is the Founder and President of SZH Consulting, an organizational and leadership development firm serving Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations.   Salima brings a rare blend of strategic insight and operational depth, having served as both an internal executive and external consultant guiding C-suite teams through growth, restructuring, and culture evolution. Her expertise spans strategy execution, organizational design, leadership development, and executive team coaching - anchored in systems thinking, data-driven insights, and a people-first approach. A trusted thought partner to CHROs and senior leaders, Salima is known for her ability to turn complexity into clarity and create space for bold, actionable dialogue. She frequently speaks on topics including leading through change and building organizations that thrive. Connect with Salima: https://www.linkedin.com/company/szh-consulting-llc/ A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization). Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization. We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you! To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com Tom & Adrienne
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Mastering Executive Presence - A Conversation with Sue Reynolds Frost

    Mastering Executive Presence - A Conversation with Sue Reynolds Frost
    Nov 4 2025

    Presence is more that just being there. -Malcolm S. Forbes

    If you're a leader, coach, or communicator seeking to elevate your presence and influence, this episode is a masterclass in showing up with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. Sue Reynolds Frost—Managing Director of Sloan Group International and co-author of Deliberate Mindset—joins us on the Leadership Beyond podcast to unpack the art and science of executive presence. With warmth, candor, and strategic insight, she shares how leaders can align their message, mindset, and somatic cues to inspire trust and drive impact.

    Highlights from our conversation with Sue:

    • Defining Executive Presence: Sue reframes it as a learnable skill rooted in clarity, confidence, and positive intent—not just charisma or polish.
    • Somatic Presence Explained: She breaks down how physicality, tone, and vocal delivery shape how others perceive us—especially in high-stakes moments.
    • Common Pitfalls & Coaching Tips: From filler words to incongruent body language, Sue offers practical strategies to build unconscious competence over time.
    • The Power of Pause: Learn how intentional silence and breath can enhance clarity, invite engagement, and calm your nervous system.
    • Feedback as a Growth Tool: Sue shares two simple ways to get real-time feedback—peer observation and self-recording—to accelerate development.
    • Mindset Matters: She emphasizes that skill-building must be paired with a deliberate mindset to avoid self-sabotage and unlock authentic confidence.

    Whether you're presenting to a boardroom or mentoring a rising leader, Sue's insights offer a roadmap to show up with purpose and presence. Ready to level up your leadership voice?This episode is your invitation.

    Connect with Sue: (7) Sue Reynolds-Frost | LinkedIn

    Sloan Group International: https://www.sloangroupinternational.com

    Authored by Sue:

    Mastering Executive Presence with Sue Reynolds Frost

    https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2025/08/11/your-body-is-your-message-how-somatic-presence-builds-credibility/

    Deliberate Mindset: How Thinking Differently Can Help You Succeed In High-Stakes Presentations And Conversations: Hornstein, Jeff, Reynolds-Frost, Sue, Reiner, Ruth: 9781973719632: Amazon.com: Books

    A Leadership Beyond exists to support the alignment between the business strategy and people strategy - to drive results with people not at the expense of people (Talent Optimization).

    Subscribe to our podcast to join the Leadership Beyond Community of Conversation and hear insights from thought leaders and human development experts leading the way in the field of Talent Optimization.

    We are grateful to you and always eager to hear from you!

    To learn more visit https://aleadershipbeyond.com

    Tom & Adrienne
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
No reviews yet