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 lions of Tanzania. Learn how to harness non-human perspectives to enhance teamwork and achieve organizational success. Through thought-provoking discussions, delve into the essence of genuine contribution, fair recognition, and the intriguing concept of altruism. Riveting stories of great apes illustrate the power of authenticity and direct engagement in leadership.

Reflect on the adaptability and humility required in today's evolving leadership landscape. Gain wisdom from the natural world, from the leadership of an elephant matriarch to the influence and mediation skills of female chimpanzees. Examine the pitfalls of extreme leadership styles and the importance of flexibility in maintaining creativity and stability. Through the insights of host Neil Jacobs and guest Dr. Rob Shumaker, you'll expand your leadership perspective, embracing diverse viewpoints to foster innovation and growth. Join us on this journey of learning and share your thoughts as we explore the profound lessons of leadership from the animal kingdom.

About Dr. Robert Shumaker

Dr. Robert W. Shumaker is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in the study of behavior and cognition. He started his career at the Smithsonian National Zoo. During his 20-year tenure there, Dr. Shumaker worked as an animal keeper, curator, biologist, exhibit designer, and scientist. He spent several years at the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa as the senior scientist supervising all research with orangutans. In 2010 he moved to the Indianapolis Zoo where he is now the President & CEO.

Dr. Shumaker has been a faculty member at George Mason University and Drake University, and an affiliate faculty member at Iowa State University. He is an external research associate at the Krasnow Institute and an adjunct professor at Indiana University.

Dr. Shumaker has authored or co-authored numerous scientific publications, books, and articles for the popular press. The third edition of Animal Tool Behavior was published in December. His work has been featured in National Geographic, NPR, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, Time magazine, and the BBC.

Dr. Shumaker serves on the science advisory board of the Balikpapan Orangutan Society (BOS) which is based in Indonesia, in the same capacity for BOS Canada in Toronto, and as a board member of the Orangutan Conservancy, based in the United States. He is internationally recognized as an expert on primate behavior and cognition and on animal tool behavior.

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 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.

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 career goals over immediate reactions, underscoring the value of introspection in effective leadership.

As we continue, we examine the importance of engaging in tough conversations. Having these conversations is a choice for leaders and these decisions influence organizational culture, working relationships, and performance. Dr. Dean emphasizes the shift from safe spaces to brave spaces and the implications of this, encouraging individuals to take risks and learn. The discussion highlights the significance of self-awareness during conflict and the importance of leaders knowing their conflict-handling styles from avoiding and accommodating to competing, compromising, and collaborating.

Our conversation takes a deeper look at emotional barriers like fear and anxiety that hinder open communication and the influence of human evolution and neuroscience. Dr. Dean, an expert in DEI and multiculturalism, shares valuable insights into overcoming the fear associated with having tough conversations in the workplace and asks leaders to think about their goal during conflict, drawing on a model from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). We explore how embracing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive environments can enhance creativity and growth. By focusing on intentionality and understanding in tough dialogues, leaders can transform these conversations.

About Dr. Robin Dean

Dr. Dean is the Founder and Director of Perspective Insight Consulting, which specializes in providing training and consultation In DEI and multiculturalism for psychology professionals and leaders. She is also a licensed psychologist with a clinical practice at SUNY Upstate Medical University in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic. Additionally, Dr Dean is a published author and presenter, and she also serves on psychological association boards at the state and national level. Dr. Dean is known for her mastery in facilitating groups in a way that both challenges participants, but also ensures people feel empowered to have complex and challenging conversations with others. Go to: https://perspectiveinsightconsulting.com/ to learn more about Dr. Dean’s work, and her trainings and clinical consultation services.

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 landscape, we examine what we’ve learned from voting patterns in over 70 countries including a general shift towards conservatism and a majority of voters expressing dissatisfaction with democracy. This shift prompts a vital discussion on the future of leadership. We explore the impact for organizations and leaders and ask whether our current age of leadership is at its end.

We reflect on the ways we paused in 2024, finding common themes in being deliberate, building stronger relationships, fostering collaboration, leaning into community, and taking perspective. Our guest Alison Omens, President of JUST Capital, brings a wealth of rich insights into how she is leading through changing headwinds, how she keeps her team motivated and engaged, how she paused in 2024, and what will matter in 2025. She shares strategies for balancing trust and guidance in leadership amidst uncertainty and challenge.

We conclude the episode by exploring the ways leaders need to be better scientists. This includes gathering contrary information from alternative sources in order to challenge assumptions and the importance of taking what you know and pulling the rug out from under it. We invite you to consider your own leadership journey and the impact you want to make in 2025.

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 leaders and teams and her daring experience as a crew member on a cross-Atlantic yacht race, offering new perspectives on teamwork and the essence of leadership.

Navigating the complex landscape of divided loyalties, we unravel the tensions senior leaders face when balancing multiple roles across executive and functional teams. We dig into the significance of clear vision and purpose, role clarity, candor, and managing friction to foster effective team dynamics. Learn how to align individual and shared goals, master the art of being intentional and adapting your approach in line with the needs of the team. We discover that a sense of team unity is created by a collection of small acts and gestures, not just the big moments.

Talking about the teams we belong to outside of work yields added insight into the importance of being present and adaptable. These experiences illuminate the power and benefit of being planful, giving and receiving candid feedback to fellow team members, and investing in self-care to build team cohesion.

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 the 1980s and 90s. We scrutinize how each era sought to define community, often swinging between extremes of freedom and isolation. Fast forward to today, where projects like California Forever strive to find a middle ground. Throughout this episode, we challenge the societal tendency to look for quick fixes rather than addressing the root causes of disconnection. How do we create communities and workplaces that honor individual freedoms and leverage the power of collectives, while delivering organizational imperatives?

Finally, we reflect on organizational dynamics and structures, exploring traditional and agile models and the impact of the pandemic on how we work. We share anecdotes from large organizations highlighting innovative approaches to building community and developing leaders. We underscore the importance of leaders sharing insights and experiences with each other, being adaptable, and having a common purpose. Join us as we explore these themes and more, bringing in insights and stories that resonate with the evolving landscape of leadership and community.