One Thousand Ways To Lead: Leadership skills, people management techniques, and communication strategies to help you grow as a confident, capable leader

It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.
Entrepreneurial leadership requires a frame of mind that embraces failure. Because failure is the fastest way to learn. 
Jon Sockell (MBA ‘12) isn’t afraid of failing, and that’s maybe the key component to his success. His leadership philosophy boils down to asking forgiveness rather than permission, a philosophy shaped by a career spent inside fast-moving companies, where planning is important, but action is essential. In this episode with Taiwo Olawehinmi, Jon delves into the leadership lessons he’s learned on trust, avoiding bottlenecks at the top, and leaving people free to swim in their own lane. 
Willingness to fail is key, but it’s also about finding your passion. Because when you follow your own interests, everything is more likely to work out in the end. These are ideas that Jon formed after years in the startup trenches, where he also learned that feedback is a gift, and that it’s essential to think deeply about your customer. 
If you’re wondering how to build and foster a startup culture that moves forward without fear, and that leads by action rather than academics, this episode is a must listen. Jon offers insight on not only how to embrace failure, but also on how to find a good work-life balance, and why being the first company in any new space is something he’d rather avoid.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
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What does a decade of authentic leadership inside one of the most publicly scrutinized companies in the world actually teach you about keeping global teams steady when the ground keeps shifting?
In this episode, host Melissa sits down with Gianna Dellicarpini, Chief People Officer at WeWork, to discuss what it really means to lead people operations through some of the most public corporate chapters in recent business history.
Gianna shares how the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy reshaped her early career decisions and set her on a path of career pivots she never planned for. She opens up about how those years in human capital consulting built the foundation for her leadership philosophy and the kind of HR leadership she practices today, one that centers on trust, advocacy, and showing up consistently for the people she leads even when the organization around her is making headlines.
We also get into what global leadership looks like in practice, how Gianna structures her team across time zones and cultures without defaulting to a US-centric model, and what she has learned about staying connected without overstepping. She talks honestly about building high-trust teams through organizational transformation, and what it actually took to earn that trust, not just maintain it.
You will also hear the specific advice she wishes someone had given her earlier, and what she tells anyone navigating their leadership development inside complex, fast-moving organizations.
If you have ever led people through uncertainty and wondered whether you were doing it right, this conversation will stay with you.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

What pivotal moment in your leadership journey teaches you to prioritize employee relations over a corporate spreadsheet?
In this episode, host Maree Smith is joined by Matthew Overbay, a director of manufacturing strategy and planning who has built his career through multiple international assignments at Nissan Motor Corporation.
We break down the leadership skills behind strong team management, how his executive MBA shaped his strategic mindset, and why balancing technical skills with people-first leadership is critical inside fast-moving production lines. This conversation also highlights the role of cultural adaptation and intentional career pivots in long-term growth.
You’ll also learn how on the job training, maintenance training, and workforce development drive operational excellence, offering a clear look at how modern leaders are building stronger teams in large-scale operations.
If you want a practical look at leadership and building a strong strategic mindset inside the automotive industry, this episode offers a clear, grounded perspective.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

Are you growing as a leader through strong mentorship and reflection?In this episode, host Taiwo Olawehinmi sits down with Megan Fisher, Executive Director and U.S. Brand Lead for Rare Disease at Amgen, to discuss career development inside a complex corporate culture. She shares how intentional leadership transition, cross-functional leadership, and authentic leadership shaped her path.
We explore her move into executive leadership and general management, and how integration skills, situational awareness, and clear organizational strategy shape her decisions. She also shares how she approaches team empowerment and selects the right strategic levers to strengthen brand leadership for the long term.
You can lead with empathy and clear authority while staying grounded in your values as a leader. If you are growing into a bigger responsibility, this talk will ground you. Megan shares how staying mission-driven, strengthening integration skills, and investing in professional networking support steady growth without losing yourself.
 
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

Do you ever feel like the pressure to succeed is outpacing your current leadership skills? It is common to feel overwhelmed when you are chasing career growth while simultaneously trying to master the daily demands of a complex role. You might worry that your existing management skills are not enough to navigate the high stakes of today's fast-paced business environment.
You can absolutely navigate this complexity with confidence and clarity. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Smigelski, Owen Vanderbilt MBA 2020, to discuss her fascinating journey from management consulting at BCG to leading major initiatives at Delta Airlines. We explore how she successfully transitioned into corporate strategy and managed a massive digital transformation. Katie reveals exactly how she aligns her daily work with the broader business strategy without losing sight of the critical details.
We dive deep into the reality of strategic leadership and what it truly takes to lead effectively from the middle. Katie shares her personal frameworks for tough decision-making when information is incomplete or constantly changing. You will learn how to balance the need for operational efficiency with high-level strategic thinking so you can drive results that actually impact the bottom line.
Leading a team brings its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. We talk about the nuances of team management and how to navigate shifting team dynamics with empathy and precision. Katie also emphasizes the critical role of mentorship in her success and explains how she uses intentional goal setting to keep her team focused and inspired.
This conversation eventually turns to her current passion for leading loyalty programs and driving engagement. We discuss what it really takes to elevate the customer experience in a competitive market like the airline industry. This episode is packed with actionable insights that will change the way you approach your own leadership journey.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/

When the corporate ladder feels secure but the soul craves impact, the career transition to building a business becomes more than a decision, it becomes a calling. However, answering that call requires more than just a leap of faith.True startup success is born in the unexpected turns defined by calculated risks, extensive market research, and the courage to launch a startup that brings something new to the world.
These moments not only challenge your professional identity but also sharpen your vision, revealing how you can translate corporate skills into a venture that truly matters.
In this episode, host Maree Smith sits down with Vanderbilt Owen MBA 2014 alum Clara Belden to discuss her unique entrepreneurship journey. Her founder story spans from competitive equestrian to brand management at Mars Petcare and now the female founder of The Happy Hour, a mental wellness studio designed to make therapy as accessible as walking into a nail salon. Clara shares how she leveraged her background to create a solid business plan and navigate a complex business launch, handling everything from finding the perfect real estate to opening during pandemic restrictions.
This conversation explores the gritty reality of leaving corporate and the anxiety of quitting your job. Clara opens up about the struggle with imposter syndrome, the necessity of resilience, and how she used data to validate her startup strategy before opening her doors.
You will also hear how Clara prioritizes soft skills over resume statistics when hiring and how she models authentic leadership to build a connected, motivated team. Her story offers a blueprint for every aspiring founder looking to learn how to build a startup that bridges the gap between business strategy and human connection.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Listen in!Remember to subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
Learn more about us: https://business.vanderbilt.edu/
 

When a linear career path falls apart, what comes next can define your leadership more than the title ever did. 
It’s in the unexpected turns: the pivots, pauses, and pressure points where leadership is truly tested. These moments not only challenge your strategy, but also sharpen your self-awareness, revealing how you show up when things don’t go as planned.
In this episode, host Taiwo Olawehinmi sits down with Vanderbilt Owen Executive MBA 2018 alum Mike Sumida, whose unique leadership journey spans from aspiring physician to high school math teacher, to healthcare consulting, and now, business startup leader. Through each twist and turn, Mike shares how experiences like layoffs, mentorship, and team-building have shaped his approach to leadership.
This conversation explores how self-awareness and decision-making evolve over time and why those who succeed learn to balance humility with confidence. Mike also opens up about the value of asking for help, the impact of strong mentorship, and why resilience in leadership is built through the tough seasons, not just the wins.
You’ll also hear how Mike applies situational leadership and effective communication to manage teams, support professional growth, and build trust. His story offers real-world networking tips for building relationships that matter, both within and beyond the Vanderbilt Owen community.
This is leadership with intention, reflection, and heart. Don’t miss it.
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What does it take to lead authentically across large, dispersed teams? How do you stay grounded and connected while evolving as a leader? And how can you build trust without sacrificing structure or results?
In this episode, Melissa Bortkiewicz sits down with Abhi Pardeshi, a seasoned executive and proud Vanderbilt Owen alum, who shares how his leadership journey has been shaped by lessons in self-reflection, team building, and the changing landscape of AI in healthcare.
Abhi dives into the habits that support long-term personal development, and how staying grounded in authentic leadership allows him to lead large teams with clarity and purpose. He opens up about his approach to navigating complex team dynamics while staying aligned to mission-driven work.
They also talked about building effective operations strategy, particularly in the context of healthcare leadership, and why being intentional with time, communication, and support is key. You’ll hear how Abhi thinks about growth not just for himself, but for the people he leads.
This conversation offers real‑world insights on people management, trust building, and practical ways to foster a feedback culture while creating space for intentional communication, even when time feels limited.
 
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This is a special recorded episode during our Live Podcast event, celebrating 20 years of the Leadership Development Program at Vanderbilt Owen. With a room full of students, we welcomed back one of our own for an inspiring and insightful conversation.
In this episode of One Thousand Ways to Lead, we sit down with Jamie Ikerd, a 2015 MBA alum of Vanderbilt Owen and current Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at HireRight. Jamie takes us on a deep dive into her leadership journey, from investment banking and consulting to entrepreneurship and technology, with a focus on intentional leadership and the power of reflection.
You’ll hear how Jamie designed a career rooted in authentic leadership, guided by clear values and purpose. She unpacks the five guideposts of her leadership framework that have shaped her approach, from understanding motivators and stressors to building a personal board of directors. 
We also explore how the business life cycle influences leadership styles and why transformation leadership requires more than just vision, it demands real clarity in decision making and consistent leadership development over time.
This episode is a must-listen for emerging leaders, current MBA students, and anyone ready to lead with intention and purpose.

What does it really mean to lead with empathy, resilience, and cultural awareness? It’s not something you learn from a textbook, it’s something you learn through experience, discomfort, and showing up when everything feels unfamiliar. True leadership, especially across cultures, begins with understanding yourself in unfamiliar environments.
In this episode, we sit down with Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management alum Andy van Ark to explore how life across continents shaped his unique leadership style.
From growing up in South Africa to navigating life in Germany, the U.S., and Australia, Andy’s story goes far beyond boardrooms and job titles. We dive into the personal growth that happens through culture shock, international relocation, and adapting to new norms, both in everyday life and in how you lead others.
Andy unpacks the identity shift that comes with being a third culture kid, and how those early experiences fueled his career development and taught him the value of listening before leading. You'll also hear about how cross-cultural communication skills shaped his view on global leadership, and why cultural adaptability is non-negotiable in today’s world.
If you’re dreaming of working overseas or simply want to lead with more heart and clarity, Andy’s reflections on belonging and purpose will hit home.
 
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Learn more about us:
https://business.vanderbilt.edu/