137 episodes

Are you a business owner, executive, leader, team leader, aspiring future leader, leadership junkie, a scientist, a design thinker, or simply the leader of your own life? If you are, then you are a leader, and as such, you should be experimenting!

Welcome to The Experimental Leader, a podcast where we tackle the ways leaders are experimenting in their own work. Hosted by Melanie Parish and Dr. Mel Rutherford, we dive into the most interesting questions about leaders and get into real-life conversations about how people might be experimenting with their leadership. What they are trying? How they are leading and managing their flow of work and throughput? How are they managing bottlenecks, mission, vision, strategic, operational, and tactical intents? How do they organize experiments? How do they succeed? How do they fail? How do they collect data?

The loneliness of leadership can be overwhelming, especially when a leader gets promoted and doesn’t have a roadmap for how to lead. They might feel like they are supposed to have the answers, and yet they have to figure out what that really means. The hardest part can be not having anyone to talk to about their leadership journey.

Fear not. Let Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford be your guide to becoming the leader you were meant to be – an experimental leader!

A public speaker, consultant, workshop leader, author, and Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, from whom she received the Prism Award, Melanie is an expert in problem-solving, constraints management, operations, strategic hiring, and brand development. She has consulted and coached organizations ranging from a Fortune 50 company to IT start-ups receiving their first round of funding. Her individual clients include those in FAANG and other top global IT companies. Melanie is a Certified Professional Coactive Coach and, Organization and Relationship Systems Certified Coach, and a Theory of Constraints Certified Jonah. As an author, educator, and creator of The Experimental Leader program, Melanie shows people new ways of thinking about their leadership, informed by her understanding of the fast-paced ride of technology innovation.

A professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, and Canada Research Chair in Social Perception. Dr. Mel Rutherford graduated from Yale University and earned a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Development from the University of California at Santa Barbara. A Fulbright Fellowship allowed Dr. Rutherford to study and collaborate with the well-known Simon Baron-Cohen in Cambridge, England. Dr. Rutherford also worked with Bruce Pennington and Sally Rogers at the University of Denver as a postdoctoral fellow. He now heads a dynamic research laboratory at McMaster University. Dr. Rutherford is well-known for research in the field of psychology and has been interviewed and quoted in The Globe and Mail, The London Times, The Chicago Times, CBC Radio, Quirks and Quarks, and The Discovery Channel, as well as many AP newspapers around the world.

Get rid of the fear and doubt, and shift your leadership into something that works better. Every week, learn from top leaders about how they’re experimenting, how they’re leading, and how they’re doing the things that they do. Join us here on The Experimental Leader and step into leadership with confidence and the knowledge to start leading the experiment today!

The Experimental Leader Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 4 Ratings

Are you a business owner, executive, leader, team leader, aspiring future leader, leadership junkie, a scientist, a design thinker, or simply the leader of your own life? If you are, then you are a leader, and as such, you should be experimenting!

Welcome to The Experimental Leader, a podcast where we tackle the ways leaders are experimenting in their own work. Hosted by Melanie Parish and Dr. Mel Rutherford, we dive into the most interesting questions about leaders and get into real-life conversations about how people might be experimenting with their leadership. What they are trying? How they are leading and managing their flow of work and throughput? How are they managing bottlenecks, mission, vision, strategic, operational, and tactical intents? How do they organize experiments? How do they succeed? How do they fail? How do they collect data?

The loneliness of leadership can be overwhelming, especially when a leader gets promoted and doesn’t have a roadmap for how to lead. They might feel like they are supposed to have the answers, and yet they have to figure out what that really means. The hardest part can be not having anyone to talk to about their leadership journey.

Fear not. Let Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford be your guide to becoming the leader you were meant to be – an experimental leader!

A public speaker, consultant, workshop leader, author, and Master Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation, from whom she received the Prism Award, Melanie is an expert in problem-solving, constraints management, operations, strategic hiring, and brand development. She has consulted and coached organizations ranging from a Fortune 50 company to IT start-ups receiving their first round of funding. Her individual clients include those in FAANG and other top global IT companies. Melanie is a Certified Professional Coactive Coach and, Organization and Relationship Systems Certified Coach, and a Theory of Constraints Certified Jonah. As an author, educator, and creator of The Experimental Leader program, Melanie shows people new ways of thinking about their leadership, informed by her understanding of the fast-paced ride of technology innovation.

A professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, and Canada Research Chair in Social Perception. Dr. Mel Rutherford graduated from Yale University and earned a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Development from the University of California at Santa Barbara. A Fulbright Fellowship allowed Dr. Rutherford to study and collaborate with the well-known Simon Baron-Cohen in Cambridge, England. Dr. Rutherford also worked with Bruce Pennington and Sally Rogers at the University of Denver as a postdoctoral fellow. He now heads a dynamic research laboratory at McMaster University. Dr. Rutherford is well-known for research in the field of psychology and has been interviewed and quoted in The Globe and Mail, The London Times, The Chicago Times, CBC Radio, Quirks and Quarks, and The Discovery Channel, as well as many AP newspapers around the world.

Get rid of the fear and doubt, and shift your leadership into something that works better. Every week, learn from top leaders about how they’re experimenting, how they’re leading, and how they’re doing the things that they do. Join us here on The Experimental Leader and step into leadership with confidence and the knowledge to start leading the experiment today!

    Experimenting with Collective Agreements with Jane Mulkewich

    Experimenting with Collective Agreements with Jane Mulkewich

    Explore the nexus of leadership and legal frameworks in this insightful podcast episode.

    Explore shared leadership, workplace dynamics, and unions' pivotal role in advocating for workers' rights.

    Gain actionable strategies for fostering inclusive cultures, navigating legal complexities, and driving organizational excellence.

    Tune in for essential insights to empower your leadership journey!

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    Here’s How »
    Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 44 min
    Experimenting with Learning about Sexuality with Dr. Kim Alexander

    Experimenting with Learning about Sexuality with Dr. Kim Alexander

    Join us on The Experimental Leader as we delve into uncharted territories with Dr. Kim Alexander in an episode that redefines leadership and sexual health education.

    From navigating leadership transitions to unraveling the complexities of sexual education, we explore the intersections and implications for personal growth and organizational dynamics.

    Tune in for enlightening conversations that challenge the status quo and inspire change!

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
    Here’s How »
    Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 29 min
    White People Work: Anti-Racism Work for White People

    White People Work: Anti-Racism Work for White People

    In this podcast episode, Melanie Parish and Beverly Horton navigate the complexities of leadership, mental health, and workplace inclusivity.

    They introduce an eye-opening anti-racism program, shedding light on the internal journey for individuals.

    The conversation delves into the challenges of fostering dialogue and self-reflection on race and identity.

    Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on breaking down barriers and promoting growth in this transformative course.

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
    Here’s How »
    Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 33 min
    Healing and Transformation: Unveiling the Power Within with Gul Sonmez

    Healing and Transformation: Unveiling the Power Within with Gul Sonmez

    Explore leadership, self-care, and equitable assignments. Dive into mindfulness tools, meditation, and unique perspectives on personal growth.

    Discover the transformative power of psychic abilities in trauma healing, individually and collectively.

    Uncover insights into coaching, authenticity, and the importance of tailored approaches.

    Join us for a brief yet impactful journey into healing and leadership evolution.

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
    Here’s How »
    Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 29 min
    Transitioning in the Workplace with Hannah Howard

    Transitioning in the Workplace with Hannah Howard

    Embark on a journey of positivity and inclusivity in this episode of The Experimental Leader.

    From overcoming challenges with grace to embracing the power of Kanban boards in gender identity transitions, discover the uplifting impact of effective communication and self-actualization.

    Personal anecdotes shed light on the joyous moments of navigating gender identity and pronouns.

    Join the uplifting conversation on fostering positive work environments and celebrating diverse perspectives in this insightful episode.

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
    Here’s How »Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 40 min
    Unleashing Youth Champions: Empowering with Chris Romulo

    Unleashing Youth Champions: Empowering with Chris Romulo

    Embark on a journey of empowerment and resilience in this episode of The Experimental Leader.

    Muay Thai champion Chris Romulo shares his transformative story, from conquering self-doubt to becoming a youth advocate. Discover the keys to decision-making, overcoming obstacles, and championing positive change.

    Gain insights into Chris's vision for empowering youth and dismantling the barriers to success.

    Join the conversation on leadership, innovation, and the profound impact of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

    Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
    Here’s How »Join The Experimental Leader community today:
    melanieparish.comYouTube

    • 30 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
4 Ratings

4 Ratings

CoachGlain ,

Great conversations and practical strategies

Melanie is an excellent host and I love the variety of guests she has on her show. She pulls out great nuggets of wisdom and I really appreciate how she gets each guest to share how they’re experimenting. I always gain new ways of thinking. As one of her guests, it was terrific to be able to engage and share ideas with someone so passionate and knowledgeable about leadership. I could have talked with Melanie all day.

Mary Clements ,

Very helpful for entrepreneurs

Lots of useful information here in an easy to consume format.

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