Leadership and Innovation Unlocked

Hosted by Inclusive Collective

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115

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Leadership and Innovation Unlocked podcast with Inclusive Collective is a conversation with and for leaders driving performance and innovation through inclusive leadership. Our guests consist of leaders and experts in various industries who share their perspectives on leadership and how they strive to build organizational cultures that are high performing, operationally excellent, innovative, and inclusive. Hosted by Nadia Butt and Rob Hadley.

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June 16, 2026Episode 330 min

Why AI will bring inclusion back with Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey

Dr. Jonathan Ashong-Lamptey, founder of The Element of Inclusion, joins Dr. Nadia and Rob to talk about why AI is bringing inclusion back, how organizations change when our team members are bots, and how AI can create opportunities to measure inclusion.Find season 6 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven people and culture strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

June 2, 2026Episode 241 min

Designing operating models that can't fail with Michele Liuzzi and Olga Potaptseva

Rare disease supply chain executive Michele Liuzzi and operating model design expert Olga Potaptseva join Nadia and Rob to discuss their collaboration to develop The Harmonious Operating Model, why breaking down silos is "addictive" for leaders and employees, and why organizations have to anchor their decisions in "why?". Learn more about Sataaya Consulting at: https://www.sataaya.comRead the whitepaper at: https://www.eucustomerconsultancy.com/operationalblueprint-2Find season 6 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven people and culture strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

May 19, 2026Episode 120 min

Season Premiere: Allbirds AI, Deloitte's caste system, DEI is not hostile, and remote work extremes

Season 6 kicks off with the stories Nadia and Rob have been bursting to talk about during their hiatus. Allbirds goes from wooly shoes to AI, Deloitte creates a caste system and cuts benefits, DEI survives a major court case, and a federal worker pulls a fast one. Later, Rob rants about CEO pay and Nadia raves about Lego.Learn more about the topics discussed in the episode today:• https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/allbirds-bird-stock-shoes-ai.html• https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/policy/articles/deloitte-just-axed-50k-ivf-171500592.html?• https://www.hrdive.com/news/dei-training-didnt-lead-to-hostile-work-environment-10th-circuit/820017/• https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/2/nehemie-almonor-federal-worker-va-admits-using-telework-get-3/Find season 6 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i5q2ALf97g1pNz1TdSC_OBOlnPcFhsXs?usp=drive_link Connect with us:Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectivenessVisit https://luma.com/trustbydesign for workshops and webinars to use data and AI to build organizational trustSend us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

March 31, 2026Episode 1229 min

Microshifting!, Meta gets a wrist slap, and Nadia and Rob update their predictions

In this season's finale, Nadia and Rob circle back on their predictions for the what has become the longest year ever. They also check in on a new workplace term to argue over and discuss the jury verdicts against Meta and what they mean for the workplace. Also, they discuss all of the great feedback they are getting on the show and share how you can work with Nadia and Rob!Find season 5 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

March 17, 2026Episode 1139 min

Gen Zs trad trends, economic armageddon, and Culture Design authors James D. White and Krista White

James D. White and Krista White, authors of the bestselling book "Culture Design" stop by to discuss how leaders can build high-performing organizations intentionally, why culture may be more important than strategy. Nadia and Rob also check out the latest survey on Gen Zs attitudes towards gender roles and they check in on all of the signs of weakness in the economy. Later, Nadia rants about the return of bias on airplanes and Rob gives an art recommendation.Connect with Krista:https://www.thekristawhite.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kristawhite3/IG: @thekristawhiteConnect with James:https://www.jdwhitedesignlabs.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-d-white-086ab2153/Mentioned in this episode:- Trad wives : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/05/gen-z-men-baby-boomers-wives-should-obey-husbands?CMP=Share_iOSApp_OtherConnect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

March 3, 2026Episode 1034 min

Accenture goes "Big Brother', Vermont makes child care affordable, and Dr. Adina Nichols of Uber

Dr. Adina Nichols of Uber joins the Inclusive Collective duo to reflect on the positive impact of AI on learning and development, how managers can create space for learning, and shares practical tips on driving behavior change. Nadia and Rob also discuss child care initiatives in Vermont and Accenture's push to monitor AI use as a key factor in granting promotions. All that and rants and raves!Mentioned in this episode:https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000010708448/vermont-affordable-childcare-act-76.htmlhttps://www.theguardian.com/accenture/2026/feb/19/accenture-links-staff-promotions-to-use-of-ai-tools?utm_source=chatgpt.comConnect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Connect with Dr. Adina Nichols: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adina-nichols-edd-94163420/Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

February 17, 2026Episode 943 min

EEOC goes after Nike, Eightfold.ai gets sued, and Zapier's Brandon Sammut and Maggie Roque

Nadia and Rob welcome Brandon Sammut and Maggie Roque of AI-orchestration platform Zapier to talk about the practical skills learned from DEI (what Zapier calls 'DIBE') that translate to AI transformation, why all transformations are about leaders, talent & culture, and the underrated role consistency plays in building organizational trust. The team also reviews the EEOC's escalation against Nike's DEI efforts and a California lawsuit against HR hiring platform Eightfold.ai. Later, Pete Hegseth threatens Cub Scout funding and Nadia reflects on Bad Bunny's halftime glory.Story 1: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/business/eeoc-nike-white-employee-discrimination.htmlStory 2: https://hrexecutive.com/eightfold-ai-bias-suit-just-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/?oly_enc_id=6122G2643790C2Z Connect with Brandon Sammut: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-sammut-8147b76/Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

February 3, 2026Episode 838 min

Amazon pays bribes, not employees, Minnesota CEOs speak out, and venture investor and Muslim Women Professionals Founder and CEO Sofia Haq

Nadia and Rob welcome investor, advisor, and founder Sofia Haq to talk about the responsibilities of speaking out as a leader, building great companies, and how she sustains herself while running several ventures. But first, they check in on Amazon's poor communication in their latest round of layoffs and how Minnesota CEOs responded to the killing of Alex Preeti. Later, Rob rants about a terrible Anthropology department and Nadia applauds Walmart's unsolicited pay raises for pharmacy techs.Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comConnect with Sofia:https://www.instagram.com/sofia__haq/https://www.tiktok.com/@sofiahaqhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sofiahaq/ https://sofiahaq.com/https://www.muslimwomenprofessionals.org/https://slauson.co/Follow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

January 20, 2026Episode 729 min

Inclusive Meritocracy with Paolo Gaudiano: Equity, Merit, and Leadership

This week, Nadia hosts solo while Rob is away, revisiting a powerful interview she and Rob recorded with Paolo Gaudiano. The conversation explores why equity and meritocracy are not opposites, but incomplete views of the same system and how leaders can move beyond ideology to design fair, high-performing organizations. Stick around as Nadia also shares a personal surprise at the end of the episode.Find season 5 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing Connect with Paolo:https://aleria.techhttps://linkedin.com/in/pgaudianoMeasuring Inclusion: https://amazon.com/dp/178860606XMeritocracy (due out 6/9/26): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1788609433Paolo's TED speaker page: https://ted.com/speakers/paolo_gaudiano Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/

January 6, 2026Episode 629 min

Nadia and Rob predict the future (of work)

We kick off 2026 with Nadia and Rob's take-it-to-the-bank predictions for workplace culture. See if they can continue their streak of 100% correct predictions as they discuss leadership in 2026, litigious DEI, the seeds of a DEI comeback, AI compliance issues, and private/pubic bipartisan support for child and elder care.Find season 5 episode transcripts here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bP3N6QYBG0UkzdRm5GwiFfoQLvGtIRrK?usp=sharing Connect with us: Visit www.nazconsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Nadia Butt’s work in leadership, culture, and organizational effectiveness, and check out http://www.tekanoconsulting.com/ to explore Rob Hadley’s approach to data-driven inclusive strategy. Send us your thoughts or topic ideas at inclusivecollectivepodcast@gmail.comFollow Inclusive Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/inclusivecollective/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inclusivecollectivepodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inclusivecollectivepodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveCollective/ Connect with Nadia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadianazbutt/ Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-hadley-utah/