What happens when a leader decides their ideas matter enough to be shared with the world?

In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour, Founder and CEO of Cosmic Centaurs, reflects on her recent TEDx journey and explores why leaders from the Arab world have a responsibility to contribute their perspectives to global conversations.

Together with Tala Odeh, she discusses the challenges of stepping into the public sphere, the emotional and creative process behind crafting a TED-worthy idea, and the importance of documenting the wisdom, values, and leadership traditions emerging from our region.

The conversation also introduces the concept of open-hearted leadership—a framework rooted in generosity, respect, consultation, and stewardship—and shares practical advice for leaders looking to strengthen their voice and influence.

In this episode:

• Why leadership visibility matters today
• The hidden work behind a TEDx talk
• Overcoming perfectionism and fear of judgment
• Why public speaking is a leadership capability—not a marketing exercise
• The four pillars of open-hearted leadership
• The future of the Leading from the Arab World research initiative

About the guests

Marilyn Zakhour is Founder & CEO of Cosmic Centaurs, an HBR contributor, podcast host, and leadership advisor with over 15 years of experience helping organizations navigate growth and transformation.

Tala Odeh leads Capability Development at Cosmic Centaurs, designing leadership and communication programs that help people turn ideas into meaningful influence.

In this episode of our Psych Safety in Focus webinar series, we explore Open Conversation, one of the four core domains of psychological safety and a critical driver of learning, collaboration, and performance.

At its core, psychological safety is about creating an environment where people can contribute honestly, engage in constructive debate, and surface issues before they become problems.

In this session, we explore:
✨What open conversation really means in the context of psychological safety
✨The role of policies, leaders, and team norms in shaping voice
✨How open conversations improve learning, decision-making, and performance
✨Practical ways leaders can foster more honest, direct, and constructive conversations

This conversation draws on insights from the Psychological Safety Scan, which measures four key domains: inclusion & diversity, willingness to help, open conversation, and attitude to risk and failure.

Cosmic Centaurs is an Organizational & Leadership Development consultancy helping leaders & leadership teams make better decisions and effect sustainable change. We are the only official partner in the region for the Fearless Organization Scan, and the exclusive Arabic-language partner.

The Cosmic Centaurs’ “Psychological Safety in Focus” Webinar Series is a free, open learning space to reflect on how psychological safety shows up in MENA organizations, and how to foster it in our local and regional context.
Throughout the series, we’ll bring together insights from global research and real stories from the region, exploring how these lessons can be applied in our workplaces to unlock higher performance and healthier, more collaborative teams across MENA

As AI and technology continue to reshape the workplace, I keep coming back to one question: what human capabilities will matter most in the future of work?

Tala Odeh, Capability Development Lead and Dua Al Toobi, Founder of The Futureproof Advisory and author of Futureproof Your Workforce, for a conversation on what it really takes to build future-ready organizations today. Together, we’ll explore:
🔹 The human capabilities organizations often overlook and why they are real superpowers
🔹 Why transferable skills and nonlinear career paths matter more than ever
🔹 How leaders and organizations can better recognize and grow future-ready talent across the GCC

This conversation is for leaders, HR professionals, and individuals looking to better understand how we can build stronger, more capability-driven workforces in a rapidly changing world.