In this episode of The Leadership Pause, Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich mark the podcast's one-year anniversary with a timely exploration of how physical space shapes leadership, culture, and performance. As organizations continue to navigate hybrid work, return-to-office pressures, and shifting employee expectations, the conversation invites leaders to consider the often-unseen ways the built environment communicates values, power, and belonging.

Joined by Rachel Casanova, Executive Managing Director of Total Workplace Consulting for the Northeast at Cushman & Wakefield, the discussion moves beyond aesthetics to examine workplace design as the "body language" of an organization. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience, Rachel shares insights on evidence-based design, the risks of aspirational spaces that outpace lived culture, and why congruence between leadership behavior and physical environment is essential for trust, engagement, and change.

Together, Neil, Taylere, and Rachel explore the successes and failures of open offices, hoteling, and hybrid models, as well as how space has become a critical lever in the competition for talent. The episode challenges leaders to pause and ask what their workplaces are truly signaling and whether their organizations are prepared to embody the culture those spaces promise.

Show Order

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Pause
00:49 Reflecting on a Year of Leadership Pause
01:06 Exploring Organizational Space and Design
01:49 Pauses of the Month
05:33 Impact of Office Design on Work Culture
14:26 Guest Introduction: Rachel Casanova
15:39 Rachel Casanova on Workplace Consulting
21:44 Design Principles and Cultural Fit
26:05 Future-Proofing Office Design
27:06 Hoteling and Hotspotting Trends
28:40 Challenges of Office Hoteling
29:10 Activity-Based Working and Technology
29:59 Real Estate and Organizational Behavior
30:31 Emerging Workplace Technologies
31:04 Employee Privacy Concerns
33:46 Evidence-Based Design in the Post-Pandemic World
35:38 The Importance of Physical Presence
37:53 Designing for Organizational Effectiveness
41:58 Organizational Network Analysis
48:34 The Role of Space in Leadership
50:46 Practical Tips for Leaders
52:34 Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Rachel Casanova is Executive Managing Director of the Total Workplace Consulting Practice for the Northeast at Cushman & Wakefield. With nearly 30 years of experience, she helps organizations transform real estate from a cost center into a strategic business tool aligned with culture, performance, and human experience.

A graduate of Cornell University's College of Human Ecology, Rachel is widely recognized for integrating organizational behavior, business strategy, and evidence-based design to create workplaces that are both functional and future-ready.

In this episode, organizational psychologists Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich explore the concept of the "double bind" in workplace leadership—those contradictory messages that leave employees frozen and confused. A double bind occurs when leaders send mixed messages, saying one thing while their actions communicate something entirely different. Common examples include organizations declaring "we're family" while conducting layoffs, asking employees to "bring your whole authentic self" while expecting conformity, or promoting "empowerment" while maintaining tight control over decisions. These contradictions, often unintentional, create significant psychological strain for employees who find themselves unable to succeed at meeting both conflicting expectations simultaneously. The consequences range from disengagement and cynicism to broken psychological contracts and even counterproductive work behaviors.

Neil and Taylere share real-world examples from their coaching practices, including a leader who was told to prioritize efficiency but faced pushback for not focusing on employee feelings, and another who claimed to empower her team but consistently overrode their decisions without sharing organizational constraints upfront. The hosts emphasize that employees must learn to recognize double binds, assess their severity, and adapt to organizational reality rather than rebel against it. This means approaching job opportunities with healthy skepticism, testing promises with specific scenarios, and managing one's psychological contract by understanding what you're truly getting in exchange for what you're giving. As Taylere notes, your communication experience going into an organization will likely be your communication experience within it.

For leaders, the solution lies in making implicit expectations explicit and acknowledging the paradoxes that naturally exist in organizational culture. Rather than relying on aspirational clichés, leaders should describe how things actually work, including the tensions and limitations that exist. They must create space for employees to discuss contradictions without being labeled as complainers, maintain consistency from recruitment through employment, and go back to correct initial messaging when organizational realities shift. Ultimately, solving the double bind requires correcting communication issues and taking responsibility for the gap between what's promised and what's delivered, recognizing that congruent communication isn't just about avoiding difficult conversations—it's essential for driving organizational success.

Have a pause of the month or an episode idea? Email us at info@mindsopen.co

The core of the episode features an insightful interview with Nicole Stewart, Executive Director of Boston CASA, an organization dedicated to advocating for children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are court-involved or in foster care. Nicole powerfully narrates her deeply personal journey to discovering her "why," rooted in her own childhood experiences in foster care. She articulates the distinction between passion and purpose, explaining how her lifelong passion for children transformed into a refined, intentional purpose in her leadership at Boston CASA, bringing her greater clarity and authenticity. Her path involved extensive self-reflection and candid feedback, leading to a profound understanding of her unique contribution.

Nicole concludes by sharing her inspiring purpose statement, which publicly debuted at the 2025 Boston CASA Gala, "I'm a passionate growth-minded advocate for disadvantaged children." Her story underscores that while challenging, living one's why provides the resilience and drive necessary for impactful leadership, particularly in demanding fields.

Learn more about Boston CASA at www.bostoncasa.org

In this insightful episode of The Leadership Pause, hosts Neil Jacobs and Dr. Taylere Markewich delve into the topic of money psychology and its profound influence on leadership. The hosts begin by sharing their own money scripts, the psychological narratives around finances formed in their childhoods. Their personal revelations set the stage for an illuminating conversation with guest expert Dr. Kathleen Gounaris, an executive coach and clinical and financial psychologist with over 25 years of experience specializing in behavioral finance.

Dr. Gounaris explains how financial psychology operates as an invisible hand influencing decisions, which can follow two common patterns: risk-taking leaders becoming overconfident and susceptible to confirmation bias, or overly cautious leaders being perceived as pessimistic despite necessary prudence. She discusses why money is such a hot button issue, noting its deep connection to self-identity and self-worth regardless of whether one grew up with abundance or scarcity. Throughout the interview, Dr. Gounaris offers practical advice for leaders on acknowledging economic diversity within teams, creating space for conversations about organizational finances, and helping team members focus on what they can control during times of economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that developing financial self-awareness begins with reflecting on earliest money memories and observing one's behavior and language around finances with curiosity.

The episode also features the hosts' monthly pause, with Taylere sharing insights from her restorative trip to Europe and Neil discussing his work with a client examining the disconnect between stated values. The conversation highlights how money psychology influences not just personal financial decisions but organizational leadership styles as well. The hosts announce that next month's episode will focus on knowing your why and how understanding personal motivations impacts leadership effectiveness. Listeners are encouraged to email their questions and show suggestions to info@mindsopen.co.

Credits

Show editing by Jack Taylor

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.