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!
What happens when everything is a priority? In this episode of The Experimental Leader, Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford explore one of the most common leadership traps: creating urgency without providing clarity. When leaders assign too much work without clear priorities, employees are left to sort through competing demands, often leading to stress, rework, and reduced productivity. Melanie shares practical strategies for shifting from constant firefighting to intentional leadership, including collaborative prioritization, better communication, regular check-ins, and empowering teams to manage execution while leaders focus on vision. Whether you lead a team of two or two hundred, this conversation will help you reduce overwhelm, build trust, and create a healthier, more effective way of working. In this episode, you'll learn: Why making everything "urgent" slows teams down How shared prioritization improves performance The value of frequent check-ins and early feedback Why leaders should focus on vision while teams manage execution How AI may increase urgency—and what leaders can do about it Ready to strengthen your leadership skills? Get The Leadership Blueprint course FREE with the code ODYSSEY . https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint
Unclear expectations can quietly undermine even the strongest teams. Miscommunication, frustration, reduced accountability, and stalled growth often stem from one overlooked leadership challenge: a lack of clarity. In this episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , Melanie Parish, MCC, and Dr. Mel Rutherford, PCC, welcome Georgia Thomas , former corporate lawyer, entrepreneur, and multi-business founder, to explore how leaders can build healthier, high-performing organizations by creating clear expectations from the start. Georgia shares the framework she uses to help founders transition from overwhelmed operators to intentional CEOs. Through her practical Expectations Document, she demonstrates how defining roles, responsibilities, success measures, and core values creates alignment, strengthens communication, and empowers teams to perform at their best. The conversation also explores why supporting a leader's vision matters, how learning to say no is an essential leadership skill, and why leadership is an ongoing experiment in creating clarity and trust. In this episode, you'll discover: • The hidden costs of unclear expectations in leadership and business • How to align teams around shared goals and company values • A simple framework for improving accountability and communication • Why every leader should define success before measuring performance • How founders can build sustainable businesses through intentional leadership • The role of two-way communication in creating high-performing teams • Practical strategies for reducing confusion and increasing team alignment Whether you're a business owner, executive, people leader, entrepreneur, or coach, this episode offers actionable leadership insights that will help your team communicate more effectively, work with greater confidence, and stay aligned around a shared vision. Free Leadership Resource Continue developing your leadership skills with The Leadership Blueprint from The Experimental Leader Academy. 🎁 Use code: odyssey to get FREE access to the course! https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Experimental Leader Podcast , leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this conversation with a leader who wants to build a culture of clarity, accountability, and trust.
What if your biggest leadership challenge becomes your greatest opportunity? In this episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford explore how unexpected setbacks can become "lucky disasters" when leaders approach them with curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to adapt. Through personal stories—including an ice storm that sent a tree crashing into a swimming pool and a cross-country camping trip interrupted by a broken axle—they reveal practical lessons for navigating uncertainty without losing momentum. Discover why effective leaders prepare for the unexpected, avoid operating at maximum capacity, and create organizations that can respond with confidence instead of panic. Learn how strategic thinking, teamwork, and a resilient mindset transform breakdowns into breakthroughs that strengthen both leaders and their teams. Whether you're leading an organization, managing a team, or developing your own leadership skills, this conversation offers practical insights for navigating change, overcoming setbacks, and building a culture that thrives under pressure. In this episode, you'll learn: • How to turn unexpected challenges into leadership opportunities • Why resilience is one of the most important leadership skills • The power of curiosity during organizational crises • How to prepare your team before disaster strikes • Practical strategies for leading through uncertainty and change 🎁 Special Offer for Listeners: Ready to take your leadership to the next level? Enroll in the Leadership Blueprint course and use the code ODYSSEY at checkout for free access . Learn more at: https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The Experimental Leader Podcast , leave a review, and share it with a leader who is ready to turn life's inevitable breakdowns into meaningful breakthroughs.
Leading on the Glass Cliff with Dr. Mel Rutherford, PCC
In this episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , Melanie Parish speaks with Dr. Mel Rutherford about leading through crisis, identity, and organizational transformation, drawing from his book The Glass Cliff: One Trans Man’s Leadership Odyssey . The conversation explores the “glass cliff” phenomenon, where leaders from marginalized groups are often placed into high-risk leadership roles during periods of instability. Dr. Rutherford shares lived experience from stepping into a department chair role during a crisis and reflects on how leadership is shaped under pressure. Together, they examine how effective leadership is built through slowing down, listening deeply, and aligning decisions with shared values. The discussion highlights consensus-driven leadership, compassionate accountability, and practical approaches for navigating uncertainty with clarity and integrity. Key themes include crisis leadership, values-based decision-making, trust-building, and leading complex teams through change while staying grounded in purpose and people. Dr. Rutherford’s book is available here: http://experimentalleader.com/melrutherford Catch his book tour here: https://www.melanieparish.com/events/ Get free access to the Leadership Blueprint using the code " ODYSSEY " : https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint This episode offers a grounded exploration of leadership under pressure and invites listeners to rethink how leaders are selected, supported, and sustained in times of uncertainty.
In this episode of Traps and Tricks , Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford explore two leadership challenges that often go hand in hand: criticism and emotions. Why do leaders become defensive when receiving feedback? What happens when emotions are ignored in the workplace? And how can leaders respond with empathy while still maintaining accountability? Melanie and Mel discuss how criticism can be valuable information, the impact of emotional awareness on team performance, and practical ways leaders can build stronger relationships through curiosity, compassion, and better communication. Free Leadership Blueprint Course Use code ODYSSEY for free access: www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint The Experimental Leader Podcast delivers practical leadership insights, coaching strategies, and real-world conversations to help leaders thrive.
Welcome to Skill Up, the newest segment of The Experimental Leader Podcast, where Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford break down practical leadership skills that help leaders grow, develop teams, and create lasting impact. In this episode, Skill Up: Developing People, Melanie and Mel explore why employee development is one of the most powerful tools in leadership today. They discuss how strong leaders create opportunities for growth, mentor emerging talent, and build workplace cultures where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered to evolve. This conversation dives into leadership development, mentorship, employee engagement, performance evaluations, workplace culture, coaching, and the importance of investing in both quiet and outspoken team members. Melanie also shares why developing people is valuable even when employees eventually move on to new opportunities. Whether you are a manager, executive, entrepreneur, HR professional, coach, or emerging leader, this episode offers practical leadership insights you can immediately apply to your organization and career. In this episode: How to develop employees effectively Why mentorship matters in leadership Creating a culture of growth and accountability Supporting employee engagement and professional development Leadership strategies for building stronger teams How development conversations improve workplace culture Why investing in people strengthens organizations long term Get free access to the Leadership Blueprint course for podcast listeners using the code ODYSSEY: https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint The Experimental Leader Podcast explores leadership, innovation, inclusivity, coaching, workplace culture, and human centered leadership through honest conversations and actionable ideas. Follow, rate, and review The Experimental Leader Podcast on Apple Podcasts to stay connected with future Skill Up episodes and leadership conversations designed for modern leaders. Listen now and start experimenting with your leadership.
Decoding Human Performance with Jacob Chase
In this episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast, Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford are joined by Jacob Chase, CEO of Infin, for a strategic exploration of leadership, accountability, and the future of human performance. The discussion examines how organizations can evolve beyond traditional performance management systems and succession planning models that often fail to capture the full scope of individual and team contribution. Jacob introduces a performance intelligence framework that leverages collective feedback to surface more accurate, bias-resistant insights into how work is actually delivered across teams. Melanie and Mel also unpack the ongoing leadership challenge of balancing work quality, revenue generation, and managerial input, offering a practical lens for strengthening accountability in complex organizational environments. Mel Rutherford adds a succession planning perspective, emphasizing the importance of intentionally developing future leaders well in advance of transition points. This conversation highlights the shift toward more adaptive, data-informed, and values-aligned leadership systems that better reflect real organizational impact. 🎧 Special Offer: Access the Leadership Blueprint program for free using the code ODYSSEY at checkout. 👉 https://www.experimentalacademy.com/leadership-blueprint This episode is designed for executives, managers, HR leaders, coaches, and organizational strategists seeking to elevate leadership effectiveness, improve decision-making, and build more resilient teams and cultures.
What makes people truly engaged at work? In this episode of The Experimental Leader , Dr. Roz Cohen joins the conversation to explore the power of connection, belonging, and human-centred leadership in today’s workplace. As an inclusion strategist and founder of Socius Strategies, Dr. Roz shares insights from her work helping organizations build cultures rooted in trust, psychological safety, and meaningful relationships. Together, the conversation explores why asking “why” matters in leadership, how leaders can create environments where people feel valued, and the difference between intellectual, emotional, and relational engagement. This episode is a thoughtful discussion on inclusive leadership, workplace culture, employee engagement, and the human side of leadership that too often gets overlooked. If you are leading teams, navigating organizational change, or working to build stronger workplace relationships, this episode offers practical insights and fresh perspectives to experiment with in your own leadership journey.
Burnout is not the cost of leadership. It is a signal. In this episode of The Experimental Leader , we explore a more sustainable way to lead by moving beyond either or thinking and learning how to manage competing priorities more effectively. This conversation focuses on balancing results and relationships, performance and well being, and leadership and personal life through a concept known as Polarity Intelligence. Instead of chasing perfect balance, the focus is on building awareness and making adjustments in real time to stay effective without overextending yourself. If you are feeling stretched or navigating constant demands, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective on how to lead without burning out.
In this episode of The Experimental Leader, the show explores a trauma-sensitive perspective on leadership, examining how early relational experiences shape executive behaviour, emotional triggers, and decision-making patterns. The conversation highlights how fight, flight, freeze, and fawn responses show up in the workplace—and what leaders can do to manage them effectively.
Start 2026 with a fresh take on leadership. In this episode of The Experimental Leader , Mel Rutherford and Melanie Parish are joined by designer and community builder Paulo Gregory to explore leading through collective wisdom. They discuss the power of soft skills, non-hierarchical leadership, and collaboration, and how experimentation and trust can unlock innovation and shared ownership in teams. A must-listen for leaders ready to rethink how leadership works.
This episode dives into how leaders can use experimentation to navigate the intensity of the December season with more clarity, efficiency, and humanity. The conversation explores practical strategies for running purposeful meetings, setting clear expectations, and respecting time during a high-pressure month. You’ll also hear fresh perspectives on blending personal and professional traditions, fostering cultural inclusivity, and designing celebrations that bring genuine joy rather than exhaustion. With insights on “safe-to-fail” experiments, flexible decision-making, and inclusive holiday practices, this episode equips leaders to create meaningful connections and healthier rhythms at work. A timely reminder that thoughtful leadership isn’t seasonal—these lessons are built to carry into the new year.
In this episode, Dr. Torben Noerby—CEO of People & Performance, author of The Contextual Leader , and creator of the Contextual Leadership AI Bot (CLAI)—explores how leaders can adapt to their organizational context to drive performance, accountability, and collaboration. Discover how contextual leadership helps shape culture and strengthen inclusivity, and learn how AI can become a powerful ally in navigating modern leadership challenges. Packed with practical insights and fresh perspectives, this conversation invites leaders to experiment, adapt, and lead with purpose.
In this month’s episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , we explore what it takes to build leadership that lasts. The conversation covers the essentials of self-leadership, aligning words with actions, and the role of diversity in shaping stronger, more authentic leaders. You’ll hear insights on managing reputation, balancing transparency with credibility, and why empathy and quick apologies are vital when mistakes happen. Tune in for practical takeaways on how leaders can communicate with impact, strengthen team reputation, and lead with humanity in a noisy, fast-changing world.
In this episode of The Experimental Leader podcast, hosts Melanie Parrish and Mel Rutherford speak with Col. Bree Fram , one of the highest-ranking out transgender officers in the U.S. Space Force. Together, they explore the complexities of leading with authenticity, the unique strengths queer leaders bring to their work, and the emotional toll of being visible in challenging political times. From the superpowers of queer leadership to navigating misgendering in professional spaces, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at identity, advocacy, and the courage it takes to keep leading when the stakes are high.
In this episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , hosts Melanie Parish and Mel Rutherford are joined by executive coach and ADHD expert Frankie Berkoben to explore how executive functioning and systems thinking can elevate leadership performance. Frankie shares her unique approach to coaching high-performing leaders in tech—drawing from design thinking, behavioral psychology, and neurodiversity-informed practices. Together, they unpack the importance of managing cognitive load, the power of time-blocking, and why trusting your own intuition is essential for sustainable success. This episode also explores practical leadership lessons around inclusive hiring, the value of diverse personality traits in the workplace, and conflict navigation strategies for discerning leaders. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you lead with clarity, intention, and impact, without relying on grit alone.
In this Pride Month episode of The Experimental Leader Podcast , hosts Mel Rutherford and Melanie Parish are joined by Dr. Liz Cavallaro, executive coach and author of Forging Queer Leaders . Together, they explore how LGBTQ+ leaders leverage resilience, authenticity, and inclusivity to drive impactful leadership. Packed with actionable insights on allyship, vulnerability, and embracing diverse perspectives, this episode is a powerful resource for leaders and allies alike.
Celebrate International Coaching Week 2025 with this insightful episode exploring coaching’s evolving role in leadership. From AI advancements to maintaining a pure coaching mindset, this conversation offers practical tips, powerful questions, and valuable insights into how coaching fosters transformation, innovation, and shared leadership. Whether you're a coach, leader, or lifelong learner, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable wisdom.
Celebrate a remarkable milestone with The Experimental Leader Podcast as we mark five years of exploring leadership through innovation, curiosity, and authenticity. In this special anniversary episode, podcast founder Melanie Parish reflects on the journey that started during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Melanie shares candid insights into the challenges of hosting authentic conversations, the importance of curiosity and presence, and her commitment to providing value to listeners. With over 30,000 downloads—a number that resonates deeply with her—she discusses the unexpected joys of creating a platform for thought-provoking discussions and leadership experimentation. Looking to the future, Melanie envisions continuing the podcast with the same passion that launched it, embracing its emergent nature and the spontaneous, real moments that make it unique. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are discovering us for the first time, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of five years of leadership experimentation. Tune in to join the celebration and keep experimenting!
This episode of The Experimental Leader explores leadership challenges, the power of experimentation, and ethical influence. Discover principles like bravery, reciprocity, and consistency, along with actionable insights to foster purpose-driven leadership and a values-aligned culture.
