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Published by Cosmic Centaurs
Centaur Stage is a podcast by Cosmic Centaurs exploring bold ideas about the future of work and learning. In each episode, podcast host, CEO & Founder of Cosmic Centaurs Marilyn Zakhour is joined by incredible guests to share insights, opinions, and perspectives about the future of how we work and learn.
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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.
In this episode of the Psych Safety in Focus Series, we’re diving into Willingness to Help, one of the four core domains that shape whether teams can truly collaborate, learn, and perform together. Many organizations value collaboration, yet asking for help can still feel risky. People worry about looking incompetent, overburdening others, or appearing less capable, especially in high-pressure environments. In this session, we’ll explore: 🔹Why willingness to help is foundational to psychological safety 🔹What prevents people from asking for support at work 🔹How helping behaviors shape trust, learning, and team performance 🔹What leaders can do to create supportive and collaborative team environments
Psychological safety is one of the strongest predictors of performance, learning, and innovation, but how is it actually experienced across organizations today? In this session of our Psych Safety in Focus Webinar Series, we unpack the latest Fearless Report: one of the most comprehensive global studies on psychological safety to date. Drawing on over 16,000 cumulative responses across 33 countries and 21 industries, this report goes beyond theory to reveal what truly shapes psychological safety at work today, from team dynamics to power structures, loneliness, and organizational design. Hosted by the Cosmic Centaurs team, the exclusive MENA partners of the Fearless Organization Scan, this session bridges global data with practical insight, helping leaders move from awareness to action. Together, we’ll explore: 🔹What the global data reveals about how psychological safety is actually experienced 🔹The organizational conditions that most strongly shape psych safety today 🔹Where perception gaps exist between leaders and teams 🔹How to benchmark and strengthen psychological safety in your own organization This session is designed for leaders, HR professionals, and culture practitioners who want a data-backed, real-world understanding of psychological safety, and how to actively build it. About the Organizer 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.
The organizations that remain resilient and relevant are the ones that build the ability to continuously innovate. In this keynote bridging our Adapt and Thrive weeks, Marilyn Zakhour brings together the key ideas from the week and the best of academia to explore how organizations develop the ability to continuously evolve, invent and innovate, strengthening their resilience and readiness to navigate complex, shifting contexts. Drawing on the work of Gary Hamel, this session explores how organizations build the capacity to continuously reinvent their business models before change is forced upon them, and how leading organizations embed innovation into how they operate. We’ll look at what this means in practice: • How to identify when to improve what exists vs. when to build something new • How continuous innovation strengthens resilience and supports long-term growth • How to embed exploration into the organization through rituals, processes, and culture • How to run execution and innovation in parallel • How organizations like Fujifilm have built this capability over time
As part of the final session of the Cosmic Conference 2026, we turn the lens inward to reflect on a simple question: What does impact really look like? In this conversation, the Centaur team shares real stories from the past year — across organizations, communities, and within our own team — bringing to life how leadership, capability, and culture translate into meaningful outcomes. Moderated by Sabah Al Nakouzi, this session explores: How organizations move from strategy to execution What it takes to build leadership capability that lasts Why psychological safety is essential to performance How leadership teams operate as a true unit The role of community in scaling knowledge and impact What it means to truly practice what we preach as a team Featuring contributions from the Cosmic Centaurs team, including Marilyn Zakhour, Marie Nakhle, Tala Odeh, and others. This session closes a 3-week journey where we brought together leaders, experts, and practitioners to explore how organizations can endure, adapt, and ultimately thrive in times of uncertainty. About Cosmic Centaurs Cosmic Centaurs is an organizational and leadership development consultancy that helps leaders build organizations that perform, grow, and create lasting impact.
In a world where the future cannot be predicted, how should leaders think about strategy, governance, and decision-making? In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour speaks with José Santos about what it means to lead and govern at the edge of uncertainty. Challenging conventional thinking, José draws a clear distinction between risk and true uncertainty—and explains why treating one as the other leads to flawed decisions and fragile organizations. The conversation shifts the focus from prediction to design: how boards create the boundaries within which leaders can act, and how managers can operate, innovate, and remain entrepreneurial without relying on forecasts. From governance frameworks to leadership mindset shifts, this episode offers a deeper lens on how organizations can function—and thrive—when the future is unknowable. This episode is part of the 2026 Cosmic Conference by Cosmic Centaurs, focused on helping leaders build organizations that can endure, adapt, and thrive.
The UAE’s response to COVID-19 has become a global case study, not just for how it managed the crisis, but for how it emerged stronger. In this episode, Peter Zemsky, Professor of Strategy & Innovation at INSEAD and CEO of Lexarius , shares insights from his research into what made that response effective. The conversation explores how leaders navigated difficult trade-offs, integrated expertise into decision-making, and coordinated across systems in moments of uncertainty. It also looks at what organizations can learn from this experience today, from building crisis-ready capabilities to rethinking how leaders develop people in a world shaped by rapid change and AI. This episode is part of the 2026 Cosmic Conference: Grounded & Limitless – Leading Organizations that Survive & Thrive , hosted by Cosmic Centaurs, an organizational and leadership development consultancy supporting leaders to build stronger, more adaptive organizations.
In a world where disruption is no longer an exception but the norm, what distinguishes organizations that fragment under pressure from those that emerge stronger? In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour speaks with Loïc Moutault about what it takes to build organizations that are both resilient and ready. Drawing on decades of global leadership, Loïc reflects on how crises have evolved into a constant condition, what leaders often misunderstand about preparedness, and how organizations can build the structures, reflexes, and capabilities needed to navigate the unknown. The conversation moves beyond response into transformation—exploring how moments of disruption can become sources of long-term strength, alignment, and renewed performance. From leadership team dynamics to the personal demands of leading through uncertainty, this episode offers a grounded perspective on what leadership truly requires today. This episode is part of the 2026 Cosmic Conference by Cosmic Centaurs, focused on helping leaders build organizations that can endure, adapt, and thrive.
Most organizations only discover their true capabilities when they are tested. In this episode, Dr. Saleh Al-Tamimi reflects on leading one of Saudi Arabia’s largest healthcare systems through both COVID-19 and a broader national transformation. This is a conversation about what pressure reveals, what it builds, and how leaders can turn short-term responses into long-term strength. We explore how systems scale under constraint, why innovation and efficiency go hand in hand, and what it takes to build organizations that can sustain performance beyond the leader. Along the way, Dr. Al-Tamimi shares practical leadership practices around presence, trust, and empowerment, as well as personal reflections on resilience, burnout, and staying grounded in high-stakes environments. Topics covered: Leading through crisis vs. leading through transformation Scaling capacity and capability under pressure Building agility that lasts beyond urgency Innovation as a driver of efficiency Leadership at scale: trust, visibility, and empowerment Staying grounded as a leader over time About the Organizer Cosmic Centaurs helps leaders and organizations navigate complexity, build capability, and drive meaningful change across the GCC.
Leadership in moments of transformation is often framed as a question of scale. But what does it take to build at a global level while everything around you is still evolving? When ambition is accelerating faster than systems, talent, and even industries themselves? In these conditions, leadership shifts. It is no longer just about growth, but about building, integrating, and scaling all at once, often without precedent. In Riyādah: From National Vision to Global Impact, Rajit Nanda, CEO of DataVolt, joins Marilyn Zakhour for a conversation on what it truly means to lead at the intersection of national ambition and global execution. Riyādah, meaning leadership in Arabic, reflects a mindset. One that moves beyond participation to shaping industries, systems, and outcomes on a global stage. In this session, you will gain: A clearer understanding of what makes leading in the GCC uniquely complex today Insight into how leaders build and scale simultaneously without relying on legacy playbooks Practical ways to navigate decision-making when clarity does not mean certainty A deeper perspective on integrating diverse teams, disciplines, and cultures into one system Lessons on how regional ambition, speed, and relationships translate into global impact This is a conversation for leaders who are not just growing organizations, but are building them to matter beyond borders. 🗓️ Tuesday, April 14, 2026 ⏰ 4:00 PM Dubai time (GMT+4) About the Organizer Cosmic Centaurs is an Organizational and Leadership Development consultancy helping leaders and leadership teams make better decisions and effect sustainable change. We created the Cosmic Conference as a free, open platform for learning, reflection, and connection. Each year, we gather thousands of leaders, thinkers, and practitioners to explore the questions and challenges that matter most to leadership today. Rooted in our belief that knowledge should be shared, the conference is our way of equipping leaders with fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a supportive community.
Leadership is often framed as an individual pursuit. In reality, especially in uncertain contexts, it is deeply shaped by the communities around us. In this session from the 7th Cosmic Conference, Individual & Collective: The Power of Community , Tala Odeh is joined by Wafa Al Obaidat, Founder & CEO of Playbook, to explore how community influences how leaders think, decide, and move forward. Drawing on her experience building a global community of over 800 members across 100+ countries, Wafa shares how intentional communities go beyond connection, becoming spaces where leaders find clarity, support, and opportunity. Together, they unpack: The difference between networks and true communities What leaders need from community when navigating complexity How strong communities are intentionally designed and sustained The rituals, norms, and behaviors that bring community to life How community compounds over time to shape decisions and outcomes The conversation also brings to life real stories from the Playbook ecosystem, where community has led to investments, partnerships, and career-defining opportunities. This session is part of Week 3: Thrive , exploring how leaders can turn the lessons of crisis into a competitive advantage and emerge stronger, more connected, and better prepared for the future.
Not all crises are the same. When uncertainty is prolonged, the rules of leadership change. There are no clear timelines, no reliable benchmarks, and often no precedent to guide decision-making. Leaders are required to act while the ground is still moving, balancing immediate pressures with the need to build for an unknown future. In this episode, Claudia Zeisberger, Professor at INSEAD and expert in private capital and turnaround management, joins Marilyn Zakhour for a deep conversation on what it takes to lead when the crisis doesn’t end. Together, they explore: How prolonged crises fundamentally reshape decision-making and risk Why waiting for a “return to normal” can become a strategic trap How leaders can rethink core business assumptions under pressure The importance of scenario planning, cash awareness, and structural flexibility What enables organizations to adapt, innovate, and move forward in uncertainty The role of leadership, culture, and communication in navigating complexity This episode is part of the Cosmic Conference series, exploring how leaders can move beyond reacting to crisis and instead use it as a moment to reshape what comes next.
What actually makes a leadership team work as one? In this episode, Roland Daher, CEO of AstroLabs shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building a high-performing leadership team while scaling a company in uncertain conditions. From redefining strategy and introducing operating cadence, to navigating identity shifts as a CEO, Roland walks through the small, often overlooked disciplines that compound into organizational performance. Together with Marilyn Zakhour, the conversation explores: The difference between alignment and true shared ownership Why harmony can undermine trust in leadership teams How to build systems that enable people, not depend on individuals The hardest shift leaders face when stepping out of execution Why the “boring basics” are what actually drive transformation This is not a conversation about frameworks or silver bullets. It is a grounded look at what it takes to build teams, systems, and leaders that can endure and perform under pressure.
What does it really take to lead when the stakes are high, the path is unclear, and the pressure is constant? In this episode of Center Stage , Wissam Adib joins Marilyn Zakhour for a conversation on containment and ambition — and why the ability to hold complexity may be one of the most critical leadership capabilities today. Drawing from his experience advising senior leaders and shaping large-scale transformation across the UAE, Wissam explores how leaders can move from control to containment — creating environments where teams can think, experiment, and perform under pressure. Together, they unpack: Why not all challenges are created equal — and how to distinguish complexity from complication The hidden impact of ambition on teams, and how anxiety shows up in systems The concept of negative capability — staying with uncertainty without rushing to act How leaders can contain pressure at the inner, relational, systemic, and symbolic levels What it takes to sustain both stability and momentum in uncertain environments This episode is part of Cosmic Conference 7 by Cosmic Centaurs — a leadership and organizational development consultancy working with leaders across the GCC to build more resilient, adaptive, and human-centered organizations.
In Lebanon, crisis is not episodic. It is continuous. In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour speaks with Maya Ibrahimchah, Founder of Beit el Baraka and Beit Kanz, about what it takes to build systems that endure in the face of ongoing economic, social, and political instability. The conversation begins with a single moment. An encounter that revealed a hidden crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of retirees living without support or visibility. What followed was not a traditional charitable response, but the creation of a multi-layered ecosystem designed to restore dignity, agency, and long-term sustainability. Maya shares how her work evolved across overlapping crises, from the Lebanese revolution to COVID-19, the Beirut explosion, and continued instability. Together, they unpack what it means to rethink aid as an economic model, design for resilience, and lead when certainty is not an option. This episode is part of the Cosmic Conference series by Cosmic Centaurs, exploring how leaders navigate complexity and build systems that last. About the Speaker Maya Ibrahimchah is the Founder of Beit el Baraka and Beit Kanz, organizations redefining social support in Lebanon through sustainable, system-driven approaches. About the Host Marilyn Zakhour is the CEO & Founder of Cosmic Centaurs, a leadership and organizational development consultancy supporting leaders across the GCC.
Markets are shifting. Pipelines are slowing. Decisions are taking longer. In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour speaks with Emad Odeh about what it takes to grow a business when the ground is less stable. Rather than stepping back, the conversation explores how leaders can adapt the way they show up. From changing how they approach selling, to strengthening relationships, to recognizing opportunities that are less obvious but still very real. Emad brings a grounded perspective shaped by decades of navigating cycles, crises, and complex markets. This is a conversation about staying present, staying relevant, and continuing to build momentum when conditions are uncertain. If you’re leading growth, business development, or client relationships right now, this episode offers a clear and practical lens on what to do differently.
In this Manager Mailbag session, Marilyn Zakhour and Tala Odeh explored the lived experience of middle managers leading through uncertainty. Drawing on anonymized questions from managers across the GCC, the conversation focused on the tensions leaders are holding every day. Balancing performance with people. Providing direction without full visibility. Knowing when to take control and when to empower. Navigating influence in systems where decisions sit elsewhere. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all answers, this session unpacked how to navigate these tensions with more awareness, range, and intention. It’s a practical, honest look at what it means to lead in the middle when the path forward is not always clear.
What does it mean to lead when everything around you is shifting, and not everyone is experiencing it the same way? In this episode, Marilyn Zakhour is joined by Ghida Barakat to explore how leaders in the GCC are navigating layered and often conflicting realities. From geopolitical tension to internal team dynamics, this conversation unpacks the complexity leaders are holding today, across both self and system. They discuss how different experiences of the same moment can create invisible tension within teams, why leaders often default to reactive patterns under pressure, and what it takes to stay grounded while leading others through uncertainty. This is a practical and reflective conversation for leaders working across diverse teams, where clarity is not always shared, but leadership is still required. If you’re navigating complexity that doesn’t have a single narrative or clear answer, this episode offers a way to think about holding it, rather than resolving it too quickly.
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Observed September 11, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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