E408-INNER VOICE: A HEARTFELT CHAT WITH DR. FOOJAN ON AWAKENED LEADERSHIP WITH DR. BEHNAM BAKHSANDEH

In Episode E408 of Inner Voice: A Heartfelt Chat with Dr. Foojan Zeine, Dr. Foojan sits down with Dr. Behnam Bakhshandeh—renowned executive coach, author of 14 books, and expert in organizational and leadership development—to discuss his groundbreaking book, Awakened Leader: Uniting Organizational Development and Awareness Integration Theory. Together, they dive deep into the practical applications of Awakened Leadership, a transformative model combining Organizational Development (OD) with Awareness Integration Theory (AIT) to foster responsibility, accountability, and authenticity in today’s workplace. Learn how structured employee assessments, generational integration, and data-driven cultural diagnostics can elevate your team and improve engagement at every level. Dr. Bakhshandeh shares powerful strategies for motivating multigenerational workforces, aligning personal values with organizational missions, and implementing strategic interventions that drive sustainable growth. This episode is a must-watch for leaders, HR professionals, and change-makers looking to create a purpose-driven, high-performance organizational culture. 🧠💼✨ 👥 Learn more: 🔗 www.FoojanZeine.com 🔗 www.AwarenessIntegration.com 🔗 www.Foojan.com 🔗 www.primcoeducation.com 🏆 Ranked #1 on FeedSpot’s Top 20 California Mental Health Podcasts: 📌 https://podcasts.feedspot.com/california_mental_health_podcasts ⏱️timestamp: 00:00 – Introduction Welcome by Dr. Foojan Zeine and introduction of guest, Dr. Behnam Bakhshandeh, including his background in organizational development, executive coaching, and authorship of 14 books. 03:10 – Introduction to Awakened Leadership Overview of the book Awakened Leader and the integration of Organizational Development (OD) with Awareness Integration Theory (AIT). Core framework and its practical application. 06:45 – Cultivating Responsibility & Authenticity Discussion on building a culture of accountability, authenticity, and leadership presence using the Awakened Leadership framework. 09:30 – Role of Professional Coaching Importance of trained coaches in implementing OD and AIT practices within organizations for long-term success. 11:40 – Practical Tools & Guided Exercises Dr. Zeine highlights user-friendly exercises in the book and the use of AIT-based assessments for tracking progress. 14:10 – Employee Assessment & Feedback Systems Insights on structured assessment models to reduce bias and enhance performance tracking. 17:20 – Bridging Generational Gaps Integrating Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z in workplace culture through shared learning and mutual mentorship. 20:45 – OD Principles & Leadership Buy-In Core Organizational Development tenets including human-centric, bottom-up change and the critical role of trust. 24:15 – Boosting Engagement with AIT Tools Addressing global disengagement trends with AIT-based approaches to spark purpose and drive. 27:00 – Generational Motivations & Strengths How each generation values work differently and the importance of cross-generational collaboration and digital fluency. 30:10 – Data-Driven Culture Shaping Using interviews, focus groups, and employee data to identify cultural gaps. Emphasis on confidentiality and psychological safety. 34:20 – Diagnostic Process Timeline Explanation of cultural assessments lasting 3–12 months depending on company size, with iterative feedback loops. 37:40 – Strategic Interventions for Alignment How interventions align personal and organizational values through reflection, psychology, and emotional intelligence. 41:15 – The Urgency of Management Training The gap in formal training for managers and the myth that leadership naturally follows seniority. 44:00 – Vision, Mission & Cultural Alignment How clear company purpose helps orient employee behavior and decision-making. 46:20 – Final Thoughts & Resources Dr. Zeine recommends Awakened Leadership as a guide for growth; Dr. Bakhshandeh offers continued support and contact info. Remember to Subscribe, Listen, Review, and Share! Find me on these sites: *iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i...) *Google Play (https://play.google.com/music/m/Inpl5...) *Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/) *YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/DrFoojan)