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August 12, 2025 33 mins

Guest: Mark Monchek

What on earth is an Unconference?

 

Traditional leadership models are cracking under the weight of today’s rapid change. Strategist and unconference co-creator Mark Monchek reveals why legacy leadership models—top-down authority, rigid planning, and competition-first thinking—are no longer fit for a world defined by disruption. The solution will come through the unconference: a new, intensive, and far more effective way to grow as a leader. It can reshape leadership development through collaboration, experiential learning, and ongoing community.

Here's what Mark and Maureen cover:

  • Why control-based leadership is losing effectiveness;
  • How AI is changing the skills leaders need to be successful (for one, they have to learn to be more human!; and
  • The unconference format, and how that leads to more rapid and meaningful leadership growth.

 

Other episodes you'll enjoy:

Steer Your Career to the Next Tier with Tammy Alvarez

- The Job I Love to Hate with Tammy Alvarez

- Leading with Care & Purpose with Raj Sisodia & Sudhanshu Palsule

 

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!

 

RESOURCES:  

Learn more about the Unconference Mark and Maureen will be part of at https://unconferencenyc.com/. Mark’s own company has more information about his work at https://opplab.com/.

 

Mark’s book is Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Business in an Age of Disruption. It’s in paperback at https://amzn.to/4oxilEb, and Kindle at https://amzn.to/3JecZ0w.

 

Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here

 

Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

 

Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here

 

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OUR PODCAST TEAM:  

Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

Booking Procucer: Jenna Reik

Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

Instagram: @innovativeleader 

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

 

Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating! 

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About Our Guest:  

Mark Monchek is the founder of Opportunity Lab, a strategy and leadership development firm that provides the direction, systems, and tools to take organizations to the next level of substantial growth.

Mark has worked with leaders from Google, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, General Electric, Goldman Sachs, Adorama, TerraCycle, Feltsberg, The New York Times, Wharton School of Business, New York University, Columbia University, NBC, Time Warner, and the United Nations.

He’s the author of the Amazon nonfiction bestseller Culture of Opportunity: How to Grow Your Busine


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