Guest: Michelle Harrison, Global CEO of Verian
What does it take to lead when trust is collapsing and change won’t slow down?
Based on the real-world issues faced by her clients, Dr. Harrison shares bold insights on leading through crisis, restoring public trust, and driving innovation in both government and business. She explores the role of intellectual curiosity, adaptive learning, and values-driven culture in building resilient, high-performing teams during turbulent times. Essential listening for leaders navigating complexity and change.
Here's what Michelle and Maureen cover:
- The global trust crisis in governments and corporations;
- Why collaboration is no longer an option; and
- How Michelle builds high-performing, values-driven teams.
Produced in partnership with the International Leadership Association: https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/ .
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
- The Leadership Balancing Act with Michelle Harrison
- How Purpose-Driven Women Redefine Leadership with Karen Longman
- Lessons from Governors, Athletes, & Activists on Growing Women Leaders with Susan Madsen
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re onTikTok, Threads, and Twitter, too!
RESOURCES:
You can learn more about Michelle Harrison’s company, Verian, on their website at https://www.veriangroup.com/ .
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 Producer: Jenna Reik
CONNECT WITH US:
YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2
Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com
Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!
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About Our Guest:
Dr. Michelle Harrison works as an advisor to governments and corporations around the world to build and deliver better public policy. She was the Founding CEO of Verian, leading the organisation for its first decade, during which time she established it as a division of Kantar and then led its evolution to a privately owned independent company and the largest specialist public policy consulting business outside of the US.
She is Chair of the Verian Institute for Public Impact, and a regular platform speaker and media commentator on issues of geopolitical and social change. Michelle was previously the Founding Global CEO of the WPP’s Government and Public Sector Practice, which pioneered a paradigm shift in applied behaviour change communications for public policy and scaled across every continent.
Throughout her career, Michelle has held NED and Trustee roles in the areas of public realm innovation and social investment, including at Nesta (2012 – 2018) and Social Finance (2019 – 2025). She has served on numerous advisory committees for U.K. government. She sits on the Advisory Board of the Reykjavik Global Forum and is the co-founder of The Reykjavik Index for Leadership.
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