Guest: Doug McCollough, CEO of Color Coded Labs
What does leadership require once you have real influence? Then how do you attract top talent to your team?
In this episode, Maureen Metcalf is joined by Doug McCullough, a senior technology leader working across smart cities, workforce development, and community-based talent pipelines.Their conversation moves beyond surface-level discussions of diversity and inclusion to examine leadership as a system. Together, they explore how power changes obligation, why many talent pipelines remain broken despite high demand, and what it means for leaders to “get out of the room.”
You’ll learn:
- How the power dynamic in hiring has changed
- The role of reputation, sponsorship, and presence in attracting and developing talent
- How leaders can extend influence beyond their organizations
- What senior leaders inherit—and reinforce—when they don’t intervene.
This is a candid, practical conversation for leaders thinking seriously about talent, succession, and the long-term impact of their leadership.
Other episodes you'll enjoy:
- Self-Awareness: The #1 Predictor of Leadership Success with Belinda Gore
- When Women Lead: Courage, Change, & Representation with Congressperson Joyce Beatty
- What’s the Point? Why Your Leadership Needs Purpose with Ryan Gottfredson
For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.
RESOURCES:
For more on Doug’s organization, Color Coded Labs, check their website at https://www.colorcodedlabs.com/.
The interview Doug referenced which featured Joyce Beatty is on Podbean at https://innovatingleadership.podbean.com/e/joycebeatty/.
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
Sponsorship Sales: Kristine Gross
Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.
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:
Doug McCollough has established himself as an advocate for diversity in technology. With over 20 years in technical and leadership roles in state government, Smart Cities, and nonprofits, Doug now serves as CEO of coding bootcamp Color Coded Labs and Executive Director of The Beta District, where he is a thought leader on initiatives as varied as smart mobility, broadband expansion, and blockchain in government. As a cofounder of Black Tech Columbus, he is passionate about extending the many opportunities of the technology industry to the pool of under-tapped talent sitting under our noses.
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