When Vulnerability Becomes Your Most Powerful Career Tool | feat. D Magazine’s Power Couple - Marissa & Michael Horne

Lisa Gardner is joined by D Magazine’s power couple, Marissa and Michael Horne, to discuss leadership, love, and purpose. The conversation delves into their remarkable journey as a married couple, their professional achievements, and their approach to leadership across different sectors.  

Marissa, with a background in tech and financial services, and Michael, the President and CEO of Parkland Health Foundation, share intimate insights into their relationship, family dynamics, and how they support each other's individual and collective goals. They discuss their innovative approach to family management, including weekly family meetings and assigned roles, and explore the importance of inclusive leadership, generational shifts in the workplace, and maintaining authenticity in professional environments. 

Also in this episode:  

• Supportive Partnership: Marissa and Michael emphasize the importance of being each other's biggest supporters, with Michael often dreaming bigger for Marissa and encouraging her to step out of her comfort zone. 

• Intentional Family Management: They implement weekly family meetings and assign specific roles (like Director of Operations and Director of Health and Nutrition) to effectively manage family logistics and personal development. 

• Inclusive Leadership: Both stress the importance of creating workplace environments where everyone, regardless of level, feels empowered to share their perspectives and contribute to decision-making. 

• Generational Workplace Shifts: They discuss how younger generations are pushing organizations to be more transparent, collaborative, and purpose-driven, requiring leaders to adapt their management styles. 

• Faith and Purpose: Michael and Marissa ground their work and personal life in their faith, believing they have a higher purpose to serve others and create positive change in their community. 

• Continuous Learning and Growth: They approach both personal and professional challenges by breaking down complex tasks, staying flexible, and continuously learning from each other and their experiences.  

• Balancing Individual Strengths: The couple leverages their different professional backgrounds and skills (Marissa in tech and Michael in social services) to support each other's individual goals while maintaining a strong, unified partnership. 

 

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About Lisa Gardner 

Lisa Gardner is a corporate real estate thought leader and co-founder of OMS Strategic Advisors, LLC, focusing on real estate, strategy, and workforce development. With over 25 years of experience, she drives profitability by optimizing human capital, leading diversity initiatives, and crafting corporate strategies. She has managed national accounts for Fortune 500 companies like Wal-Mart and AT&T, and revitalized multicultural marketing for JCPenney. Lisa serves on the Executive Board of SMU's Cox School of Business and contributes to DCEO Magazine. She is active in her community at Gateway Church and lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two children. 

 

 

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