Boardsi Leadership Talks

From Boardrooms to Politics Bridging Divides with Empathy

Martin Rowinski Season 2 Episode 27

Can we still have productive conversations across political divides? Shannon Watson—TEDx speaker and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle—reveals how leaders can foster collaboration in polarized times. In this episode of Boardsi Leadership Talks, you’ll learn:


✅ Why "relationships are the work" (and how she learned this as an introvert)
✅ The seating chart trick that reduces political conflict (used in MN Senate)
✅ How business leaders can advocate for healthier dialogue without backlash
✅ Mentorship secrets for elevating women in leadership
✅ Why vulnerability = boardroom currency (the power of "failure stories")

🔗 Connect with Shannon:
Majority in the Middle | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwatson/
https://www.caspercorcoran.com/

📌 Chapters:
00:00 - From Police Chief’s Daughter to Civility Leader
04:56 - "I’m an Introvert Who Learned to Love Relationships"
09:34 - The Seating Chart That Reduces Conflict (Real MN Example)
14:41 - How Boards Can Engage Without Polarizing
21:15 - Mentorship: Putting Others in the Spotlight
22:28 - TEDx-Worthy Storytelling for Executives
28:19 - Why Your "Failure Resume" Matters More Than Success

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