Welcome to Messy - Making Sense of Leadership

Loading player...
Ever wonder if leaders really matter in complex organizations?

I’m Daniel Atlin, an executive coach with over 30 years steering Canada’s universities, co-ops, and government sectors. In Messy, I dive into the chaotic world of purpose-driven leadership—think higher education, healthcare, and NGOs. Join me as I talk with global leaders about navigating stakeholder conflicts, geopolitical shifts, and crises, all while balancing influence over authority. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

This is Messy - together we'll make sense of the mess
8 Jun English Canada Management · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Changing the narrative - regreening a community | Lynn Wells

Leading through renewal and reinvention. What does it take to lead after an institutional trauma and how to do this work without making it about you? Dr. Lynn Wells, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University, traces a steady path from crisis to renewal: changing a damaging narrative, rebuilding trust, and…
12 Nov 50 min

A foot in two different worlds | Daniel Sharaiha

Balancing heart and mind. This “Messy” conversation is a bit of a departure from previous episodes as I talk to a bank executive in the Middle East who also works with NGOs and charities. Daniel Sharaiha grew up and lives in Jordan with one foot in business and the other…
28 Oct 33 min

Lead with purpose, not position | Dr Diana Beech

Navigating the mess to find opportunities. In a messy world, leadership doesn’t come with a roadmap — it comes with questions, courage, and relentless purpose. In this rich and reflective conversation, Dr. Diana Beech, inaugural Director of the Finsbury Institute at City St George’s, University of London, explores her unconventional…
15 Oct 33 min

Leading Through Healing | Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon

Know yourself: surrender to the mess. What does it really mean to lead with authenticity? And how does healing your own wounds shape the way you show up as a leader? In this powerful episode of MESSY, host Daniel Atlin sits down with Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice Chancellor…
6 Oct 34 min

Tap into an outsider mindset | Tim McTiernan

Your identity is your superpower. Tim McTiernan is Irish-Canadian and has extensive experience in social purpose organisations from governments (Ontario, Yukon, Ireland) and post-secondary institutions (University of Toronto, Canadore College, Ontario Tech). In this Messy with Daniel Atlin podcast, I speak with Tim as he shares his life journey from…
29 Sep 47 min