S11-Ep10: Culture Change at 30,000 Feet: An Airport CEO’s Playbook

Guest: Joe Nardone, President & CEO, Columbus Regional Airport Authority

In this episode, Joe Nardone shares a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a $2 billion airport terminal…and a future-ready organization.

Joe dives into the true drivers of successful change: a relentless vision, a culture rooted in respect and innovation, and the hard reality that transformation often means losing good people who no longer fit the mission.

If you're navigating major change (or preparing to), this conversation offers powerful lessons in leadership grit, cultural evolution, and the courage required to build something extraordinary.

Here's what Joe and host Maureen Metcalf cover:

• Why even good, talented staff can “wash out” during culture change;
• How seeing your competition as Apple, LinkedIn, and other big brands outside your industry can drive better innovation; and
• The importance of designing for things that don’t even exist yet, not just today’s problems.

Other episodes you'll enjoy:

- Why Your Old Leadership Style Doesn’t Work Anymore with Gill Hickman and Jorrit Volkers

- Coming Soon to a Business Climate Near You with Matthew Griffin

- Adaptive Leadership & Culture Change with Ron Heifetz

 

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Joe’s work – and the progress on the new airport terminal – at https://flycolumbus.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

Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

 

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About Our Guest:

President & CEO, Joe Nardone oversees the strategic operation and management of Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s three airports. Leading all aspects of the organization, he is specifically tasked with advancing air service development and creating