Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard Messy with Daniel Atlin

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 2025 English Canada Management · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Should you Collaborate with the Enemy? | Adam Kahane

If you're not part of the problem, you can't be part of the solution. In this episode of Messy, Daniel Atlin sits down with global facilitator and systems practitioner Adam Kahane to explore what it really means to collaborate when agreement feels impossible. They explore collaboration across deep divides, the…
25 Feb 51 min

Between the Dance Floor and the Balcony | Iain Martin

Leading across Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. What does it mean to lead a university when trust in public institutions is eroding and the rules keep changing? In this episode of Messy, I speak with Iain Martin, President and Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, about navigating leadership in the thick…
9 Feb 57 min

Structured Chaos in a Messy System | John Yip

A little playbook, a little Picasso. Healthcare is often treated as a hospital story, until you need care at home. In this episode of Messy, I am joined by John Yip, President & CEO of SE Health, to talk about leading at the intersection of health systems, digital transformation, workforce…
28 Jan 56 min

Universities at the Boundary | Meric Gertler

Sensemaking and Placemaking. In June 2025, Meric Gertler completed a 12-year term as President of the University of Toronto. I had the privilege and good fortune to first meet and work with Meric Gertler in 2007 when he was then the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science at…
15 Jan 58 min

Why global health needs collective leadership | Heather Anderson and David Kamau

Lasting impact happens inside people and adaptation is the critical skill. “That trusted network of peers is what keeps leaders standing when the work feels overwhelming.” In this episode of Messy with Daniel Atlin, I have a conversation with Heather Anderson (CEO) and David Kamau (Chief Program Officer) from Global…
8 Jan 47 min
All episodes