Overcommunicate: Meeting Them Where They Are
From Can You Hear Me? by Rob Johnson and Eileen Rochford
June 10, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 116
About this episode
The episode discusses adaptive leadership and the importance of meeting team members where they are, featuring insights from Kathryn Lavin.
For some bosses, having their direct reports adhere to their unwavering management style is imperative. But an increasing number of C-Suite leaders understand that, to get the most out of their team, they must be adaptive leaders. In today’s episode of Can You Hear Me?, co-hosts Eileen Rochford and Rob Johnson explore Chapter 8 of Rob’s new book “Overcommunicate” with CEO of the Not-For-Profit, Gateway to Learning, Kathryn Lavin. It’s called “Meeting Them Where They Are.” As an advocate in the disability community, Kathryn Heck Lavin, MSW, possesses a unique set of experiences. Kathryn has worked in numerous leadership roles supporting children and adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities for over 35 years and is a mother of a daughter with IDD. She holds undergraduate degrees in Middle School Education and Human Development from Boston College, and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work/UIC, while pregnant with her first child, Emily, who was born with Down syndrome. Her professional roles have included researcher, director of community relations and development, Executive Director of the National Lekotek/AblePlay Center…
People in this episode
Hosts: Rob Johnson, Eileen Rochford
Guest: Kathryn Lavin
Topics covered
- adaptive leadership
- disability advocacy
- inclusive education
- C-Suite leadership
- team management
Keywords
- adaptive leadership
- disability community
- inclusive education
- C-Suite
- team management
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Gateway to Learning, National Association for Down Syndrome
Books & works: Overcommunicate
Places: Chicago
More episodes of Can You Hear Me?
- Trailer: Overcommunicate: Meeting Them Where They Are · June 9, 2026 · 1 min
- Overcommunicate: The Illusion We are Communicating · May 27, 2026 · 30 min
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