E57: Archetypes, Liminal Spaces, and Leading Through Transition with Karin Norington-Reaves
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What if the secret to great leadership lies not just in strategy, but in vulnerability and self-awareness? In this episode, Dr. Bobbi Wegner sits down with powerhouse leader Karin Norington-Reaves to unpack the psychology behind high-performing teams, the surprising value of public apologies, and how to navigate the “liminal spaces” of major career transitions. Through candid stories, refreshing humor, and practical tactics, they reveal how embracing our most human moments is the key to inspiring real cohesion and growth—at work and beyond. Listen in for a masterclass on how to lead with heart and clarity, even when life (and your shoes) don't match.
Karin Norington-Reaves is a workforce development leader, public servant, CEO, and former law professor. As the president and CEO of Cara Collective, she draws on more than 30 years of experience across education, law, advocacy, and community development, with a driving mission to “see people win.” Karin previously served as the founding CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, connecting over 100,000 people in the Chicago area with meaningful careers and as CEO of IC Stars, preparing underrepresented talent for technology jobs. Her work exemplifies a blend of visionary leadership, community impact, and a personal dedication to lifting others up.
KEY TOPICS
How Karin Norington-Reaves blends serious leadership with "childlike wonder" to keep joy in high-stakes work [04:03]
The power of personality archetypes and assessments like MBTI and DiSC in shaping leadership styles and team dynamics [05:33]
Why public apologies matter: refusing private apologies for public affronts to build trust and psychological safety [13:30]
Spotting team disengagement in meetings, virtual and in-person and tactical ways to bring everyone back into the conversation [19:31]
Embracing "liminal spaces": navigating career and identity transitions by reflecting on past coping skills and finding new personal integration [29:02]
Todays guest, Karin Norington-Reaves, can be found online at:
Website: https://caracollective.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-norington-reaves-b29a603/
Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:
Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/
Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/