SETH KAHAN

Grand Challenge Leader

Making the Impossible Possible

Dealing with Disruption

Navigating Complex Systems— Hosted by Seth Kahan, a leader in designing and guiding large-scale, transformational initiatives, my posxar, “Seth Kahan on Grand Challenges” explores the world of systemic change. Each episode delves into real-world efforts to tackle society’s toughest issues, featuring my insights and conversations with trailblazing guests who have led similar groundbreaking projects. Together, we unpack techniques, mindsets, and valuable lessons from both triumphs and setbacks.

SETH KAHAN

Grand Challenge Leader

Making the Impossible Possible

Seth-Kahan-Grand-Challenge
Dealing with Disruption

Leadership is especially tough right now—with so much chaos, it's easy to lose focus. For over 25 years, I’ve coached leaders through major disruptions like 9/11, the 2008 crisis, and COVID-19. I’ve captured what works in my Disruption Playbook: seven key elements, each with two actionable steps you can take today. Click here to get your copy—and if you’d like to talk about how to apply it to your situation, contact me. No contract needed, just a conversation.

How to Deal with 2025 Disruptions

In today’s unpredictable environment, leadership requires more than resilience — it demands energy, intention, clarity, and adaptability. This Disruption Playbook offers a roadmap for executives to lead with foresight and integrity amid political volatility, cultural shifts, and systemic uncertainty.

How to Deal with 2025 Disruptions

In today’s unpredictable environment, leadership requires more than resilience — it demands energy, intention, clarity, and adaptability. This Disruption Playbook offers a roadmap for executives to lead with foresight and integrity amid political volatility, cultural shifts, and systemic uncertainty.

Making an Impact One Grand Challenge at a Time

Why Grand Challenges?

Grand Challenges represent the wicked problems that society faces—complex, persistent, and difficult to solve due to incomplete, contradictory, and ever-changing demands. Yet, addressing them is essential for humanity and life on Earth to survive and thrive. My work is dedicated to confronting these monumental issues.

These challenges are too vast for any single mind to fully comprehend or solve. They are multi-dimensional, with deep systemic roots that are reflected in legislation, policies, social behavior, and even individual thoughts and mindsets. These factors limit our ability to effectively address them.

However, there are models and frameworks I’ve developed to help organizations and activists collaborate in making tangible progress. These stem from my experience at the World Bank, where I’ve witnessed both the successes and failures of multinational efforts, and from my work with Grand Challenges in sectors that include maternal health in Kenya, earth science, finance, nursing, and mental health.

Grand Challenges are uniquely suited to meet the demands of our time. As we grapple with deeply entrenched issues such as global warming, climate change, biodiversity, partisan politics, justice and equity, and global health crises, these models provide a pathway for creating the social movements necessary to drive collective problem-solving and large-scale action.

To learn more about my work in tackling Grand Challenges, listen to my all new Podcast or visit Inside Grand Challenges.

Why Grand Challenges?

Grand Challenges represent the wicked problems that society faces—complex, persistent, and difficult to solve due to incomplete, contradictory, and ever-changing demands. Yet, addressing them is essential for humanity and life on Earth to survive and thrive. My work is dedicated to confronting these monumental issues.

These challenges are too vast for any single mind to fully comprehend or solve. They are multi-dimensional, with deep systemic roots that are reflected in legislation, policies, social behavior, and even individual thoughts and mindsets. These factors limit our ability to effectively address them.

However, there are models and frameworks I’ve developed to help organizations and activists collaborate in making tangible progress. These stem from my experience at the World Bank, where I’ve witnessed both the successes and failures of multinational efforts, and from my work with Grand Challenges in sectors that include maternal health in Kenya, earth science, finance, nursing, and mental health.

Grand Challenges are uniquely suited to meet the demands of our time. As we grapple with deeply entrenched issues such as global warming, climate change, biodiversity, partisan politics, justice and equity, and global health crises, these models provide a pathway for creating the social movements necessary to drive collective problem-solving and large-scale action.

To learn more about my work in tackling Grand Challenges, listen to my all new Podcast or visit Inside Grand Challenges.

These leaders brought me on board to help define and execute their Grand Challenges:

Marla Weston
Former CEO,
American Nurses Association

Kevin KellerKevin Keller
CFP Board of Standards,

These leaders brought me on board to help define and execute their Grand Challenges:

Dale Cyr

Dale Cyr
CEO and Executive Director
Inteleos

Chris McEnteeChris McEntee
Former CEO
American Geophysical Union,

Dale Cyr

Dale Cyr
CEO and Executive Director
Inteleos

Chris McEnteeChris McEntee
Former CEO
American Geophysical Union,

Grand Challenge:
Thriving Earth Exchange

Grand Challenges

A weekly video blog for those who are stepping up to lead Grand Challenges.

Monday Morning Mojo

A personal weekly newsletter designed to start your week off right!

Reports

Resources designed to address what you need to lead.

Grand Challenges

A weekly video blog for those who are stepping up to lead Grand Challenges.

Monday Morning Mojo

A personal weekly newsletter designed to start your week off right!

Reports

Resources designed to address what you need to lead.

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