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

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

Making an Impact One Grand Challenge at a Time

Marla Weston “Seth Kahan assisted us at the American Nurses Association as we launched our Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation Grand Challenge. His steady wisdom and insights guided us from inception through launch and implementation.”

–Marla Weston
Former CEO, American Nurses Association

Mary Power “Seth is my Yoda!”

–Mary Power
Former CEO, Council of Better Business Bureaus

Chris McEntee “Seth accelerates progress in societal Grand Challenges by creating networks of groups and uniting them behind shared goals.”

Chris McEntee,
former CEO, American Geophysical Union

Dale Cyr “Grand Challenges are audacious and bring disruption with feelings of uncertainty. Seth’s experience and knowledge offers program leadership and a process that brings stability and confidence to all involved.”

–Dale Cyr
CEO, Inteleos

Marilyn Mohrman-Gillis “Seth Kahan, with his inspirational “grand challenge” approach, skillful facilitation, and relentless encouragement to set daring goals, was a driving force behind the Center for Financial Planning, a successful, systemwide collaboration to advance the financial well-being of every American.”

–Marilyn Mohrman-Gillis
Former executive director, Center for Financial Planning

Mark Rappaport “I have just begun to work with Seth on a very risky but potentially transformative Grand Challenge. Seth’s knowledge, experience, organizational skills, enthusiasm and tremendous “people” skills, give me confidence that we will succeed in eliminating mental health and substance use disorder stigma.”

–Mark Rapaport
CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Institute

Kevin Keller “With his insightful questioning and his challenging us to think big, Seth inspired the leadership at CFP Board to bring our entire industry together in a way that excited people to work toward a common vision. His project for us was completed in 2015, and seven years later, we are still getting results from the initiative that Seth helped us conceive.”

–Kevin Keller
CEO, Center for Financial Planning

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.