skinny.

Latest / Townsend Institute Podcast Series

068 | Chris McFarland: Leadership Pivots

When Your Three-Year Plan Collapses in Six Hours—What Do You Do?

On this final episode of TIPS for 2025, hosts Ashlie and Gilbert sit down with Chris McFarland—executive vice president, founder of McFarland Crew Leadership, and Townsend Institute director—to explore adaptive leadership in crisis moments. Hear his story of how he spent three years planning a huge event on the National Mall that ultimately had to shut down six hours early due to weather. Talk about a pivot!

You'll discover:

How to pivot and execute under immense pressure when plans fall apart

Why flexibility and curiosity are…

The skinny

The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.