Don’t Create an Echo Chamber with Marwa Zakharia, MZ Global Consulting
Summary:
Are you creating a culture where your team feels comfortable giving you honest feedback?
In this episode of Don’t Do That, Kelly Waltrich is joined by Marwa Zakharia, former CEO of Assetbook and current industry consultant, to discuss leadership, building successful teams, and creating a healthy company culture. Marwa shares her philosophy on leading with humility, accepting feedback, and creating an environment where team members feel valued and heard. Throughout the conversation, Kelly and Marwa explore why leaders must get out of their own way, embrace their shortcomings, and avoid creating an echo chamber where they’re the smartest person in the room.
Kelly and Marwa cover:
01:22 Marwa’s background as a “business nerd”
02:52 Marwa’s diverse industry experience and people-first leadership approach
04:05 How Marwa and Kelly met through Assetbook’s marketing needs
04:46 The unique dynamic of working with a spouse
09:53 The importance of women accepting credit and celebrating wins
12:06 Why it’s often easier for women to take criticism than praise
13:04 The difference between culture and perks in the workplace
14:28 Creating a genuine open-door policy and encouraging honest feedback
15:14 The importance of client appreciation
16:56 How leadership sets the tone for protecting team members
17:55 Using spot bonuses and recognition to show appreciation
19:21The impact of recognition on company culture
21:25 Marwa’s new venture, “Forked Up,” helping small restaurants with marketing
25:57 Marwa’s “Don’t Do That” – don’t be the smartest person in your echo chamber
27:55 Creating an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing feedback
29:07 The importance of bringing solutions, not just problems
31:21 The value of assuming positive intent in difficult conversations
33:07 Advice for leaders who lack a feedback-friendly culture
34:33 Marwa’s love for her career adventures and aggressive approach to growth
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Connect with Marwa Zakharia
About Our Guest:
As a seasoned Turnaround and Growth CEO, Marwa leads organizations through pivotal stages of their development across various industries, with a specialization in financial services and technology. Whether revitalizing underperforming operations or driving scalable, sustainable growth, she has a proven track record of navigating challenges and identifying key opportunities for expansion. Marwa’s approach combines deep operational insight with innovative strategies, empowering teams to execute on a clear vision while tackling complex market dynamics, particularly in the fast-evolving fintech space.
Marwa is also deeply committed to mentoring and building growth-oriented, team-centric cultures that prioritize fulfillment and collaboration. She believes that fostering a strong, motivated workforce is key to long-term success and works to create environments where teams thrive and individuals grow alongside the business.
In addition to her corporate leadership, Marwa believes in the value of community and serves as an executive board member for a non-profit that provides educational and arts programs to children and youth. Her dedication to empowering others through service reflects her broader commitment to fostering positive change both in business and in the community.