In Session: John Renehan

In this episode of In Session, John Renehan, Aspen Institute First Mover Fellow and Vice President of Data and AI at Pratt and Whitney, reflects on what it truly means to lead with integrity in a complex and fast moving world.

Renehan challenges the idea that leadership is simply about getting things done. How we lead matters just as much as the results we achieve. Leading without ethics, respect, or care for relationships, he notes, undermines real progress.

Trust, he says, is both rare and essential. It grows when people feel safe enough to be authentic, to admit mistakes, to ask questions, and to show up as themselves. Renehan has seen this in classrooms and in corporate teams. The strongest relationships and the most enduring teams are built on honesty and humanity.

A core leadership unlock, he adds, is giving people a voice. When individuals feel valued, listened to, and included in decisions, their expertise and energy flourish. Too often, ideas go unheard simply because people do not have a platform or do not feel respected.

Renehan also credits the Aspen First Movers Fellowship with strengthening his commitment to patient and courageous leadership. Meaningful change, especially inside large organizations, takes years. It requires resilience, creativity, and a willingness to stay the course even when obstacles persist.

His message is simple: when leaders encourage authenticity, elevate every voice, and lead with integrity, teams thrive and real and lasting change becomes possible.

Ultimately, great leadership is fueled by joy and alignment. When you’re excited to go to work, when the mission resonates, and when there’s room for humor even in hard work, teams thrive—and big problems become more solvable.