Advertise on podcast: The Leadership Podcast by Niels Brabandt EMBA MBA / NB Networks

How to find the right advice is one of the most critical leadership challenges in modern business. In this episode, Niels Brabandt explains how decision-makers can identify credible expertise, avoid common selection mistakes and implement evidence-based leadership decisions. This episode covers: - how to distinguish between training, coaching and consulting - why experience, qualification and scientific foundation are essential - how to avoid confirmation bias and poor advisor selection - how to implement transparent decision-making processes Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

Introducing Start with Yourself: A New Vision for Work & Life with Emma Grede and Oprah from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast Emma Grede has become one of the most influential voices in modern business. She is best known as a founding partner of SKIMS, co-founder and CEO of the clothing brand Good American, her podcast Aspire with Emma Grede and as the first Black female investor on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. She is helping redefine what success looks like for a new generation of women. In this conversation with Oprah, Emma dives into her first book Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work and Life sharing the mindset behind her rise from a young girl in East London to a global business leader. Drawing on the lessons in her book, Emma opens up about radical self-accountability, the power of discipline and why success starts from within. She also shares her bold perspectives on work-life balance, motherhood without guilt and why women must get comfortable putting money and ambition at the forefront. Plus, we hear from twin sisters who turned a simple idea into a hundred-million-dollar business after making a deal with Emma on Shark Tank. BUY THE BOOK! Emma Grede "Start with Yourself" https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Start-With-Yourself/Emma-Grede/9781668085486 00:00:00 - Welcome Emma Grede author of “Start with Yourself” 00:04:18 - Emma knew she needed to change 00:06:10 - Realizing what you don’t want 00:08:35 - How Emma changed her life 00:13:45 - Radical ownership and real barriers 00:15:10 - We need more women in power 00:19:00 - Career and motherhood 00:20:20 - We put too much pressure on moms 00:22:50 - Truth vs. emotions in business 00:24:22 - Mistakes Emma made 00:27:00 - Emma and Skims 00:27:50 - Building from purpose vs. ego 00:31:00 - Emma funded this on Shark Tank 00:36:00 - Importance of mentorship 00:38:20 - When to scale a small business 00:39:30 - The most important question 00:42:20 - What does self-care look like? 00:43:30 - Meditation practice 00:46:00 - Emma on life being magic 00:49:30 - Overcoming comparison 00:51:00 - Why she wrote the book 00:52:40 - Dyslexia is a superpower 00:54:30 - Is every woman meant for business? 00:56:30 - A well-lived life Cakes Body https://cakesbody.com/ Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

In this episode, leadership expert Niels Brabandt speaks with LinkedIn strategist Eli Igra Serfaty about the strategic importance of LinkedIn for business leaders, organisations, and B2B growth. LinkedIn has evolved into the leading global platform for professional influence, with over 1.3 billion users and millions of decision-makers. It is no longer just a recruitment tool. It is a critical driver of visibility, trust, and business opportunity, and increasingly a key layer in AI-driven search and answer engines. This episode explores: - Why LinkedIn is essential for decision-makers and organisations - How to build authority, credibility, and trust through LinkedIn - The role of LinkedIn in B2B sales and long-term decision-making - Why content and comments are equally important - How to optimise your LinkedIn profile for impact and visibility - The difference between vanity metrics and meaningful engagement - Practical strategies to grow your network and business pipeline Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

How long does knowledge remain relevant in modern business? And when does experience become a liability rather than an asset?   In this episode, Niels Brabandt explores the concept of the half-life of knowledge and experience and its profound implications for leadership and organisational success. Decision-makers must understand that knowledge depreciates rapidly, and only continuous learning ensures sustained performance.   Key topics: - The half-life of knowledge in fast-changing industries - The role of experience in complex environments - Why leaders resist change despite promoting it - The importance of evidence-based leadership - Continuous professional development as a strategic necessity   Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, scale, and compete.   In this episode, Niels Brabandt speaks with AI expert Philippe Theunissen, author of "The Autonomous Business", about how agentic AI is enabling a new era of business growth. Learn how organisations can leverage AI agents to automate execution, enhance productivity, and create competitive advantage.   Key topics: - What defines an autonomous business - How AI agents transform execution and operations - The current window of opportunity for AI adoption - Common mistakes when implementing agentic AI - How to manage cost, risk, and scalability   Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

Why do organisations consistently fail in recruiting despite significant investment? In this episode, Niels Brabandt explains why recruiters are one of the most critical yet underestimated success factors in modern organisations. Drawing on the primacy-recency effect, this episode demonstrates how first and last impressions determine candidate decisions and why poor recruiter performance leads directly to talent loss. Key insights include: The strategic role of recruiters in organisational success Why candidate experience determines hiring outcomes Common leadership failures in recruiting How qualification, motivation, and process design interact Practical approaches to improving recruiting performance Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

How should leaders respond to artificial intelligence, generational change, and increasing decision pressure? In this episode, Niels Brabandt interviews Dr. Kelly Monahan to explore how leadership is being fundamentally redefined by AI, Gen Z expectations, and accelerated decision-making. This conversation provides evidence-based insights for decision-makers who need to lead through uncertainty and complexity. Key insights include: How AI is democratising intelligence and reshaping leadership Why smaller, AI-enabled teams outperform traditional structures The Gen Z paradox and its impact on motivation and performance How leaders can create purpose and retain talent Why slowing down improves decision-making in high-pressure environments Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/  Niels Brabandts Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandts Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/

Leadership burnout is a growing but often overlooked risk in today's business environment. In this episode, Niels Brabandt explores the root causes of leadership burnout, including rising complexity, role inflation, hybrid work challenges, and the lack of formal leadership education. Key topics include: - What is leadership burnout and why it matters - The impact of AI and organisational complexity - Role inflation and permanent visibility - Hybrid leadership and boundary management - Leadership science as a strategic solution Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt speaks with podcasting expert Gal Ko about why podcasting has become one of the most powerful tools for business growth and influence. This episode explores how leaders can leverage podcasting strategically without the need to launch their own show. Key topics include: - Why executives increasingly rely on podcasts for decision-making - Why starting a podcast is often the wrong approach - How to leverage existing podcasts to build authority - The multiplier effect of podcast content - How to identify high-quality podcast opportunities - How to overcome barriers to getting started This episode is essential for decision-makers, founders, and leaders who want to expand their reach and influence. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews executive communication expert Frankie Kemp on how to present and pitch effectively in leadership roles. This episode explores why most pitches fail and how leaders can influence decisions in high-stakes environments. Key topics include: - Why pitching is a core leadership skill - The common mistakes in presentations and slide-based communication - How to reduce cognitive load for decision-makers - A structured approach to effective pitching - The importance of adapting to your audience - How emotion and storytelling drive decisions This episode is essential for decision-makers, executives, and leaders who want to increase their influence and impact. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt speaks with executive communication expert Frankie Kemp about how to develop presence without relying on loudness. This episode challenges common misconceptions about visibility and influence in leadership and provides practical strategies for decision-makers. Key topics include: - Why loudness does not equal leadership presence - The difference between charisma and influence - The role of nonverbal communication and congruence - How listening increases leadership effectiveness - Practical techniques such as looping and strategic questioning - How to balance visibility with restraint This episode is essential for leaders who want to increase influence, credibility, and impact without dominating conversations. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Webseite: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews executive communication expert Frankie Kemp on how to succeed in C-Suite interviews. This episode explores why highly experienced professionals often fail at the final stage of executive selection and what differentiates successful candidates. Key topics include: - How to approach C-Suite interviews strategically - The importance of executive presence and nonverbal communication - How to overcome imposter syndrome at senior levels - The balance between confidence and arrogance - How to position yourself as a decision-maker, not a candidate - Practical techniques to build authority and trust in interviews This episode is essential for leaders aiming for executive roles and organisations seeking to improve leadership selection. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt explores the critical role of trust and the benefit of the doubt in modern leadership. Drawing on real-world data and leadership experience, this episode examines why organisations struggle with talent shortages while simultaneously rejecting capable candidates. Key topics include: - The paradox of talent shortage and youth unemployment - Why leaders avoid risk in hiring decisions - The importance of the benefit of the doubt in leadership - How organisational culture impacts trust and performance - The role of onboarding and probation in managing risk - Why reflection is essential for effective leadership This episode is essential for decision-makers, executives, and leaders who want to build sustainable organisations based on trust. Gastgeber: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Kontakt zu Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandts Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandts Webseite: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

How do professionals gain buy-in from senior leaders when time is limited and attention is scarce? In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Bianca Riemer about executive presence, influence and how professionals can communicate ideas in ways that senior decision makers actually act upon. Bianca Riemer, a former Morgan Stanley analyst and expert in executive communication, explains why strong analysis alone rarely convinces stakeholders. Drawing on her experience in high-stakes financial environments, she shares practical strategies for gaining buy-in without relying on large networks or lengthy presentations. The discussion explores how professionals can frame recommendations strategically, how to understand the priorities of executives and why short, focused conversations are often more effective than long presentations. Bianca Riemer and Niels Brabandt also discuss how different leadership mindsets influence decision making in organisations and how professionals can adapt their communication style to different departments and executives. This episode is essential listening for executives, analysts and business professionals who want to strengthen their executive presence and influence in high-level decision environments. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/ 

Why do so many digital transformation projects fail even when organisations invest heavily in technology? In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt speaks with transformation expert Barbara Wittmann, founder of the Digital Wisdom Collective. Drawing on more than twenty five years of experience rescuing failing technology programmes, Barbara Wittmann explains why transformation rarely fails because of technology and almost always fails because of leadership and organisational culture. The conversation explores how organisations can build what Barbara Wittmann calls human infrastructure. Leaders learn why empowering people, encouraging open dialogue and developing strategic orientation are critical for successful transformation. Barbara Wittmann and Niels Brabandt also discuss how leaders can influence change inside large organisations, how executives can align investors and internal teams, and why asking the right questions is often more powerful than pushing back against senior stakeholders. This episode is essential listening for executives, transformation leaders and decision makers who want to lead successful technology transformation initiatives. Host: Niels Brabandt / [email protected] Contact Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/ Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/ Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/