The Leadership Podcast by Niels Brabandt EMBA MBA / NB Networks

In this episode, Niels Brabandt speaks with Mel Blackwell about how organisations can repair dysfunctional workplace cultures and build high-performance environments. Mel Blackwell, author of Uncommon Sense and former C-suite executive, outlines practical strategies for creating accountability, empowering problem-solving and fostering ownership at every level of the organisation. Key topics include: • The Best Pledge and personal standards of excellence  • Transforming culture one person at a time  • Creating a problem-solving culture with solution ownership  • The shepherd mindset in leadership  • Removing organisational obstacles and red tape  • Allowing controlled failure for professional growth  • Cultural change in large corporate environments  Mel Blackwell and Niels Brabandt provide leadership insights designed for CEOs, executives, founders, HR leaders and decision-makers in business seeking sustainable cultural transformation. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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, Niels Brabandt speaks with Mo Rousso about how organisations can implement artificial intelligence without losing control, trust or strategic discipline. Mo Rousso shares insights from his experience as a serial entrepreneur and business coach, explaining why AI must be governed like any other team member within the organisation. Key topics include: • AI as an additional teammate, not a replacement  • Accountability and leadership responsibility in AI-driven decisions  • Managing AI hallucinations and data integrity risks  • Governance frameworks and organisational guardrails  • Pilot programmes for safe AI integration  • Scaling AI without undermining culture and trust  • Balancing speed and precision in growth-focused organisations  Mo Rousso and Niels Brabandt provide practical guidance for CEOs, executives, founders and board members seeking to integrate AI responsibly and strategically. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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, Niels Brabandt speaks with Marcus Fontoura, Microsoft Technical Fellow and author of Human Agency in a Digital World, about the future of artificial intelligence and the enduring role of human judgement. Key topics include: • Human agency in the age of artificial intelligence  • AI and job transformation versus job displacement  • Cloud computing as the foundation of modern AI systems  • Energy consumption and sustainability of data centres  • 40/60 versus 10/90 strategic decisions  • Talent strategy in an era of automation  • The real role of quantum computing  Marcus Fontoura provides technical depth and strategic clarity, while Niels Brabandt translates these insights into actionable leadership implications for decision-makers in business. This episode is essential listening for CEOs, senior executives, board members, technology leaders and entrepreneurs navigating digital transformation. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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, Niels Brabandt examines the leader's myth of neutrality and explains why true objectivity in leadership is far more complex than many executives assume. Using a documented legal case as a starting point, Niels Brabandt analyses how unconscious bias shapes performance evaluations, promotion decisions and corporate governance. He outlines practical steps leaders must take to move from subjective judgement to evidence-based decision-making. Key topics include: • The illusion of neutrality in leadership  • Unconscious bias and its organisational impact  • Performance reviews grounded in documented evidence  • Legal risks of subjective promotion criteria  • The difference between professional standards and personal preference  • Awareness training and structured bias qualification  • Data-driven leadership and measurable accountability  This episode is essential listening for CEOs, executives, board members, HR leaders and decision-makers in business who seek to strengthen credibility, fairness and governance standards. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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, Niels Brabandt speaks with Marianne Abib-Pech, author of The Financial Times Guide to Leadership, about the state of leadership in 2026. Key themes include: • Leadership as a state of mind and continuous journey  • Building a powerful and authentic leadership brand  • Credibility in volatile business environments  • The shift from specialist generalist to generalised expert  • Strategic networking and influence  • Vision versus mission in modern organisations  • Leadership accelerators: neuroscience, crisis communication and artificial intelligence  Marianne Abib-Pech shares practical insights drawn from her career as a CFO, investor and board-level advisor. Niels Brabandt translates these perspectives into actionable leadership guidance for decision-makers in business. This episode is essential listening for CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, board members and aspiring leaders seeking to strengthen credibility, expand influence and future-proof their leadership approach. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

What distinguishes dominant leaders from truly effective leaders? In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Keenan L. McBride, leadership author and learning and development executive, on how leaders must lead with dominion rather than dominance. You will learn: Why dominance undermines leadership credibility  Why leaders must continuously refine their mindset  How cultural and artistic appreciation strengthens leadership judgement  Why quiet strength creates executive presence  How leaders build trust and organisational performance  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers seeking to strengthen leadership effectiveness. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

What separates exceptional sales leaders from average performers? In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Glenn Poulos, LinkedIn Top Voice, entrepreneur, and author of Never Sit in the Lobby. You will learn: Why presence and discipline define leadership credibility  Why leaders must learn to say no to strengthen authority  How disciplined communication improves leadership effectiveness  Why curiosity, discipline, and resilience determine success  How brand positioning influences leadership outcomes  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers responsible for business growth and leadership. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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 joining organisational teams, but how should leaders respond? In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Josh Epperson, senior executive and author of Bacon, Bots and Teamwork, on how leaders can successfully orchestrate human-AI collaboration. You will learn: Why fear prevents successful AI adoption  Why human identity remains essential in AI-driven organisations  How leaders can implement AI through practical experimentation  Why small organisations can benefit significantly from AI  How leaders can demonstrate value and drive organisational adoption  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers responsible for AI strategy and organisational leadership. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

Employee disengagement is one of the greatest threats to organisational performance. In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Kevin Patrick, ERP transformation expert and certified Dream Manager, on why organisations must invest in employees' aspirations. You will learn: Why disengagement undermines organisational performance  How leadership decisions impact employee engagement  How the Dream Manager framework strengthens organisational culture  Why investing in employees creates measurable financial returns  How executives can reduce turnover and improve performance  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers committed to organisational excellence. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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 leadership, but many organisations remain unprepared. In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews AI educator and author Noah Kruthaupt, founder of AI Answered and co-author of AI for Boomers. You will learn: Why AI adoption created confusion across leadership teams  Why AI literacy is now a core leadership competency  How leaders can introduce AI effectively across generations  Why human oversight remains essential in AI-driven organisations  How executives can unlock AI's strategic value  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers responsible for AI strategy and organisational leadership. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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 leaders lose credibility, talent, and organisational trust when they lack context? In this executive leadership podcast, leadership expert Niels Brabandt explains why contextual awareness is one of the most critical leadership competencies. You will learn: Why leaders lose context as they become more successful  How leadership communication directly impacts organisational performance  Why self-reflection is essential for leadership credibility  How leaders can protect their organisation from reputational damage  How decision-makers can maintain contextual awareness  This episode is essential listening for executives, founders, and decision-makers committed to effective leadership. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

Management buy-outs can create extraordinary value or quietly destroy organisations. In this executive leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews management buy-out expert Byron McFarland, founder of The McFarland Group and author of The Bankable Buyer. You will learn: Why most management buy-outs fail before they begin  How leadership alignment determines success or failure  Why ownership requires psychological and financial readiness  How founders should prepare their organisation years in advance  The critical leadership mindset required for successful succession  This episode is essential listening for founders, executives, business owners, and decision-makers considering a management buy-out. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact to 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 do organisations move from AI prototypes to production-ready large language model systems? In this leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews data scientist and author Laura Funderburk, who explains how executives can build reliable, scalable, and responsible LLM pipelines. Key insights include: Why most LLM initiatives fail after prototype stage  How executives can manage hidden costs and total cost of ownership  Why context engineering and data infrastructure are critical  How to ensure governance, evaluation, and regulatory compliance  A practical 90-day roadmap for deploying production-ready LLM systems  This episode is essential listening for executives, CIOs, CTOs, and decision-makers responsible for AI strategy. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact to 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/ 

Toxic leadership is one of the most damaging yet misunderstood challenges in modern organisations. In this episode, Niels Brabandt explains how decision-makers can accurately identify toxic leadership, distinguish it from direct and necessary leadership, and respond in a professional and strategic manner. The episode explores early warning signs such as lack of accountability and micromanagement, escalating patterns including inconsistency, favouritism and fear-based leadership, and extreme cases involving abuse of power, gaslighting and ethical flexibility. Niels Brabandt also outlines concrete steps for self-protection, external reality checks, formal escalation and leadership by leaving. This episode is essential listening for executives, senior leaders and business decision-makers who want to address toxic leadership responsibly and protect organisational performance. Keywords: Niels Brabandt, toxic leadership, toxic leadership podcast, leadership failure, business leadership, organisational culture, power abuse, micromanagement, gaslighting, ethical leadership, decision-makers Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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 does a global digital business emerge from a teenage project built in an attic? In this episode, Niels Brabandt speaks with Jeroen Derwort, founder of Online Soccer Manager, about leadership, focus and timing in building a product that reached more than one hundred million players worldwide. The conversation explores early-stage entrepreneurship without capital, the importance of strategic focus, critical technology shifts such as mobile platforms, and the leadership challenges that arise as organisations scale. Jeroen Derwort also reflects on knowing when to step aside as a founder and what it truly means to exit a business. This episode is essential listening for decision-makers interested in entrepreneurship, digital strategy and leadership across growth stages. Keywords: Niels Brabandt, Jeroen Derwort, Online Soccer Manager, entrepreneurship, digital leadership, founder journey, business growth, scaling organisations, leadership transition, technology strategy Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/   

Getting your message across is one of the most underestimated challenges in leadership. In this episode, Niels Brabandt speaks with communication expert Frankie Kemp about why so many leaders struggle to be heard and how decision-makers can communicate with clarity, credibility and strategic impact. The conversation explores ineffective meeting cultures, overreliance on slide decks, and the misconception that strong communication requires extroversion or performance. Frankie Kemp explains how leaders can shift from presenting to connecting, focus on what truly matters to senior audiences and communicate authentically without losing rigour. This episode is essential listening for executives, senior managers and decision-makers who want their communication to drive alignment, trust and results. Keywords: Niels Brabandt, Frankie Kemp, leadership communication, executive communication, getting your message across, business leadership, meeting effectiveness, presentation skills, authentic leadership, decision-makers Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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 no longer experimental. It is embedded in daily business decisions, workflows, and leadership processes. Yet across organisations, trust in Artificial Intelligence remains fragile. In this episode of the Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt explains why AI adoption fails not because of technological limitations, but because leadership underestimates the human, cultural, and organisational risks attached to its use. Business leaders often interpret hesitation towards AI as resistance to change. In reality, scepticism is frequently rational. When Artificial Intelligence produces incorrect or fabricated results, the consequences inside organisations can be severe. Employees understand that using AI and being wrong may be punished more harshly than avoiding AI altogether and working without it. This episode explores: Why trust in Artificial Intelligence is primarily a leadership responsibility How organisational culture silently discourages AI usage Why poor AI awareness training destroys trust instead of building it The importance of scientific credibility and professional qualification in AI education Why leaders must actively use AI themselves to enable adoption How accountability, resources, and psychological safety determine successful AI implementation Drawing on international experience across large corporations and smaller organisations, Niels Brabandt outlines a structured approach to building trust in Artificial Intelligence through leadership behaviour, professional training, and organisational support systems. This episode is essential listening for executives, senior managers, HR leaders, and business decision makers responsible for AI strategy, digital transformation, and organisational change. Trust in Artificial Intelligence is not created by tools or mandates. It is created by leadership. Keywords: Niels Brabandt Trust in Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence leadership AI adoption in organisations Leadership and AI Digital transformation leadership Responsible AI in business AI and organisational culture Executive leadership and AI Change management and Artificial Intelligence AI awareness training Human trust in AI systems Future of work and AI Decision making with Artificial Intelligence Host: Niels Brabandt Contact to 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 provides an evidence-based, executive-level analysis of how to lead Generation Z effectively in today's organisations and why traditional authority-driven leadership models are no longer sufficient. Drawing on organisational psychology, labour market dynamics and practical leadership experience, Niels Brabandt explains why credibility now outweighs hierarchy, why purpose has become a decisive factor in motivation, and why psychological safety is a strategic prerequisite for performance, innovation and retention. He demonstrates how unscientific recruiting practices, outdated power structures and generational stereotypes damage employer branding, trust and long-term competitiveness. Key topics include: Who Generation Z really is and why generational stereotypes fail Why positional authority is losing impact and credibility is becoming the core leadership currency The role of purpose, values and meaning in motivating high-performing talent Psychological safety as a leadership responsibility and performance driver Evidence-based recruiting and the dangers of pseudoscientific assessment methods Situational awareness in an era of rising living costs, talent shortages and changing career expectations Generational diversity as a strategic advantage for leadership, culture, innovation and market relevance This episode is designed for board members, executives, HR leaders and senior decision makers who want to future-proof their leadership approach and successfully attract, retain and develop Generation Z in knowledge-driven, highly competitive environments. Keywords: Niels Brabandt, Leadership, Leading Generation Z, Gen Z at Work, Modern Leadership, Psychological Safety, Credibility in Leadership, Purpose Driven Leadership, Employer Branding, Talent Management, Recruiting Strategy, Organisational Culture, Diversity and Inclusion, Evidence Based Management, Future of Work, Executive Leadership, Sustainable Leadership, Change Management, HR Strategy, Workforce Transformation, NB Networks Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

This interview is highly valuable for anyone who wants to do more than merely survive in the corporate world and instead build a truly successful, resilient, and fulfilling career. In his conversation with Edward Bjurstrom, former Vice President of Operations at Gilead Sciences and author of The Success Guide: How to Thrive in the Corporate Environment, Niels Brabandt explores what sustainable success in large organisations really requires. The discussion moves far beyond generic career advice and focuses on the practical realities leaders and professionals face every day: pressure, politics, constant change, technological disruption, and the challenge of remaining effective and credible over long careers Listeners gain rare insights from four decades of senior leadership experience in a highly regulated, high-performance industry. Bjurstrom explains why self-awareness is a decisive leadership competence, how lack of it destroys trust, and why senior executives must actively build systems for honest feedback if they want to avoid living in an echo chamber. He shows how focus and productivity can be regained in an age of permanent distraction, how the psychological state of flow can be cultivated for deep work and strategic problem-solving, and why emotional regulation and asking the right questions are often more powerful than issuing directives. The interview also provides a realistic view on leadership development across cultures and hierarchies, including what it takes to build trust, credibility, and performance in complex international environments. Bjurstrom's reflections on purpose, learning, storytelling, and long-term career growth speak directly to decision makers who want to create impact rather than burn out in constant firefighting. For ambitious professionals, senior managers, and executives who want to understand how to thrive, not just cope, in demanding corporate systems, this conversation offers structured thinking, practical tools, and leadership wisdom grounded in real experience rather than theory. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/ 

This podcast interview is a must-listen for anyone who is facing strategic, professional, or personal change and wants to navigate it with clarity, structure, and confidence. In his conversation with author and transformation expert Darryl J. Heffline, Niels Brabandt explores one of the most underestimated leadership challenges: recognising the need for change before disruption forces it upon you. Drawing on Heffline's book Shifting Gears at the Crossroads, the discussion goes far beyond motivational slogans and addresses the hard questions decision makers rarely ask early enough. When do warning signs become impossible to ignore. How do you distinguish comfort from stagnation. Why do capable leaders and professionals so often realise too late that their environment, business model, or role is becoming obsolete. The interview provides a structured, intellectually rigorous framework for understanding transformation. It walks listeners through the key stages of change: recognising the need, assessing the current state, defining a credible future state, building objective decision criteria, and managing the psychological barriers that prevent people from acting even when the evidence is clear. Real-world examples illustrate how technological disruption, automation, and shifting markets can render long-established roles and business models vulnerable, and why denial is often more dangerous than the change itself What makes this conversation particularly valuable for executives, entrepreneurs, and senior leaders is its realism. It openly addresses fears around loss of status, income, identity, and relevance. It explains why stepping back can be a strategic investment rather than a failure, how rebuilding and reemerging are natural phases of successful transformation, and how long-term leadership success depends on the ability to reposition before external forces make the decision for you. Listeners gain not only conceptual clarity, but also practical orientation: how to develop situational awareness, how to create robust criteria for major career and business decisions, how to reframe uncertainty, and how to turn disruption into a platform for renewed growth and strategic advantage. For anyone at a professional or organisational crossroads, this episode offers rare depth, intellectual honesty, and actionable insight. It is not about change as a buzzword. It is about change as a leadership responsibility. Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com Contact with 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/