Claim OwnershipSecond Crack — The Leadership Podcast
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© 2025 Second Crack — The Leadership Podcast
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Leadership Consultant Martin Aldergard and Executive Coach Gerrit Pelzer explore everyday leadership dilemmas and paradoxes. Get ready for thought-provoking questions which invite self-reflection and help you grow as a leader. More info: https://secondcrackleadership.com
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In this episode we explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, compassion and wisdom when the pressure is on. Our guest, Martin Farrell, author of Good Leaders in Turbulent Times, shares insights from six decades working for and with civil society organizations including the Red Cross and Save the Children. Through the metaphor of coffee roasting—the “second crack” that releases a bean’s full flavor—Martin reminds us that it’s often the heat of turbulence that helps leaders grow...
So often leaders tell people what to do, expecting change to follow. But real, lasting change happens when people understand, process, and make sense of change for themselves. In this episode, we dive into the "Power of learning” as a key to leading change and transformation. We share a practical, five-step approach that every leader can use to involve people, spark motivation, and create ownership of change. It’s about moving from telling to engaging, from compliance to commitment — an...
As a senior leader, you've achieved significant success. But how do you keep evolving into the best leader you can be—and is executive coaching the right lever? In this special 49th episode of Second Crack, co-hosts Gerrit Pelzer and Martin Aldergård take a candid look at the purpose and value of executive coaching. Marking his 15th anniversary in the field, Gerrit shares his core philosophy: coaching is about helping leaders create the conditions in which people—including the leaders themsel...
An international assignment often promises adventure and accelerated career growth. And while an expatriate experience can be life-enriching and fulfilling, it also comes with challenges and unexpected surprises few people talk about. In this episode of Second Crack – The Leadership Podcast, hosts Gerrit Pelzer and Martin Aldergård draw on their decades of experience leading, coaching, and consulting abroad. Each having lived and worked in Asia for over 20 years, they offer candid insights in...
What can the high-stakes world of professional sports teach us about leadership in the corporate world? In this episode, we are joined by Michael Andrei, former German National Volleyball Player and Team Captain of the SWD Powervolleys Düren. Michael now serves as the team's Athletic Coach and works with individuals and organizations as a Personal Trainer and Motivational Coach. Together, we explore the striking parallels between leading on the court and leading in the boardroom. Drawing fro...
We explore an unexpected but powerful source of leadership insight: the art of clowning. Together with our guest, Janolof Elander, we dive into how the presence, vulnerability, and connection practiced by clowns can help us become more human-centered and authentic leaders. We invite you to step back and explore how being fully present — even in chaos or uncertainty — opens the door to trust, connection, and transformation. 🌟 The Main Principle of Clowning “Don’t try to be funny.” This might f...
Even the most seasoned leaders face moments when their work feels overwhelmingly difficult—when self-doubt creeps in, motivation fades, and the usual strategies to "push through" no longer seem to work. In this episode of Second Crack – The Leadership Podcast, we explore what to do when leading starts to feel truly hard. Join us as we reflect on the emotional, mental, and physical toll that leadership challenges can take—especially in today's volatile and high-pressure corporate environments....
Promoting the right people is one of the most critical decisions a leader can make—but all too often, internal promotions don’t work out as expected. In this episode, we explore the most common mistakes in internal promotions—and, most importantly, how to avoid them. We discuss: The mistake of confusing past performance with future potentialThe lack of clarity and transparency about what’s truly needed for the next-level role—beyond the job descriptionHow the Performance-Potential Matrix can ...
How we think as leaders profoundly shapes our ability to navigate complexity, make sense of challenges, and involve others. In this episode, we explore the "Thinking" dimension of the Inner Development Goals (IDG) and why developing our thinking skills is crucial for long-term success. We share insights on how leaders can expand their perspectives, avoid oversimplifications, and strengthen their ability to make sense of complex challenges. 1. Complexity Awareness Leaders are often great at so...
We continue to explore how to make corporate transformation more successful by more intentional and meaningful involvement of employees. In this episode, we’re joined by Ilkka Mäkitalo, founder of Howspace, to explore how leaders can create better involvement that taps into collective intelligence, leverages technology, and fosters deeper engagement. Key Themes 1. Engage Thoughtfully and Intentionally Involvement isn’t just about participation; it’s about designing thoughtful int...
In today’s episode, we present a free audio version of Gerrit Pelzer's chapter Soft Skills Through the Lens of Hard Science: Insights into Why Leaders Need to Know About the Brain from the book Brains Inspiring Businesses.* In this chapter, Gerrit highlights three essential insights every leader should know about the brain: Each brain is unique—this influences motivation and the conditions under which people can be their best. Emotions drive all our actions, including at work—yet they’re of...
In this episode we explore a timely and vital question: What can women bring to leadership that men can't? Joining us are two accomplished women leaders from traditionally male-dominated industries: Dr. Melanie Maas-Brunner, a former BASF board member, and Evelyn Chau, a director in the global banking industry. Together we dive into the unique contributions women bring to leadership, the challenges, and what we can all learn from a more diverse approach to leadership. KEY MESSAGES AND LESSON...
We explore how to achieve success in corporate transformation. The discussion starts with the fact that many organisations still seem to rely on traditional top-down approaches, despite evidence that this method leads to disengagement, resistance to change, and change fatigue. We conclude that there is a need for organisations to rethink their approach to transformation by putting people at the heart of the process. This means inviting people to co-create at scale, tapping into the collective...
Gerrit Pelzer and Martin Aldergård delve into an unexpected but insightful theme: what leaders can learn from horses. Joined by guest Ed Renshaw, an executive coach with expertise in equine-assisted leadership development, they explore the parallels between interacting with horses and leading people, providing a unique perspective on leadership dynamics. Highlights: Purposeful Leadership: Horses, like people, respond to clear, authentic leadership. Ed explains how horses mirror human energy...
In this episode, we explore the power and importance of intuition in leadership with Intuition Coach Dr. Charlotte Tamason. Intuition is often an underestimated aspect of leadership, yet it plays a crucial role in decision-making, fostering innovation, and navigating complex situations. Episode Highlights Understanding Intuition: Charlotte demystifies what intuition really means for leaders, explaining how it goes beyond gut feelings to become a reliable inner guide.Intuition and Decision-Ma...
In a corporate environment, leaders are expected to be achievement-oriented and drive results. However, the relentless pursuit of goals can lead to exhaustion and burnout. Often, both leaders and employees miss out on enjoying the process while working towards the organization’s future vision. In this episode, Martin Aldergård and Gerrit Pelzer explore how leaders can find a balance between feeling content in the present moment while maintaining a drive for future aspirations. Key Points: ...
Join us in a conversation with Enrico Cañal Bruland, GM&VP of a multinational pharmaceutical company, where we discuss how to develop resilience in leadership. Reflecting on professional and private challenges, Enrico shares 3 factors that have helped him become a calmer, more balanced, and better version of himself. And as a result, becoming a more resilient leader, supporting his team and fostering a positive, forward-looking mindset, during difficult times. Curiosity - the ability to a...
In this episode, we talk with Noah Shepherd about leading change in a foreign country. We tap into his 30+ years of experience as a leader and executive in Asia. Our conversation covers three key success factors for leading change: It's not a raceInvolve everyoneTailor your communication to each audienceWhile this certainly can be seen as common knowledge, there is a lot to learn from Noah's deep experience and the stories he is sharing. He provides practical examples and insights, leading to...
In this episode we delve into the vital leadership skill of assertiveness. With guest Rachel Goodwin, a UK-based leadership coach with a specialisation in assertiveness and supporting women in the workplace, we explore how leaders can balance assertiveness to avoid being too soft, or overly aggressive. We discuss behavioural patterns including passive, aggressive, and passive-aggressive styles, and the role of skilful assertive communication in achieving win-win situations and im...
In this episode, we explore how to navigate organisational boundaries. As enterprises expand, silos and barriers often emerge, hindering collaboration across units, functions, and regions. However, adept leaders understand that success comes from bridging such boundaries, both within and outside the organisation. Join us as we delve into this vital leadership topic with our valued guest, Dr. Jürgen Scherer, a seasoned leader renowned for his expertise in navigating boundaries in global organi...
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