Beyond Leadership - Adopting a Coaching Mindset

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Volquards Ekstrøm - a seasoned managing director with a finance background and a career built inside owner-managed companies across Scandinavia and Europe. Peter recently made a bold life decision: leaving behind a long-established network in Aarhus to relocate to Malmö and take on a role in Germany, all in pursuit of something more meaningful - both personally and professionally.What struck me most in our conversation was how clearly Peter understands his own motivations. We dig into what it really takes to make a courageous career move - not just the logistics, but the mindset behind it. Peter draws a sharp distinction I think every leader should sit with: working hard for something you don't care about is stress; working hard for something you care about is passion.We also explore decision-making in lean organizations, the value of clear accountability structures, navigating cross-cultural leadership, and why "just try it" might be the most underrated coaching reframe there is.If you're a leader weighing a big transition - in role, geography, or identity - this conversation will give you both a framework and permission to move forward. -Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpodExplore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.comWant to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.comLearn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJCGet in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/Email: [email protected]

-Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpodExplore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.comWant to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.comLearn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJCGet in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/Email: [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Martin Clausen, co-CEO of legal tech startup HyperContracts and former general counsel at Maersk and MHI Vestas, to explore one of the most uncomfortable moments in leadership: letting someone go.Martin shares a candid story from early in his career when he had to dismiss a seasoned colleague who refused to accept his leadership. We dig into what he wished he had done differently, how empathy can delay hard decisions, and why the rest of the team's reaction almost always tells you something important.But what I found most interesting was the coaching angle. We explore the tension between direct communication and asking questions, when each approach works best, and how to challenge someone clearly without shutting down reflection. Martin also shares how his style shifted after working across very different cultures at Maersk, Vestas, and alongside Japanese colleagues at Mitsubishi.If you're a leader navigating a difficult employee situation or trying to figure out when to coach and when to act, this conversation offers some honest, hard-won perspective. I hope you find it as useful as I did.-Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpodExplore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.comWant to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.comLearn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJCGet in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/Email: [email protected]

My guest today is Jens Birk - attorney, MBA, and former director at a large Danish IT company - and this conversation got real fast.Jens walks us through the moment he stepped into a role overseeing 100 employees and seven business lines, and made a deliberate choice to let go of control. Not because it felt comfortable, but because he recognized that holding on would make him the bottleneck - and quietly stunt the growth of everyone around him.We talk about what it actually looks like to delegate meaningfully, how to know when to stay quiet and let someone find their own answer, and when to step in before things go sideways. Jens also shares a story from a leadership exercise in a Swedish forest that stuck with him for decades - a cold, exhausting night that taught him more about trust than any classroom ever could.If you lead people, you'll recognize yourself somewhere in this conversation. The tension between doing it yourself and developing others is real - and there's no clean formula for getting it right.What there is, though, is experience. And Jens has plenty of it worth hearing. -Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpodExplore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.comWant to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.comLearn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJCGet in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/Email: [email protected]

Join me and Alexander as we dive deep into the art of testing chaos in a company. Alexander, the CEO of a global manufacturing company, shares insights from a recent crisis that tested his team's resilience.In our conversation, you'll discover how he navigated uncertainty, empowered his managers to make critical decisions, and identified opportunities to strengthen communication and trust across the organization. Together, we explore the delicate balance between urgency and importance, and what it takes to build a culture where people feel confident taking initiative and ownership.We also discuss practical strategies for delegating with confidence, providing constructive feedback, and developing a designated "survivor" to ensure business continuity when unexpected challenges arise. Alexander reflects on the importance of maintaining work-life balance and making time for personal priorities, even when professional demands seem overwhelming.Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on building an agile, high-performing team that can weather any storm. Tune in for insights that can transform your leadership approach and help you empower your people to thrive.-Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpodExplore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.comWant to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.comLearn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJCGet in touch:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/Email: [email protected]