DiscoverThe Leadership Podcast by Niels Brabandt / NB Networks#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt
#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt

#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt

Update: 2025-11-05
Share

Description

In this episode of The Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt, Founder and Owner of NB Networks (London | Zurich), explores one of the most pressing challenges for today's leaders:
When does a strong opinion become a leadership asset – and when does it turn into a liability?

In a world dominated by loud voices and instant expertise, leaders face a crucial task: separating conviction backed by evidence from confidence fuelled by ego.
This episode provides a clear framework for evaluating opinions and decision-making processes in complex organisations.

You will learn:

  • Why freedom of speech does not mean freedom to dominate the conversation,

  • How to identify and avoid the trap of false balance in discussions and decision-making,

  • How to apply the Four Es FrameworkEvidence, Education, Experience, Eloquence – to assess the credibility of strong voices,

  • Why eloquence without substance can be more dangerous than silence,

  • And how to build an organisational culture that values informed conviction over empty confidence.

This episode challenges decision-makers to think critically about the voices they amplify – and the opinions they ignore.
Because in leadership, not every strong opinion deserves a strong platform.

Niels Brabandt is an international expert on Sustainable Leadership, Organisational Development, and Business Ethics.
He is the Founder and Owner of NB Networks (London | Zurich) and works globally as a speaker, trainer, consultant, coach, and mentor.
His weekly formats – The Leadership Letter, The Leadership Podcast, and The Leadership Videocast – reach a worldwide audience of senior executives and 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/ 

Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt

#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt

Niels Brabandt