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 from...
Jun 27, 2025•45 min•Ep. 47
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 fee...
May 23, 2025•40 min•Ep. 46
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. W...
Apr 25, 2025•34 min•Ep. 45
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 potential The lack of clarity and transparency about what’s truly needed for the next-level role—beyond the job description How the Performance-Potential Matrix can h...
Mar 28, 2025•32 min•Ep. 44
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 solvi...
Feb 28, 2025•34 min•Ep. 43
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 interactions. Ilkka...
Jan 24, 2025•47 min•Ep. 42
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 ofte...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 41
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 LESSONS ...
Nov 22, 2024•53 min•Ep. 40
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 in...
Oct 25, 2024•40 min•Ep. 39
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 an...
Sep 26, 2024•40 min•Ep. 38
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-Maki...
Aug 22, 2024•39 min•Ep. 37
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: 2:55 -...
Jul 25, 2024•40 min•Ep. 36
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 appr...
Jun 27, 2024•41 min•Ep. 35
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 race Involve everyone Tailor your communication to each audience While 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...
May 23, 2024•40 min•Ep. 34
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 impact as a lead...
Apr 25, 2024•49 min•Ep. 33
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 organisat...
Mar 21, 2024•50 min•Ep. 32
In today's episode, we delve into the GAPS Grid , a dynamic tool designed to propel your leadership journey forward. Crafted by David B. Peterson , the GAPS Grid offers a structured approach to self-reflection, fostering clarity and alignment crucial for impactful leadership.* At its core, the GAPS Grid is a straightforward 2-by-2 matrix. You can visualize it by clicking here: https://bit.ly/GAPS-Grid . The ' G ' quadrant represents Goals & Values , prompting introspection into what truly ma...
Feb 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 31
Applying coaching skills as a leader is one of the best ways to develop people and boost employee engagement. And in fact, many leaders have attended "coaching skills for leaders" or "manager as a coach" trainings. Why then, we might ask, is not everyone in every organisation fully engaged, yet. Is coaching not working, after all? We are convinced coaching does work, but there are factors that keep leaders from applying them. What is coaching? Coaching should not be seen as a remedy to fix under...
Jan 25, 2024•41 min•Ep. 30
Leaders often ask us, “How can I motivate my team?” or “How do I enhance employee engagement?”. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer, as motivation is a highly individual and complex subject. But the challenge of motivating people is also what makes life interesting as a leader. Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all like robots, needing three pushes of a button, to be motivated? Nevertheless, there are common motivational “themes”, or guidelines, that every leader can benefit from. Key moment...
Dec 21, 2023•44 min•Ep. 29
Embarking on a more senior executive role in your career can be very rewarding, yet it also poses several challenges. In this episode, we delve into the intricate dynamics of leadership transitions, uncovering strategies to make a profound impact in your new leadership position from the get-go . [3:10] Understanding the nuances of your new role compared to your previous one is pivotal. Letting go of familiar tasks and delegating these can prove challenging, especially if you excelled in those ta...
Nov 23, 2023•31 min•Ep. 28
In this episode, we share insights from a 12-month project where we involved all executives, managers and employees in shaping and implementing a new vision and strategy for growth. The project resulted in re-energizing and motivating 700 people at a large chemical manufacturing plant, fostering not only business expansion but also fortifying a sense of ownership and teamwork across the site. Key takeaways Approach vision and strategy as a process, implementation included Involve people in co-cr...
Oct 26, 2023•46 min•Ep. 27
In this episode we keep exploring the topic of trust in leadership, today from the perspective of openness and transparency. We are joined by Adam Horne, the co-founder of OpenOrg, a company on a mission to rebuild trust by bringing transparency to the world of work. We know that being open and transparent as a leader is key to build trust. An article in Harvard Business Review reports 76% higher employee engagement, and Gallup statistics shows 21% higher profit margin, compared to the average t...
Sep 21, 2023•47 min•Ep. 26
A 360 Degree Feedback may be the most powerful leadership development tool you will ever use — if you use it correctly. Feedback holds the key to successful leadership development. Despite our well-intentioned endeavours, our actions may not always align with our intentions in the eyes of others. The most successful leaders understand how they are perceived by others and adjust their actions and manage perception accordingly. Receiving candid feedback is not always pleasant, but it invariably pr...
Aug 24, 2023•49 min•Ep. 25
Join our conversation with Anu Rathninde, the APAC President of Johnson Controls, and take-away an easy-to-remember guide for how to tackle complexity as a leader. Apply the steps in the “SIILA”-model and directly understand what you need to address, and create positive transformation in your organization. As a leader, you are expected to deliver predictable results and you are held accountable. It might be tempting to base your decision-making on control and assumed certainty. Yet, an organisat...
Jul 27, 2023•40 min•Ep. 24
Tho Ha Vinh (bio below) found that one root cause for suffering is our current economic system based on competition and the fundamental contradiction of endless economic growth and the reality of a finite planet. It is an illusion that happiness and satisfaction come from more consumption. In effect, the ever-increasing consumption is destroying the planet and thus the very foundation of our human lives. The goal of economic growth must be to to satisfy legitimate human needs through goods and s...
Jun 22, 2023•56 min•Ep. 23
We are joined by Jim Massey , Chief Sustainability Officer at Zai Lab, and former global Vice President of ESG at AstraZeneca. Jim shares his experience as a global sustainability leader, and how he is using the Can, Care, Do model to lead transformation in the healthcare industry. Jim is also the author of the newly launched book "Trust in Action" . Listen and gain insights on how you can build trust: the foundation of all positive action and change. And as always, we end with a few reflection ...
May 25, 2023•44 min•Ep. 22
From our experience in executive coaching and leadership development we see again and again that self-awareness is absolutely mission critical for self-development and personal growth. And of course, we can ask the question: Is there a link between a leader's self-awareness and his or her leadership effectiveness? To help us answer this question, we have a great guest on the show, Dr. Nia Thomas . Key moments [05:19] Nia shares what triggered her curiosity about leadership and self-awareness [08...
Apr 27, 2023•46 min•Ep. 21
On the one hand, ‘every leader knows’ that it’s important to make all voices heard in an organisation, diversity and inclusion is critical. On the other hand, it’s still not uncommon to experience meetings where only a minority of participants is talking. And why is it so difficult to truly listen to opposing viewpoints? It has a lot to do with dialogue. In this episode we go deeper into the practice of genuin dialogue, its benefits and challenges. And, as always Gerrit and Martin have very diff...
Mar 23, 2023•39 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, we interview Anthony Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Officer of Indorama Ventures, a 20-billion dollar chemical company with 140 manufacturing sites worldwide and 26,000 employees. Anthony shares his experience of leading sustainable transformation at scale , and as we will see, there are both charms & challenges to the job. Key moments [05:00] How Anthony “wonderfully accidentally” discovered sustainability and started his 20+ year career in the field. [10:00] Charms and cha...
Feb 23, 2023•48 min•Ep. 19
Leaders are expected to get results. In fact, some people will say that’s what leaders get paid for, and they are held accountable when the desired results are not achieved. But, at the same time, leaders can’t really control outcomes, especially during times that seem to become increasingly uncertain. So what can leaders do? Dr. Paul Lawrence is helping us find answers in this episode. Paul is a leadership consultant, coach, researcher, and author of many books and articles on leadership and co...
Jan 26, 2023•53 min•Ep. 18
