The Leadership Podcast by Niels Brabandt / NB Networks
Business & Economics Podcasts
Niels Brabandt, the owner and founder of NB Networks, is your host. Sustainable Leadership. We are helping managers to become better leaders. This show dedicates time to help, to improve and to assist you in achieving your goals. You may already be a leader and aim to become better, or you want to be in a leadership position in the future and avoid mistakes on the way of getting there. Your host, Niels Brabandt, is in business since 1998. He worked for a large corporation as well as a global franchise company before he became full-time self-employed. This podcast is your free access to his knowledge, his experience and his network of experts. What can you expect? You will get scientifically proven expertise. Your host will make unambiguously clear when he is talking about opinion rather than facts. He will address your challenges as a leader or someone who wants to be one and how to overcome them. The challenges you face as a leader in today's business world come from many different aspects of an organisation. Finding the right way to communicate and managing conflicts are just the beginning. Excellent presentations skills are a must today besides dealing with change inside and outside the teams which you have to lead — keeping motivation high means that you must be able to have skills of influence without being manipulative. Negotiate and set goals, be creative and innovative, make the right decisions and position yourself in a business work which heavily relies on networking. You must deliver all this at the best quality with efficient and effective processes during projects which must be on time, on track, on target but under budget. Moreover, of course, you must recruit, develop and retain the best talents of your industry. Your employer's brand and business storytelling become a significant part of your work today. At the same time, hard skills as forecasting, planning, conceptualisation are part of you as a leader mastering Strategy. Of course, selling the products has to work as well in challenging and competitive environments. Niels Brabandt, owner and founder of NB Networks, your host, will help to become a (better) leader.
Location:
United Kingdom
Description:
Niels Brabandt, the owner and founder of NB Networks, is your host. Sustainable Leadership. We are helping managers to become better leaders. This show dedicates time to help, to improve and to assist you in achieving your goals. You may already be a leader and aim to become better, or you want to be in a leadership position in the future and avoid mistakes on the way of getting there. Your host, Niels Brabandt, is in business since 1998. He worked for a large corporation as well as a global franchise company before he became full-time self-employed. This podcast is your free access to his knowledge, his experience and his network of experts. What can you expect? You will get scientifically proven expertise. Your host will make unambiguously clear when he is talking about opinion rather than facts. He will address your challenges as a leader or someone who wants to be one and how to overcome them. The challenges you face as a leader in today's business world come from many different aspects of an organisation. Finding the right way to communicate and managing conflicts are just the beginning. Excellent presentations skills are a must today besides dealing with change inside and outside the teams which you have to lead — keeping motivation high means that you must be able to have skills of influence without being manipulative. Negotiate and set goals, be creative and innovative, make the right decisions and position yourself in a business work which heavily relies on networking. You must deliver all this at the best quality with efficient and effective processes during projects which must be on time, on track, on target but under budget. Moreover, of course, you must recruit, develop and retain the best talents of your industry. Your employer's brand and business storytelling become a significant part of your work today. At the same time, hard skills as forecasting, planning, conceptualisation are part of you as a leader mastering Strategy. Of course, selling the products has to work as well in challenging and competitive environments. Niels Brabandt, owner and founder of NB Networks, your host, will help to become a (better) leader.
Twitter:
@NielsBrabandt
Language:
English
Contact:
+44 20 32871900
Website:
http://www.nb-networks.com/
Email:
NB@NB-Networks.com
Episodes
#451 Ghosting in Business: Why Leaders Must Stop Disappearing | Insights from Niels Brabandt
11/18/2025
Ghosting has become one of the most underestimated risks in today's professional world. Whether it appears in leadership communication, recruiting processes, internal collaboration, or high-stakes sales negotiations, disappearing without explanation damages credibility, weakens employer branding, and undermines organisational culture.
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, international leadership expert and Founder of NB Networks (London & Zurich), analyses why ghosting is rising inside organisations and why business decision makers can no longer afford to ignore its impact. Drawing from real-world leadership practice, he outlines a clear, actionable framework for preventing ghosting, strengthening communication standards, and maintaining professional legitimacy, even in high-pressure environments.
You will learn:
Why ghosting harms your leadership reputation and employer brand
How ghosting disrupts sales, recruiting, and cross-departmental collaboration
How leaders should respond when they are being ghosted
Why professional time management and communication discipline are essential leadership skills
How to build organisational structures that prevent silence and reinforce accountability
This episode provides practical, high-level guidance for executives who want to lead with clarity, strengthen internal culture, and ensure their organisation communicates with the professionalism modern business demands.
For more leadership insights from Niels Brabandt, visit www.NB-Networks.biz or connect via LinkedIn.
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/
Duration:00:11:32
#450 Why Hybrid Work Depends on Great Leadership — Insights from MIT Sloan and Niels Brabandt
11/11/2025
In this episode of The Leadership Podcast, Niels Brabandt explores the decisive factor that determines whether hybrid work succeeds or fails: leadership quality.
Drawing on new evidence from the MIT Sloan Management Review, Brabandt examines why hybrid work itself is not the real challenge — ineffective leadership is. He unpacks how executives fall into filter bubbles and echo chambers, how opinion replaces evidence in boardrooms, and why leaders who manage by presence rather than by performance undermine both trust and results.
Listeners will gain practical, research-based insights on:
How to design hybrid models that strengthen engagement and accountability.
Why evidence-based leadership outperforms intuition and hierarchy.
The role of culture, credibility, and competence in modern workplaces.
How leaders can build organisations that thrive on flexibility and trust.
Citing work by MIT Sloan and Professor Tsedal Neeley (Harvard Business School), Niels Brabandt connects academic research with real-world leadership practice — offering a clear roadmap for decision-makers navigating the future of work.
For more on sustainable, evidence-based leadership, visit www.NB-Networks.biz and connect with Niels Brabandt on LinkedIn.
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/
Duration:00:21:39
#449 Are Strong Opinions Dangerous? – How Effective Leaders Separate Confidence from Competence - with Niels Brabandt
11/4/2025
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 Framework – Evidence, 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/
Duration:00:21:23
#448 Do You Have a Right to Get Answers? – Leadership, Communication, and Accountability | Niels Brabandt
10/29/2025
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, Founder and Owner of NB Networks, explores one of the most overlooked questions in modern leadership:
Do people have a right to get an answer?
In a world of constant messages, endless meetings, and overflowing inboxes, silence has become a management habit—and a dangerous one. Leaders often justify non-responsiveness as efficiency, while employees interpret it as neglect. Both are wrong.
Niels Brabandt examines why communication is not a courtesy but a core leadership responsibility. Drawing on his expertise in Sustainable Leadership, he explains:
Why unanswered questions damage trust and performance.
How to distinguish between complicated and complex issues when responding.
The importance of situative leadership and clear communication rules.
Why self-reflection is essential for leaders and employees alike.
How organisations can create accountability without overregulation.
The episode delivers a clear message:
There may be no legal right to an answer, but there is a moral and organisational duty to communicate. Leadership without communication is not leadership—it's silence with a title.
A must-listen for executives, decision-makers, and leadership professionals aiming to build credibility, trust, and sustainable performance within their organisations.
Keywords:
Niels Brabandt, Leadership, Communication, Sustainable Leadership, Organisational Behaviour, Management, Leadership Development, Business Ethics, Situative Leadership, Professional Communication, Leadership Podcast, NB Networks, Corporate Culture, Accountability, Trust in Leadership
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/
Duration:00:14:49
#447 Leading Change with SAP – Transforming Business, Technology, and People | Niels Brabandt & Christopher Carter
10/29/2025
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, Founder and Owner of NB Networks, speaks with Christopher Carter, globally recognised SAP expert and CEO of Approyo, about how true digital transformation succeeds only when leadership understands both technology and human behaviour.
SAP is often seen as complex, costly, and intimidating. Yet, as Christopher Carter explains, it can become one of the most powerful tools for creating transparency, compliance, and operational excellence—if implemented with the right mindset.
Together, Brabandt and Carter explore the real challenges of SAP migration:
Why delaying transformation can destroy compliance and trust.
How to build a roadmap that saves money through integration and scalability.
Why most SAP projects fail not for technical reasons, but for human ones.
The essential role of change management and leadership accountability.
How AI innovations like SAP Joule are reshaping the future of enterprise performance.
This conversation offers candid insights from two leading voices in business transformation—showing that success with SAP is not about installing software, but about leading change with clarity, courage, and communication.
A must-listen for executives, decision-makers, and leaders responsible for digital, cultural, and organisational change.
Keywords:
Niels Brabandt, Christopher Carter, SAP, SAP Joule, SAP Migration, Digital Transformation, Change Management, Leadership, Sustainable Leadership, Business Transformation, AI in SAP, Approyo, NB Networks, Enterprise Technology, Compliance, Leadership Podcast
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/
Duration:00:22:38
#444 Leading Beyond Labels – Rethinking Leadership, Identity, and Organisational Culture | Niels Brabandt with Merry Carole Powers
10/14/2025
Modern leadership is drowning in labels — titles, job descriptions, and identity categories that once helped structure organisations but now often divide them.
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, Founder and Owner of NB Networks (Zurich | London), speaks with Merry Carole Powers, leadership strategist and author of The Great Human Rebrand, about what it means to lead beyond labels. Together, they explore how leaders can move from categorisation to connection, from representation to recognition, and from management by title to leadership by substance.
Key insights include:
Why DEI labels matter — and how to evolve beyond “tick-the-box diversity.”
How inflated job titles and status symbols erode authentic leadership.
Why departmental labels (HR, Sales, Marketing) create silos — and how to bridge them.
How to reframe progress: from climbing ladders to cultivating growth.
Why authenticity and individuality are the true competitive advantages in leadership.
Drawing on real-world corporate experience and global case studies, Brabandt and Powers deliver a candid discussion on how to dismantle the structural and psychological barriers that prevent inclusive, human-centred leadership.
This episode is for executives, HR directors, and decision-makers seeking practical strategies to build organisations where culture, collaboration, and leadership thrive.
Learn more: www.NB-Networks.biz
Follow Niels Brabandt on LinkedIn | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube for more insights on leadership, recruiting, and sustainable organisational success.
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/
Duration:00:14:45
#443 The Truth About Annual Appraisal Interviews: How Great Leaders Turn Routine Reviews into Real Results - with Niels Brabandt
10/7/2025
Annual appraisal interviews are one of the most misunderstood leadership tools in modern business. For some employees, they are a source of motivation and recognition. For others, they are nothing but an annual formality — arbitrary, subjective, and often frustrating.
In this episode of The Leadership Podcast with Niels Brabandt, you will learn what separates meaningful appraisal interviews from ineffective bureaucratic rituals. Leadership expert Niels Brabandt explains why the traditional once-a-year review often fails, how the burden of proof always lies with the leader, and how a well-structured, evidence-based, and dialogue-driven approach can transform your organisation’s culture.
Key takeaways include:
Why annual reviews are outdated — and what works better
How to move from monologue to genuine dialogue
The role of preparation, feedback, and GDPR compliance in modern leadership
How to lead with transparency, reasoning, and fairness
Why training and coaching are essential for credible leadership
This episode is a must-listen for business decision makers, executives, and HR professionals who want to improve their leadership effectiveness and organisational results.
About the Host:
Niels Brabandt is the Owner and Founder of NB Networks, operating from London and Zurich. He is a global leadership expert, speaker, consultant, and coach. His work focuses on Sustainable Leadership, organisational culture, and performance excellence.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact with Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/details/education/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:16:45
#442 Handling Leadership Mistakes: Why Accountability Defines Sustainable Leadership | Niels Brabandt
9/30/2025
Leadership is not about avoiding mistakes—it is about how leaders respond when they happen. In this episode, Niels Brabandt, founder of NB Networks and internationally recognised expert on Sustainable Leadership, explains why the way business leaders handle errors determines trust, reputation, and long-term success.
Drawing on real-world cases and decades of leadership practice, Niels Brabandt discusses:
Why pseudo-apologies damage credibility and weaken organisations.
The key elements of a genuine apology and how it strengthens leadership.
How professional preparation, training, and coaching help prevent leadership mistakes.
Why accountability and adaptability are essential for attracting and retaining talent.
This podcast is designed for business decision-makers, executives, and leaders who want to set a higher standard of responsibility in their organisations.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact 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/
Duration:00:16:09
#441 (Un)Conscious Bias in Recruiting and Leadership – Why Blind Spots Undermine Business Success | Niels Brabandt
9/23/2025
Unconscious bias remains one of the most underestimated risks in recruiting and leadership. From names, photos, and accents to education, hobbies, or postcodes—decisions are often shaped by hidden assumptions rather than objective criteria. The result? Costly mis-hires, damaged employer brands, and leadership teams that replicate their own blind spots instead of building true diversity and strength.
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, Founder of NB Networks and international leadership expert, analyses how unconscious bias infiltrates decision-making, why it weakens business performance, and what leaders must do to overcome it. Drawing on real cases, research insights, and decades of executive training experience, he explains why awareness and professional training are critical for sustainable leadership.
This episode offers concrete, strategic insights for executives, HR leaders, and decision makers who want to attract the right talent, strengthen their organisations, and avoid the reputational damage of biased practices.
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/
Duration:00:25:15
#440 How Leaders Motivate or Demotivate their HR and Recruiting Teams | Leadership Insights with Niels
9/16/2025
How do leaders inspire their HR and recruiting professionals—or drive them into frustration and disengagement? In this episode, Niels Brabandt, Founder of NB Networks and internationally recognised leadership expert, explores the decisive role leadership plays in motivating (or demotivating) the very teams that shape an organisation’s future workforce.
Drawing on real-world examples from Europe’s largest HR and recruiting fair, Brabandt reveals why HR and recruiting are not back-office functions but the sales engine of the “employer brand.” He analyses why flawed KPIs, excessive operational burdens, and poor executive communication undermine motivation, and he outlines the leadership behaviours that build trust, foster engagement, and turn HR into a strategic driver of organisational success.
For decision makers who want to win the global talent race, this episode delivers clear and actionable leadership insights. Niels Brabandt shows why leadership behaviour is the number one factor behind retention, performance, and long-term business success.
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/
Duration:00:20:42
#439 AI, Bias and Leadership: How Business Decision Makers Can Use Artificial Intelligence Responsibly | Niels Brabandt
9/9/2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping recruitment, leadership, and business strategy — but are organisations prepared for the risks as well as the opportunities? In this episode, leadership expert Niels Brabandt explores how AI can deliver efficiency and speed while simultaneously creating bias, legal challenges, and reputational risks if implemented without care.
Drawing on current case studies, regulatory developments, and leadership best practices, this episode provides executives and decision makers with a clear framework for integrating AI responsibly into recruitment and leadership processes.
Key insights include:
Why “something with AI” is not a strategy but a liability.
How bias in data accelerates discrimination risks and lawsuits.
Where AI genuinely creates measurable value in recruitment and HR.
Why human–AI collaboration outperforms full automation.
The critical role of leadership, compliance, and employer branding in AI adoption.
For business leaders, the message is clear: AI will not replace executives — but leaders who fail to adapt and use AI responsibly risk being replaced.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:18:16
#438 Leadership Between Productivity and Self-Fulfilment: Niels Brabandt in Conversation with Saahil Mehta
9/9/2025
How can leaders achieve peak productivity without sacrificing fulfilment and well-being? In this in-depth interview, leadership expert Niels Brabandt speaks with entrepreneur, mountaineer, and leadership coach Saahil Mehta about redefining success, building resilience, and leading with clarity.
Drawing on his Seven Summits framework — inspired by mountaineering and applied to business leadership — Saahil Mehta outlines how executives can prioritise effectively, avoid the trap of short-term sacrifices, and adopt what he calls the “mountain mindset.”
Key insights from this conversation include:
How to balance business productivity with personal fulfilment.
Why defining your personal “Seven Summits” creates better decision-making clarity.
The importance of distinguishing between “crystal balls” and “rubber balls” in leadership priorities.
How empowerment, delegation, and preparation drive stronger results.
Why resilience and self-care are critical for long-term leadership success.
For executives, entrepreneurs, and business decision makers, this episode provides actionable strategies to lead effectively in both professional and personal spheres.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:17:12
#437 Why Stories Matter in Leadership: Niels Brabandt in Conversation with Sierra Melcher
9/9/2025
In this exclusive interview, leadership expert Niels Brabandt speaks with publishing specialist and author Sierra Melcher about the critical role of storytelling in business leadership and organisational success.
While executives often rely on data and performance metrics, it is stories that create trust, credibility, and sustainable influence. Sierra Melcher explains why every leader has a story worth telling, how publishing a book can transform visibility and authority, and what pitfalls to avoid — from vanity publishing to the misuse of AI-generated content.
Key insights from this conversation include:
Why storytelling is a strategic leadership tool for decision makers.
How publishing strengthens credibility in ways short-form content cannot.
The advantages and drawbacks of self-publishing versus traditional publishing.
Why authenticity matters more than ever in the age of AI and ghostwriting.
How the process of writing transforms leaders themselves.
For executives and business leaders, this episode offers actionable perspectives on communication, influence, and leadership credibility.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:13:40
#436 Leadership in Times of Crisis: Restructuring, Redundancies, and Responsibility - by Niels Brabandt
9/2/2025
In this episode, Niels Brabandt, founder of NB Networks and international expert on sustainable leadership, addresses one of the most difficult challenges leaders face: guiding organisations through crises, restructuring, and redundancies.
Drawing on real-world cases, Niels Brabandt explains why vague justifications, such as “the market” or “the economy,” undermine trust, and why leaders must take accountability for difficult decisions. He highlights the triple preparation every organisation needs: transparent processes, robust support systems, and trained leaders, while showing how poor communication or lack of empathy can cause irreparable damage to brands, careers, and lives.
This episode offers executives and decision-makers a practical framework for handling layoffs responsibly, protecting organisational trust, and demonstrating authentic leadership under pressure.
A podcast hosted by Niels Brabandt, delivering actionable insights for leaders who want to combine clarity, empathy, and accountability, even in times of crisis.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact with Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:28:15
#435 Coaching in Business and the Future of Leadership - Niels Brabandt Interviews Greg Smith
9/2/2025
In this insightful conversation, Niels Brabandt, founder of NB Networks and international leadership expert, speaks with Greg Smith, General Manager of FranklinCovey Executive Coaching, about the role of coaching in modern business. Together, they explore why coaching is not a perk but a strategic necessity for organisations aiming to build resilient and adaptable leaders.
Greg Smith shares research-backed insights on why executive coaching delivers the highest ROI of all leadership development tools, how to identify qualified coaches in a crowded marketplace, and why timing is critical when supporting leaders in transition. With real-world examples, Niels Brabandt and Greg Smith discuss the risks of neglecting coaching, the dangers of unqualified providers, and the future of leadership development in an era shaped by volatility, AI, and global change.
This episode is essential listening for executives, HR leaders, and decision-makers who want to understand how coaching can transform leadership performance, strengthen organisational culture, and secure long-term business success.
A podcast hosted by Niels Brabandt, delivering thought leadership for leaders who want sustainable results.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact with Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:19:34
#434 The Six and a Half Habits of Highly Defective Bosses - Niels Brabandt Interviews Joel Hilchey
9/2/2025
In this exclusive interview, Niels Brabandt, founder of NB Networks and international leadership expert, speaks with Joel Hilchey, keynote speaker, entertainer, and author of The Six and a Half Habits of Highly Defective Bosses. Together, they explore what makes bosses fail, why leadership behaviour determines whether employees stay or leave, and how organisations can avoid the pitfalls of “defective leadership.”
Joel Hilchey shares real-world insights from his career and new book, explaining the habits that undermine leadership—from “function forgetting” to “mediocrity mongering” and “bully bossing.” He and Niels Brabandt discuss why fun is an underrated leadership resource, how micromanagement erodes trust, and what leaders must do to build cultures that inspire rather than demoralise.
This conversation is essential for executives, managers, and decision-makers who want to understand the difference between destructive leadership and sustainable, intentional leadership.
A podcast hosted by Niels Brabandt, delivering high-level perspectives for leaders who want to make better decisions, create stronger cultures, and achieve long-term success.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:27:27
#433 AI in the C-Suite: Why Critical Thinking Is Non-Negotiable - by Niels Brabandt
8/26/2025
Artificial intelligence can speed decisions — and, if unchecked, speed mistakes. In this episode, leadership expert Niels Brabandt shows how to harness AI without sacrificing judgement, governance or trust. From “plausible but wrong” outputs (like optimistic walk times or misread PDFs) to high-risk failures (fabricated case law, myth-based policies), Niels explains why critical thinking belongs at the heart of every AI workflow.
What you will learn
A simple loop to de-risk AI: Analysis → Evaluation → Judgement
When to insist on primary sources (and how to verify “too perfect” citations)
The quality gates every team needs: fact-check, bias screen, hallucination red flags
Data hygiene & access control: stop internal AIs exposing sensitive information
A practical 30/60/90-day plan to embed policy, red-teaming and measurable KPIs
How boards can balance speed with accountability — and avoid the “cheap & fast” trap
Who it is for
CEOs, founders, board members and senior leaders who want AI-driven speed and decision-grade reliability.
About the host
Niels Brabandt is a leadership expert and host of the Leadership Podcast, advising organisations on evidence-based, situational leadership and AI governance.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact to Niels Brabandt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Niels Brabandt's Leadership Letter: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:22:13
#432 Entitlement in the World of New Work: Why Leaders Must Act on Evidence - by Niels Brabandt
8/19/2025
Entitlement is no longer just a “young talent” issue. It is a leadership challenge affecting organisations at every level. In this episode, leadership expert Niels Brabandt explains why entitlement thinking thrives when decisions are based on nostalgia or hierarchy rather than evidence.
Discover:
How organisational entitlement is damaging recruitment and retention
Why hybrid and remote work require evidence, not slogans
The five leadership principles Niels Brabandt uses to transform entitlement into commitment
A simple decision framework to test if office mandates make business sense
Leaders in SMEs and global corporations alike will learn how to move beyond arbitrary rules and create an architecture of fairness, transparency, and competitive advantage.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact: Niels Brabandt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Leadership Letter by Niels Brabandt: http://expert.nb-networks.com/
Niels Brabandt's Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:23:31
#431 Merging IT and HR: Insights, Strategies, and Real-World Cases – Niels Brabandt on Leadership in the Age of AI
8/12/2025
In this episode, Niels Brabandt explores why leading organisations are merging IT and HR – and how this bold move can boost decision-making, efficiency, and strategic impact. Drawing on real-world cases from Moderna, Covisian, and Bunq, you’ll learn the drivers behind this trend, the benefits it can deliver, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Discover how Artificial Intelligence is accelerating the integration of people and technology functions, what the Best Fit Model looks like in practice, and why successful transformations protect jobs while empowering teams. Packed with practical advice for leaders, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating digital transformation, organisational change, or future-focused leadership.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/
Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:18:17
#430 Do We Really Need Regulation? Why Smart Rules Drive Business Success
8/5/2025
Is regulation a necessary foundation for sustainable business — or just bureaucratic noise? In this episode of Sustainable Leadership – The Leadership Podcast, global leadership expert Niels Brabandt examines why regulation isn't just about rules but about trust, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation.
You’ll learn:
Why systemic risks threaten entire industries — and how regulation prevents collapse
How well-designed compliance builds investor confidence
When regulation fosters fairness, growth, and innovation
What happens when regulatory frameworks fail — and why that’s dangerous
How leaders can apply adaptable, reasonable guidelines to strengthen their organizations
This episode is essential listening for executives, entrepreneurs, compliance professionals, and decision-makers navigating complex, high-stakes environments.
Tune in to rethink what regulation really means for your business — and why ignoring it is no longer an option.
Host: Niels Brabandt / NB@NB-Networks.com
Contact: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nielsbrabandt/
Leadership Letter: https://expert.nb-networks.com/
Website: https://www.nb-networks.biz/
Duration:00:19:47