Ordinary leaders doing extraordinary things

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Kaveh Mir explores why leaders can become trapped by the very strategies that made them successful—and how ego, feedback, and psychological safety shape their ability to keep growing. Drawing on his experience as an award-winning executive coach, Kaveh explores the role of storytelling in leadership, from The Odyssey and Shahnameh to Shakespeare and Star Wars. He explains how stories can reveal blind spots, create deeper reflection, and help leaders understand how others experience their leadership. He also shares practical insights into creating the trust and challenge needed for meaningful behavioural change. Whether you're an executive coach, people leader, or professional focused on leadership development, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on feedback, identity, and what it takes to turn insight into lasting change.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Liesl Keen explores the hidden human cost of constant change and why leaders need to rethink how they approach AI, resilience, and workplace pressure. Drawing on her expertise as an organizational psychologist and executive coach, Liesl explains why change fatigue is often mistaken for resistance, how AI is shifting work from creating to checking, and why sustained stress can affect decision-making and motivation. She also shares practical insights into micro-recovery, resilience, and creating space for leaders and teams to maintain their energy and clarity. Whether you're a leader, manager, coach, or professional navigating rapid AI-driven change, this conversation offers a more human approach to staying resilient, leading effectively, and embracing change without losing yourself or your team.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Shane Pond explores why executive coaches and consultants need more than logic to influence decision-makers and create meaningful change. Shane shares how storytelling, trust, and future-focused conversations can help coaches build stronger connections, uncover blind spots, and move clients from resistance toward action. He also explores how understanding the psychology behind connection and motivation can make conversations more impactful without feeling overly sales-focused. Whether you're an executive coach, OD practitioner, or consultant, this conversation offers practical insights into communicating with greater influence, building trust with organizational leaders, and helping clients create lasting behavioural change.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Michael Neuendorff explores why executive coaches often get specialization wrong—and how becoming more relevant to organizations can help coaches stand out, earn trust, and grow their practice. Drawing on his experience as an executive coach and coach educator, Michael explains what “coach-market fit” looks like and why clear specialization can be the entry point to broader opportunities. He also shares insights into supporting leaders through promotions, career transitions, change, and overwhelm, while helping them move from operational thinking to strategic leadership. Whether you're an aspiring or newly certified executive coach, or a leader navigating a major transition, this conversation offers practical insights into building a stronger coaching practice and creating greater impact inside organizations.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Zach Bonaker explores how organizational design can become a powerful driver of strategy, helping leaders make better decisions and build organizations equipped for the future. Drawing on his experience in organization development, Zach explains why organizational design is a decision science, sharing practical frameworks for navigating trade-offs, aligning structure with strategy, and applying systems thinking to create lasting change. He also discusses how AI is reshaping organizations and why leaders must rethink the way they design teams, processes, and capabilities. Whether you're an HR professional, executive coach, or senior leader, this conversation offers practical insights into designing adaptive organizations that can thrive in an increasingly complex and AI-driven world.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Katie Thomas explores why leadership development often fails to create lasting change—and why real transformation depends on more than just training. Drawing on her expertise as a business psychologist, Katie explains how habits, identity, and the surrounding environment shape leadership behaviours. She shares practical strategies for embedding lasting change, including using environmental cues, "if-then" planning, and creating workplace ecosystems that reinforce new ways of thinking and leading. Whether you're an L&D professional, HR leader, or people manager, this conversation offers practical insights into designing development programs that create sustainable behavioural change and long-term organizational impact.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, ET Tan explores why AI isn't something to fear—it's a powerful tool that can amplify your skills, accelerate your career, and help you stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. Drawing on 35 years of experience spanning Silicon Valley and global technology leadership, ET shares practical insights on how professionals can embrace AI with curiosity rather than hesitation. Through simple analogies and real-world examples, he explains the different ways people engage with AI and why developing an experimental mindset is the key to long-term success. Whether you're a recent graduate, a people leader, or an executive, this conversation offers practical strategies for building confidence with AI, future-proofing your career, and taking ownership of your professional growth in the age of intelligent technology.

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, Ben Wickham explores the power of Single Session Coaching (SSC) and how one focused conversation can create lasting change. Drawing on his expertise in leadership development and systems thinking, Ben explains why traditional approaches often miss the root cause of performance issues and how addressing unconscious patterns can unlock meaningful transformation. Discover how defensive behaviors impact productivity, the hidden role belonging plays in workplace performance, and why understanding the system behind behavior is critical for effective leadership. Ben also shares practical insights on measuring the true cost of dysfunctional behaviors and creating sustainable change in a fraction of the time. Whether you're a CEO, HR leader, coach, or people manager, this episode offers a fresh perspective on leadership development and a powerful framework for driving high-impact change.

Most leaders have been taught that change is difficult—but what if that belief is actually holding us back? In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence, organizational psychologist and author Nick Tasler challenges conventional thinking around change management. Drawing on decades of experience with global organizations, he shares why reframing change as an opportunity for growth can unlock greater resilience, innovation, and engagement. Discover Nick’s powerful "light the torch" framework, learn why fear-based approaches often fail, and explore practical ways to inspire people through uncertainty. Whether you're leading a team, navigating transformation, or simply looking to become a more effective leader, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how to turn change into a catalyst for growth.

Unlock the secret to transforming technical experts into strategic leaders using data-driven talent development. Hannah Young Boxdell, an IO psychology expert, reveals how structured assessments and scientifically grounded coaching can accelerate leadership growth and ensure real-world impact.

Rolf Pfeffer reveals a simple yet powerful shift—calling it your “sweet spot”—that unlocks clarity, confidence, and authentic growth. If you're stuck choosing a niche or unsure how to focus your impact, this episode shows you how to identify your true strengths by reflecting on energizing moments and past successes, rather than prescribing rigid labels.

Join us on "The Art and Science of Influence" as we dive into a compelling conversation with Dr. Syukri Sudari, a seasoned HR leader.  In this episode, Dr. Sudari shares his unique insights on HR leadership, the importance of speaking the business lingo, and the transformative role of AI in the workplace.  Discover how to bridge the gap between HR and business, and learn the critical skills needed to thrive in strategic leadership. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that challenges conventional thinking and encourages leaders to embrace change and innovation.

In this episode of "The Art and Science of Influence," host Gerald welcomes Dr. Jeroen Kraaijenbrink, a strategy educator, author, and consultant.  They delve into the concept of strategy as a learnable competency, exploring the "Big Five of Strategy" framework. Dr. Kraaijenbrink emphasizes the importance of balancing strategic thinking and doing across all organizational levels, challenging traditional top-down approaches.  The discussion highlights the need for clear strategy formulation and the role of leadership in embedding strategic competencies as a core organizational priority. Tune in to discover how strategic thinking can be cultivated as a skill essential for navigating today's dynamic business landscape.

In this episode of "The Art and Science of Influence," host Gerald welcomes Jaye Lee, a renowned business coach and strategist known as the "CEO Whisperer."  Jaye challenges the traditional emphasis on coaching credentials, arguing that domain authority will be the key differentiator in 2026 and beyond. She shares insights on how coaches can stand out by specializing in niche markets and leveraging technology like AI to enhance their services.  Jaye emphasizes the importance of building personal expertise and aligning one's coaching practice with their true passions and strengths. This episode is a must-listen for coaches looking to redefine their approach and thrive in a competitive market.

Join us in this insightful conversation with Daniel Hemhauser, an executive coach for project managers, as we delve into the art and science of human-centered project leadership. Discover the distinction between project managers and leaders, and learn how empathy, active listening, and relationship-building can transform your approach to managing projects.  Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, Daniel's wisdom offers valuable guidance for leading with heart and achieving success in today's dynamic work environment.

Join Gerald as he welcomes Cynthia, a global marketing strategist, to discuss the art and science of influence.  Dive into Cynthia's journey as an entrepreneur, marketer, and trainer, and explore how authenticity can be your greatest superpower. Discover the 3C framework of clarity, consistency, and connection, and learn how to build a personal brand that resonates. Whether you're an aspiring leader or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of personal branding and the importance of being true to yourself. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with practical advice and inspiring stories.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the journey of Leopold Neuerburg, co-founder of Building Radar, a startup that has transformed into a thriving business over nine years.  Discover how direction, alignment, and accountability have been pivotal in scaling success. Leopold shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from a co-founder to a managing director, the role of coaching, and the impact of AI on business dynamics.  Whether you're a startup founder or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable lessons on leadership and growth. Tune in to learn how to scale your own time and empower your team for success.

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of systemic approaches in organizational coaching.  Discover how looking beyond individual performance to the broader system can unlock potential and drive success.  Join us as we explore strategies that foster holistic growth, enhance team dynamics, and navigate change effectively. Whether you're a coach, leader, or team member, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a thriving organizational environment.

In this episode with Segar Jeyatsingh, we talk about this idea of "Not all great coaches are certified" and "Not all certified coaches are great".  Segar shares his insights on what the market is actually looking for in executive coaching capabilities and how executive coaches can position and differentiate themselves in the market.  This is a gold mine for new executive coaches in thinking about their marketing strategy to do work that matters for people who care.

In this episode, I chat with Rich Fozi — an HR leader who also leads corporate strategy (a rare and powerful combo!). We dive into how HR can earn a real seat at the leadership table, and what it takes for HR professionals to grow into more strategic, high-impact roles. Rich is based in Malaysia and brings a fresh, global perspective to the conversation. One of the key questions we explore is: In today’s AI-driven world, how can young professionals set themselves up for a fulfilling and rewarding career? It’s a relaxed, insightful conversation packed with practical advice, especially if you're thinking about your next career move or how to stay relevant in a fast-changing world.