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
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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/

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• Why annual reviews are outdated — and what works better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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/