Second Crack — The Leadership Podcast

Why do some leaders inspire confidence and trust, while others struggle to make their voices heard, even when they have excellent expertise and a strong track record? In this episode we explore executive presence: what it means, why it matters, and how leaders can develop it. Executive presence often becomes a topic when talented professionals are considered for promotion. They may be technically...

“Your nervous system walks through the door before you do.” We like to think that how we show up as leaders is largely a conscious choice. We prepare, set our intentions, choose our words, and try to behave in ways that reflect the kind of leader we want to be. But what if something else is already happening before we say a word? And what if some of the challenges we experience as leaders are not...

If you already know what the right decision is, what's really stopping you from taking it? Most leaders don't struggle because they lack information. More often, they hesitate because something less visible gets in the way. In this episode, we welcome back leadership author, former Chief Sustainability Officer, and executive advisor Jim Massey . Building on the ideas from his new book Ri...

In this episode, we welcome Jia Hou, a global business leader who has spent the past fourteen years helping industrial companies grow across Europe and Asia. Drawing on her experience spanning markets, organizations and regional businesses, Jia shares why business challenges are rarely just about culture. Instead, they are about leading across different business realities, decision-making logics a...

Many leaders reach a point in their career where something feels slightly "off" — even when, on paper, everything looks successful. In this episode, Gerrit Pelzer shares his personal professional journey: from studying chemistry and earning a PhD, through senior leadership roles in the chemical industry (including several years as an expat in Thailand), to eventually becoming an executiv...

In this episode, we return to the updated Inner Development Goals (IDG), and reflect on what has changed, why it matters and how IDG is now even more relevant for leaders that want to develop resilient leadership. Why IDG matters Today leaders are not primarily challenged by 'technical problems' where clear solutions exist. Instead they face adaptive challenges in an increasingly complex...

In this episode, we explore forgiveness as an essential yet often overlooked capacity in leadership. Inspired by the updated Inner Development Goals 2.0, which now include forgiveness, we ask what it really means to forgive in a corporate context — and why it might be one of the strongest acts a leader can take. We look at how resentment and hurts drain energy, how unresolved conflicts hold teams...

In this episode we explore what it means to lead with authenticity, courage, compassion and wisdom when the pressure is on. Our guest, Martin Farrell, author of Good Leaders in Turbulent Times, shares insights from six decades working for and with civil society organizations including the Red Cross and Save the Children. Through the metaphor of coffee roasting—the “second crack” that releases a be...

So often leaders tell people what to do, expecting change to follow. But real, lasting change happens when people understand, process, and make sense of change for themselves. In this episode, we dive into the "Power of learning” as a key to leading change and transformation.  We share a practical, five-step approach that every leader can use to involve people, spark motivation, and create ow...

As a senior leader, you've achieved significant success. But how do you keep evolving into the best leader you can be—and is executive coaching the right lever? In this special 49th episode of Second Crack, co-hosts Gerrit Pelzer and Martin Aldergård take a candid look at the purpose and value of executive coaching. Marking his 15th anniversary in the field, Gerrit shares his core philosophy:...

An international assignment often promises adventure and accelerated career growth. And while an expatriate experience can be life-enriching and fulfilling, it also comes with challenges and unexpected surprises few people talk about. In this episode of Second Crack – The Leadership Podcast , hosts Gerrit Pelzer and Martin Aldergård draw on their decades of experience leading, coaching, and consul...

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 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, conne...

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...

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...

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 strength...

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 Intention...

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...

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 ch...

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 he...

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...

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, expl...

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 feelin...

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 fo...

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...