Ordinary leaders doing extraordinary things

Hosted by Gerald Ebenezer

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Business leaders generously share their stories on the "art and science of influence" focusing on leadership development for organizations and what it takes for mid-career corporate professionals to breakthrough to the next level in their leadership journey. Mid-career corporate professionals stand to benefit from simple yet highly effective strategies to accelerate their career growth and/or avoid unnecessary struggle early on in their careers.

Listen to episodes

33 recent

August 7, 202622 min

The Counterintuitive Way Executive Coaches Win More Clients with Michael Neuendorff

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.

August 5, 202635 min

The Hidden Blind Spots Leaders Can't See–and How to Uncover Them with Dr. Alexander DeChurch

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence , Dr. Alexander DeChurch explores how leadership blind spots can limit performance—and how greater self-awareness can become a leader's greatest advantage. Drawing on his expertise in organizational psychology, Alexander shares practical strategies for building trust, strengthening leader–follower relationships, and creating environments where honest feedback drives growth. He also discusses the importance of role clarity, strategic thinking, and metacognition in helping leaders identify hidden challenges before they become bigger problems. Whether you're an emerging manager or an experienced executive, this conversation offers practical insights into leading with greater confidence, building high-performing teams, and creating lasting organizational impact.

August 5, 202632 min

The Decision Science Behind Organization Design That Transforms Business Strategy with Zach Bonaker

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.

July 27, 202618 min

The Ecosystem Approach: Unlocking Organizational Support for Behavior Change with Katie Thomas

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.

July 23, 202620 min

Formal Training to Systemic Change: How Organizations Can Truly Embed Learning with Nik Sheremetov

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence , Nick Sheremetov challenges the way organizations approach leadership development, explaining why formal training alone is rarely enough to create lasting change. Drawing on his expertise as an organizational psychologist, Nick explores the 70-20-10 learning model and why the greatest leadership growth happens through on-the-job experience, coaching, mentoring, and feedback. He shares practical insights into building learning cultures that encourage behavioral change, strengthen leadership capability, and deliver meaningful business impact. Whether you're an HR professional, talent leader, or executive looking to develop stronger leaders, this conversation offers practical strategies for creating learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

July 19, 202622 min

The Hidden Secret to Upgrading Your Skills in an AI-Driven World with ET Tan

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.

June 22, 202617 min

The Surprising Power of Mindset and Engagement in Driving Sustainable Change with Marcelo Fariello

In this episode of The Art and Science of Influence , Marcelo Ferrello shares why successful leadership in today's AI-driven world is about more than managing tasks—it's about aligning people, processes, and technology to drive meaningful change. Drawing on his experience leading large-scale transformations across multiple countries, Marcelo explores the "Trinity of Operations" and explains why mindset, engagement, and clear communication are critical to accelerating change adoption. He also shares practical strategies for overcoming resistance, inspiring action, and creating a culture that thrives in uncertainty. Whether you're an operations leader, people manager, or executive navigating change, this conversation offers valuable insights into leading with clarity, purpose, and impact.

June 11, 202631 min

The Surprising Impact of Unconscious Behaviors on Organizational Costs and Change with Ben Wickham

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.

June 11, 202619 min

How Leaders Can Shift from Fear to Opportunity by 'Lighting the Torch' in Change with Nick Tasler

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.

June 2, 202623 min

How a Scientific Mindset Transforms Leadership Development Outcomes with Hannah Yung-Boxdell

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