Second Crack — The Leadership Podcast

Hosted by Gerrit Pelzer, Martin Aldergard

Business Management

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Jan 2026

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About the show

Leadership Consultant Martin Aldergard and Executive Coach Gerrit Pelzer explore everyday leadership dilemmas and paradoxes. Get ready for thought-provoking questions which invite self-reflection and help you grow as a leader. More info: https://secondcrackleadership.com

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January 26, 2026Episode 5441 min

From Chemist to Executive Coach: What Leaders Can Learn from a Non-Linear Career

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 executive coach.Rather than telling a story for its own sake, this conversation uses Gerrit's journey as a case study for leadership reflection. Together, Martin and Gerrit explore what leaders can learn from moments of dissonance, gradual realization, and the courage to take inventory when a role no longer feels aligned.Key themes explored in this episode include:Why career change is rarely driven by a single "aha moment," but by many small signals that form a bigger picture over timeThe difference between being competent at a job and feeling genuinely fulfilled by itHow comfort, habit, and external success can quietly become a prisonThe importance of listening to recurring patterns: what people come to you for, what you're naturally good at, and where your energy goesWhy reflection — not action — is often what senior leaders need mostThe episode also revisits Daniel H. Pink’s concept of motivation, focusing on autonomy, mastery, and purpose, and how these factors played out very differently in Gerrit's corporate career versus his work as a coach. (For a deeper dive, listen to our earlier episode on motivation at work.)If you sense that something in your professional life may need adjustment — without necessarily knowing what — the episode offers practical reflection questions and structured ways to explore next steps. One of these is the GAPS Grid, a tool frequently used in coaching to examine passion, abilities, and how others perceive your strengths. (We explore the GAPS Grid in detail in a dedicated earlier episode.)This episode is especially relevant for senior leaders who:Feel successful but not fully engagedAre questioning long-held career assumptionsWant to reflect more deeply on alignment, purpose, and directionAre considering change — but are unsure how to come to a clear and well-founded decisionRather than offering quick answers, the conversation invites you to slow down, reflect honestly, and face questions head-on — trusting that clarity often emerges through exploration over time.About Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin AldergårdGerrit Pelzer

December 26, 2025Episode 5334 min

The Inner Development Goals: Building Resilient Leadership for a Complex World

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 mattersToday leaders are not primarily challenged by 'technical problems' where clear solutions exist. Instead they face adaptive challenges in an increasingly complex, interconnected, and fast-moving world.IDG answers: What inner capacities do leaders need in order to lead resilient, human-centered organisations in this complex environment?5 dimensions of IDGBEING – Cultivating Our Inner LifeAt the core is Being, highlighting that leadership starts with who we are. The revised wording emphasizes development as an ongoing practice. Skills such as inner compass, self-awareness, and presence may sound obvious, but require continuous reflection. Without them, leadership easily stays on the surface.THINKING – Understanding Our Complex WorldThinking is no longer framed as cognitive skill alone, but as understanding complexity. The shift towards systems thinking reflects today’s reality: leaders face adaptive challenges. Leadership becomes less about control and more about sense-making and framing the right questions so collective intelligence can emerge.RELATING – Caring for Others and the WorldThis dimension reflects a fundamentally different image of leadership: not dominance or certainty, but care, humanity, and relational maturity. Alongside empathy, humility, and compassion, forgiveness has been added as a key skill.COLLABORATING – Building Trust and Working TogetherThe collaborating dimension has been reframed to place trust at its centre. Trust is no longer treated as a skill in itself, but as an outcome of behaviors such as relationship-building, inclusion, communication, and co-creation.ACTING – Leading and Enabling ChangeThe final dimension focuses on enabling action, not driving it. Skills like courage, hope & optimism, and resilience point to leadership as creating conditions where people can act.A living guide for leadersThe IDG is not a finished model, like leadership itself, it continues to evolve. Used as a self-assessment or reflection tool, it helps leaders identify strengths, development areas, and how leadership can be shared across an organization.Working with Second Crack and IDGWe increasingly use IDG in our work. Its strength lies in its simplicity, shared language, and ability to quickly open deep, meaningful conversations about leadership behavior and culture. Please get in touch if you want to explore how we and IDG can support your organisation.Previous episodesFrom 2022, a 6-part in-depth look at IDG. Link to part 1: https://podcast.secondcrackleadership.com/1659493/episodes/10816920Link to episode on Systems Thinking with Dr. Paul Lawrence: https://podcast.secondcrackleadership.com/1659493/episodes/12056252Find more information related to IDG at innerdevelopmentgoals.orgAbout Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin Aldergård Gerrit Pelzer

November 27, 2025Episode 5230 min

The Inner Development Goals 2.0 - Bringing Forgiveness into Leadership

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 back, and how forgiveness can help rebuild trust and release energy for growth and collaboration. And we challenge the idea that forgiveness is a sign of weakness — and rather requires strength, self-awareness, and courage.Key insightsForgiveness is not weakness.It takes strength and courage to face what happened, to let go of anger, and to move forward.Forgiveness and accountability can coexist. You can forgive someone and still hold them accountable — forgiveness doesn’t mean there are no consequences.Healing relationships frees up energy. Letting go of grudges restores focus and vitality — for individuals, teams, and the whole organization.Forgiveness can help make change successful. Acknowledging past disappointments, frustrations and hurts is essential before a team can truly move forward.Reflection questionsWhat makes you feel hurt, what makes you angry, and what creates negative feelings?If you are in the process of forgiving, reflect on what might this be teaching you? And even if you are still feeling hurt, how might you use this pain as a positive force for growth? Where might you still be holding a grudge — maybe over many years — and is it time to forgive? And who do you need to forgive?Is there anybody who you might have hurt? And isn't it time to actively approach that person and reach out?As a leader, how can you be more observant of your team’s emotions and the impact of your own behavior?How can forgiveness become a force for learning and growth in your team?Introduction to The Inner Development Goals (IDG)Our episode introducing the IDG: https://podcast.secondcrackleadership.com/1659493/episodes/10816920More information related to the IDG at innerdevelopmentgoals.orgAbout Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin Aldergård Gerrit Pelzer

October 24, 2025Episode 5138 min

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times − with Martin Farrell

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 bean’s full flavor—Martin reminds us that it’s often the heat of turbulence that helps leaders grow, if they have the courage to face it.HighlightsThe heat transforms: Growth happens in challenge, not comfort. Leaders evolve by facing turbulence, not avoiding it.Authenticity matters: Good leadership begins with self-awareness and alignment between inner and outer worlds.Avoidance fuels crisis: Many problems stem from ignoring early signals. Awareness and reflection are the antidotes.Listen to learn: Deep listening and “thinking partners” help leaders see what they can’t see alone.From ego to eco: Real wisdom comes from seeing oneself as part of a larger whole—organization, community, planet.Three enduring qualities: Compassion, courage, and wisdom form the foundation for leading well in uncertain times.Reflection questionsWhen I’m going through turbulent times as a leader, what are the signals I might be missing — or perhaps don’t want to see? How can I stay more open to them?So even if there is a crisis, how can I create space for reflection and ask myself, “What’s really going on here?”And whatever the outcome, success or failure, ask: what can I learn from it, and how can that learning become part of who I am as a leader?How can I turn discomfort or pain from crisis, into fuel for growth, rather than something to resist or suppress?About Martin FarrellHe is an author and long-time international facilitator with over 60 years’ experience in civil society organizations. His book ‘Good Leaders in Turbulent Times’ is available through major booksellers.Learn more at martinfarrell.orgMartin has also published leadership articles on his SubstackAbout Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin Aldergård Gerrit Pelzer

September 26, 2025Episode 5036 min

Stop Telling, Start Learning: Five Steps to People-Powered Change

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 ownership of change. It’s about moving from telling to engaging, from compliance to commitment — and putting people at the center of transformation.HighlightsWhy traditional “telling” approaches fail to create lasting changeThe tension between speed and engagement — and how to handle itCompliance vs. commitment: the difference between “I do this because I have to” and “I want to”The five steps* leaders can use to enable learning and change:Spark curiosityProvide information and contextCreate opportunities to processEnable “aha” momentsSupport actionHow learning journeys turn communication plans into true change processesWhy shared insights matter more than individual understanding* These steps are what Klas Mellander refers to as "The Power of Learning" and you can read more about them in his book with the same name.Reflection questionsAs always, we wrap up the conversation with a couple of self-reflection prompts:How do you balance the need for speed with the importance of engaging people in a change process?As a leader, where do you get support for your own learning during change?Are you truly interested in what your people have to say — and open to letting their perspectives shape the outcome?What would make the change you are currently leading truly meaningful and relevant for the people you need to get on board?About Second Crack – The Leadership PodcastLearn more about the podcast and our work at secondcrackleadership.com. To explore how we can support leadership development in your organization—whether through company-wide initiatives or individual executive coaching—email: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect on LinkedIn:Martin AldergårdGerrit Pelzer

August 29, 2025Episode 4935 min

Executive Coaching Lessons from 15 Years: Who You Are Is How You Lead

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: coaching is about helping leaders create the conditions in which people—including the leaders themselves—can be their best, not just do their best. This crucial shift from doing to being is what unlocks authentic, effective leadership.Gerrit and Martin explore:Common Myths vs. Reality: Coaching isn't a "fix" for underperformers. Like top athletes—and leaders such as Eric Schmidt—high performers rely on coaches to keep their edge.The Value Beyond ROI: The most significant benefits of coaching are often intangible. For senior leaders, a confidential space to think is rare—but vital to gain clarity, reflect without pressure, and navigate the reality that "it can be quite lonely at the top".The Power of Candid Feedback: A coach can be the one person who provides the direct feedback that others may be unwilling to share, breaking through blind spots and making further personal growth possible.Goals and Emergence: Is coaching always about setting SMART goals? Or does the real magic happen when we trust the process and allow new insights to surface? Ultimately, it's about finding the intricate balance between allowing for emergence and delivering tangible results.Reflection Questions for Leaders:What have I invested in my personal development over the past months—and is it enough for the scope I hold?What belief or assumption might be holding me back from working with an executive coach?What might I be failing to see about myself, and what would happen if I continued in the same way for the next few years?Curious whether executive coaching is right for you? Gerrit offers complimentary and obligation-free exploratory conversations to look at your context—and will happily suggest alternatives if coaching isn’t the best path.About Second Crack – The Leadership Podcast: Learn more at secondcrackleadership.com. For leadership development in your organization—or to enquire about executive coaching with Gerrit—email hello@secondcrackleadership.com Connect on LinkedIn: Martin Aldergård • Gerrit Pelzer

July 25, 2025Episode 4837 min

Expat Leadership: The Untold Truths Behind the Adventure

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 consulting abroad. Each having lived and worked in Asia for over 20 years, they offer candid insights into the unique rewards and hidden challenges of taking on international assignments.Moving beyond surface-level excitement, they explore critical leadership dilemmas that can make or break an overseas posting. From managing misaligned expectations between headquarters and local stakeholders to the danger of being “parachuted in”, Gerrit and Martin share personal and hard-earned lessons on the importance of cultural intelligence, communication, and proactively managing networks and perceptions back home to avoid the "out of sight, out of mind" trap that can derail future career prospects.The conversation also delves into the deep personal consequences of a life lived abroad. From navigating the impact on partners and children to caring for aging parents from afar and adjusting to the bittersweet reality of no longer having a single "home," they reflect on how an initial two-year contract can unexpectedly turn into a life-altering, two-decade journey.If you’re preparing for your first expat role, already on assignment, or considering returning home after years abroad, this episode will give you the questions, perspectives, and tools to navigate the journey with greater awareness and intentionality.About Second Crack – The Leadership PodcastLearn more about the podcast and the hosts’ work at secondcrackleadership.com. To explore how they can support leadership development in your organization—whether through company-wide initiatives or individual executive coaching—email: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect on LinkedIn:Martin AldergårdGerrit Pelzer

June 27, 2025Episode 4745 min

Leadership Under Pressure with Michael Andrei – Former Professional Volleyball Team Captain

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 the striking parallels between leading on the court and leading in the boardroom. Drawing from his career in top-tier volleyball—including competing in front of 13,000 fans at the European Championships—Michael shares practical insights on pressure, presence, and performance.Key themes in this conversation include:Leading under pressure: What corporate leaders can learn from staying focused in high-stress, high-visibility environments.The importance of body language and emotional control—and how captains and executives alike set the emotional tone for their teams.Why "not taking yourself too seriously" can actually be a sign of strength.Building high-performance cultures: lessons from recruiting and retaining the right team players.How feedback, even when direct and uncomfortable, builds trust and improves performance—if delivered in the right way.Mistake management: distinguishing between "acceptable" and "unacceptable”"errors to enable smart risk-taking.Rethinking success: Why winning isn't everything, and how true leadership shows up not just in victory—but in how we respond to setbacks.Michael also shares strategies and tools from professional sports that are relevant in the corporate context: managing your energy, maintaining emotional composure, and developing resilience through rituals like breathing techniques and staying focused on what truly matters.Whether you're a CEO, senior leader, or team manager, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical strategies for leading with clarity, composure, and heart.Reflection Questions for Leaders:What does "winning" mean to you?Are you projecting the energy you want others to experience?And are there moments where you could take yourself just a little less seriously?To find out more about Michael Andrei and to connect with him, go to his LinkedIn-Profile.About Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin AldergårdGerrit Pelzer

May 23, 2025Episode 4640 min

What Can Leaders Learn from a Clown? With Janolof Elander

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, connection, and transformation.🌟 The Main Principle of Clowning“Don’t try to be funny.”This might feel unintuitive, but clowning isn’t about jokes. It’s about presence, being real, tuned-in, and creating a connection in the moment. And that is a critical part of effective leadership too.🖐️ Five Clowning Principles — and Their Link to Leadership1. “Do one thing at a time.”Focus on what's here now. This principle strengthens mindfulness and helps leaders stay grounded, attuned, and better equipped to respond to what’s actually happening — not what they planned or expected.2. “All action in eye contact.”True connection starts with presence. Eye contact signals sincerity and builds trust. Leaders who truly see their people create safer, more engaged spaces for dialogue and performance.3. “Wait three seconds before each planned action.”This pause adds space for reflection, alignment, and connection. It helps leaders avoid reactive behavior and instead respond with intention. It also signals calm, confidence, and gives others room to contribute.4. “Look at sound (and movement) with your whole head.”A metaphor for picking up subtle signals — sounds, gestures, shifts in energy. As leaders, this means being alert to the unsaid, the elephant in the room, or unexpected cues — and choosing to engage rather than ignore.5. “If you make a mistake, repeat it three times.”Mistakes are part of the show — and part of growth. Instead of covering up, owning mistakes and repeating them (metaphorically) brings playfulness and disarms fear, inviting learning and openness.Reflection QuestionsAs always, we wrap up the conversation with a couple of self-reflection prompts:When could you try to apply one of these clowning principles in a real work situation — and how could you learn from it?When did you last step out of your comfort zone and show vulnerability in a challenging or uncertain situation? What did you learn from it?What is one thing you could do differently to build stronger connections with people at work?About Janolof ElanderConnect with Janolof on LinkedIn.About Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin Aldergård Gerrit Pelzer

April 25, 2025Episode 4533 min

Leadership Under Pressure: What to Do When It Feels Too Much

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 that leadership challenges can take—especially in today's volatile and high-pressure corporate environments. We talk about how to recognize when it's time to take a break versus when persistence might carry you through. And we discuss why one-size-fits-all advice often falls short in these moments.The conversation introduces the Healthy Mind Platter, a concept developed by Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. David Rock. This simple but powerful framework outlines seven essential daily activities that support mental well-being: focus time, play time, connecting time, physical time, time in (for reflection), downtime, and sleep time. We share how leaders can use this model not only to sustain their energy and focus, but also to develop the clarity and resilience required to lead through tough times.Beyond practical tools, this episode invites you to reflect more deeply on personal values, your "inner compass," and whether your current leadership path aligns with what truly matters to you. Sometimes the answer lies in small adjustments; other times, it may require bigger, more fundamental changes—for instance, changing jobs.Reflection Questions for Leaders When you feel a lack of motivation or start doubting yourself, ask yourself: What is this telling me? What can I learn from it?And when a situation is feeling just too hard: Do I simply need a break and some rest—or is something fundamentally wrong? Are my daily actions still aligned with my inner compass? And do I even know clearly in which direction my compass is pointing?About Second CrackMore information about us and our work is available on our website: secondcrackleadership.com. Contact us now to explore how we can support your leadership development in a company-wide initiative or with individual executive coaching: hello@secondcrackleadership.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn:Martin AldergårdGerrit Pelzer