Stepsero

Stepsero
  • 5,0 (4)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • HALBWÖCHENTLICH

Modern work is demanding. Even for people who are good at what they do, the human complexity around it can be exhausting. Stepsero is a podcast for professionals who want to feel less overwhelmed by it all. Every episode is a focused, honest conversation on one of the topics that make modern work challenging: leadership, communication, difficult conversations, AI, mental well-being, and more. No filler. No hour-long rambles. One short conversation at a time, towards a little more clarity.

  1. VOR 8 STD.

    #97: The freedom to overwork

    For most of history, workplaces controlled people by telling them what they couldn’t do. Today the control works differently, by removing all restrictions and letting people push themselves to their own limits. In this conversation, Mark Orlic unpacks what philosopher Byung-Chul Han calls “The Burnout Society” where individuals are both victim and perpetrator of their own exhaustion. We also discuss what AI is doing to the human fabric of organisations, why multitasking is an animal behaviour rather than a human one, and what Mark noticed about himself only after stepping back from corporate life. Our Guest: Mark D. Orlic Mark D. Orlic spent over two decades at Big Four consulting firms, as a Partner and AI Leader, where he advised governments, multinationals, and institutions across Europe on strategy, digital transformation, and the economic forces reshaping the continent. He was responsible for building and leading the AI practice in Germany at a moment when the gap between institutional ambition and institutional readiness was at its most consequential. He brings to his book, Geisterfahrer, what no purely German perspective could: a triple-identity shaped by Croatian roots, an American upbringing, and long-term residency in Germany. It is a vantage point that produces neither the insider’s blind spots nor the outsider’s condescension – only the particular impatience of someone who loves a place enough to tell it the truth. He is a lecturer at the University of Mannheim on social and fiscal policy questions that form the book’s analytical core, and speaks regularly on strategic transformation, Germany’s economic crossroads, and the leadership demands of the AI transition. He lives with his wife and three young children in Germany. References: Mark D. Orlic LinkedIn profile Geisterfahrer: Germany at a Societal, Political and Economic Crossroads (English Edition) Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    18 Min.

  2. VOR 4 TAGEN

    #96: Personality, leadership, and remote teams: what the research actually shows

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Henry Mullins, senior operations and strategy leader, and PhD in industrial-organizational psychology, to dig into what personality traits actually drive leadership performance in virtual and remote settings. Henry shares findings from his research on remote leadership, including where the existing literature falls short, the key theories connecting personality to leadership, and practical strategies you can apply to lead more effectively in a virtual environment. Our Guest: Dr. Henry Mullins Dr. Henry C. Mullins is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel whose career spanned more than thirty years across both enlisted and officer ranks. Beginning his service in 1992, he advanced through a wide range of leadership positions including platoon leader, company commander, battalion staff officer, brigade operations officer, and  brigade deputy commanding officer. His career included deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and reflects a rare blend of tactical, operational, and executive‑level experience. After retiring from the military, Dr. Mullins transitioned into senior leadership roles in the private sector, focusing on technical delivery, organizational effectiveness, and people‑centered leadership. His work draws on both real‑world command experience and the science of human behavior and performance, giving him a distinctive perspective on how leaders and teams operate under pressure, adapt to change, and build sustainable cultures. Dr. Mullins holds a BA in Criminal Justice, an MA in Ancient & Classical History, and a PhD in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, where his research examined virtual leadership, personality, and performance. Today, he continues to support leaders, teams, and organizations seeking clarity, alignment, and measurable improvement—bringing a practitioner‑scholar approach to modern leadership challenges. Outside of his professional work, he stays active through martial arts, mountain biking, skiing, and public service. He lives in Georgia with his wife Buffy and their youngest daughter, Sarah Elizabeth, and is the proud father of Courtney and Madison—herself a U.S. Army veteran. References: Dr Henry Mullins LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    16 Min.

  3. VOR 6 TAGEN

    #95: Performance management: The Revolut way

    In a world where performance can make or break a company, creating a high-performance culture is essential. In this post, we dive into a conversation with Andrei Oprisor, the head of the people product department at Revolut, to explore how their internal human resource management system, Revolut People, emphasizes performance and meritocracy. We uncover the key components that drive this approach and how you can implement similar strategies in your organization. Our Guest: Andrei Oprisor Engineer turned product leader, Andrei Oprisor is the creator of Revolut People, the performance management platform that helped scale Revolut to 12,000+ employees across 60+ countries. Originally from Bucharest, Andrei joined Revolut during its early hyper-growth phase as one of the company’s first data engineers. Within months, he was working directly with Revolut’s founder, Nik Storonsky, to tackle a challenge no off-the-shelf software could solve: how to build and scale a high-performance culture, with systems designed around quality, not bureaucracy. What started as an internal tool quickly evolved into Revolut People: a full-stack platform covering goal setting, performance cycles, engagement, compensation, core HR, and recruitment. After five years of internal development and hundreds of thousands performance reviews processed, Andrei now leads the global go-to-market of the product to hundreds of scale-ups building exceptional teams. References: Andrei Oprisor LinkedIn profile https://www.revolut.com/people/   Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    21 Min.

  4. 11. MAI

    #94: Ambiguity at work: moving forward without all the answers

    Ambiguity at work is not new. Yet, it feels harder than ever, and it’s one of the most underrated sources of anxiety for knowledge workers and leaders alike. Costas (executive coach and former banker) has navigated plenty of uncertainty across his career. In this conversation, we explore how to move forward when the information is incomplete, why the best leaders share the burden of uncertainty rather than carrying it alone, and why ambiguity and lack of clarity are not the same thing, even if they feel identical in the moment. One short conversation. A little more clarity on one of the foggiest parts of modern work. Our Guest: Costas Kalisperas Costas is the Founder & CEO of In Tune Executive Coaching. His focus is on helping leaders to be in tune with themselves and their environment, tap into their inner resourcefulness and manage their interactions with others more effectively. To know more about Costas, please visit any of the links below. References: Costas Kalisperas LinkedIn profile www.intune-exec.com Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

  5. 8. MAI

    #93: Trauma awareness at work, what nobody talks about

    Some children learn that performing is the safest way to stay connected, and that pattern follows them into adulthood. Dr. Caroline Böttiger, psychotherapist and neuroscientist, explores how childhood trauma shapes the way we behave at work, why high achievers often struggle when they’re asked to lead people, and what trauma awareness could mean for how we build healthier workplaces. A rare and honest conversation about attachment styles, psychological safety, and the patterns most organisations never talk about. Our Guest: Caroline Böttiger Dr. Caroline Böttiger holds a PhD in Neuroscience and works as a psychotherapist and business coach in her office “Das Mitte Institut” in Berlin. She also runs a neurofeedback training method to improve mental health, focus and emotional regulation in the brain. In 2019 she published the book “Das Hungertier in Dir” about emotional eating and the connection between mental and physical health. Being an expert in mental health, burnout, leadership, team building and psychological safe communication skills, she provides workshops and coaching for multiple companies in Germany and Europe. References: www.mitte-praxis.de www.mitte-institut.de www.emotional-mind.com Dr Caroline Böttiger Linkedin profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    17 Min.

  6. 5. MAI

    #92: Hiring in 2026: what candidates and companies get wrong

    Episode Notes Konstanty Sliwowski has spent over two decades in hiring, interviewing more than 12,000 candidates along the way. In this conversation we explore what a broken hiring process actually costs, why mass applying rarely works, and what both candidates and companies get fundamentally wrong. A practical and honest conversation for anyone navigating the job market or responsible for building a team. Our Guest: Konstanty Sliwowski Konstanty Sliwowski is a 3x founder with 2x exits, and Oxford-educated practitioner who has spent over twenty years advising leadership teams across Europe, Asia, North America, and the Middle East on the decisions that shape organisations. He has conducted more than 12,000 interviews, facilitated over 1,000 hires, and today runs School of Hiring, where he works with founders and people leaders on the questions that keep them up at night: Should we hire? Should we promote from within? Should we invest in training? Or is AI now the smarter answer? His argument is simple. Most leaders treat these as separate problems. They are not. They are one decision, and most organisations are making it without a system. References: Konstanty Sliwowski LinkedIn profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    20 Min.

  7. 3. MAI

    #91: The Elephant in the Room: Institutional Resilience & Quiet Cracking

    Episode Notes One in four employees has considered quitting because of what work is doing to their mental health. The conversation about workplace mental wellbeing has never been more relevant, or more urgent. In this episode, Mark Debus, clinical manager of behavioural health services at Sedgwick, shares his clinical perspective on what is really happening to people at work. We discuss quiet cracking, resilience, and what managers can do to genuinely support their teams before burnout sets in. A candid and practical conversation for anyone who manages people, or works alongside them. Our Guest: Mark Debus Mark Debus as Clinical Manager of Behavioral Health at Sedgwick, leads a team of master’s level behavioral health specialists. His team consults with claims examiners and clients on complex recovery or psychiatric injury claims. They also work with injured employees who are struggling with the aftereffects of a workplace trauma or who are experiencing other types of psychosocial stressors in their lives. His team helps injured workers overcome barriers to treatment and improve motivation for successful return to work outcomes. In addition, he provides subject matter expertise on mental health issues as they relate to the workplace and management practices. Prior to Sedgwick, Mark worked in employee assistance (EAP) and the mental health field in crisis response services. Mark has a BA in psychology and communications from Marquette University and an MSW from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Illinois. References: Mark Debus Likedin profile Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    18 Min.

  8. 27. APR.

    #90: The power of authenticity on LinkedIn, with Sarka Risch

    Episode Notes In this episode, Sarka Risch shares her journey to become a LinkedIn expert, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, mindset, and strategic relationship-building for personal branding success. Discover practical tips to unlock your confidence and grow your presence on LinkedIn.   Our Guest: Sarka Risch Sarka Risch is a LinkedIn coach, trainer, and speaker. She joined LinkedIn in 2012 and started as a lurker, afraid of what to share, how to use the platform, and how to talk to people. In 2021, she started investing in her development, LinkedIn, copywriting, and sales skills – and found her purpose, vision, and mission. To date (April 2026), she has helped over 300 leaders find their voice on LinkedIn and build a strong community to realize their goals with the platform. A big part of her journey is her work on a growth mindset, meditation, and learning Kabbalah. She speaks six languages, was born in Czechoslovakia, and has been living in Switzerland since 2007. Her unique LinkedIn‑coaching method was featured in Forbes in 2025. In 2026, she was recognized as the No. 1 LinkedIn growth female expert in Czechia and the No. 2 LinkedIn growth expert in Switzerland. In her 2024 TEDx talk, Sarka inspired the audience by sharing how embracing imperfection has changed her life. In her talks, she loves inspiring audiences about her LinkedIn and entrepreneurial journey. Passionate about personal development and leadership, Sarka continues to invest in her growth and LinkedIn expertise – because she believes that strong connections and authentic voices create lasting impact. References: Sarka Risch Likedin profile   Listen to the next Episode All Podcast Episodes

    17 Min.
Alle anzeigen (98)

Bewertungen und Rezensionen

5
von 5
4 Bewertungen

Info

Modern work is demanding. Even for people who are good at what they do, the human complexity around it can be exhausting. Stepsero is a podcast for professionals who want to feel less overwhelmed by it all. Every episode is a focused, honest conversation on one of the topics that make modern work challenging: leadership, communication, difficult conversations, AI, mental well-being, and more. No filler. No hour-long rambles. One short conversation at a time, towards a little more clarity.

Informationen

  • Erstellt von
    Stepsero
  • Jahre aktiv
    2020 - 2026
  • Folgen
    98
  • Bewertung
    Anstößig
  • Sendungswebsite
    Stepsero