Oct 20

Who leads when AI optimizes? With Prof. Sverre Spoelstra

Does AI free leaders for the human side of their work, or does it wear down the judgment they need to lead? Sverre Spoelstra, Professor of Organization at Lund University and Associate Professor of Leadership and Strategy at Copenhagen Business School, doubts the promise. In this conversation with Anne Barnea, he explains what happens to judgment, voice and accountability when algorithms move from management into leadership. Key takeaways Management works inside a system toward agreed goals, which is already algorithmic. That is why AI absorbs it first.People rarely stop at simple tasks. They also ask bots about moral dilemmas, and judging the answer needs experience of your own.Learning is struggle, and chatbots rarely object.What helps each person can lower quality overall, and the damage often shows only at scale.Responsibility needs a self. A bot has none, so a person stays accountable. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:10 What is leadership? 04:36 Management versus leadership 10:53 Technical and adaptive challenges 12:16 Why “freeing leaders” is a fantasy 15:40 Outsourcing moral dilemmas 16:15 Who judges the judgment? 18:58 Students, struggle and finding your own voice 20:30 Losing your own voice 22:00 The value of struggle in learning 25:00 Philosophy as training to think 29:37 Images of leadership: from authentic to algorithmic 37:08 Sam Altman’s AI CEO prediction 39:53 Who is accountable when AI decides? 44:21 Hidden bias in hiring 46:13 Can machines think? 50:23 The Mechanical Turk in reverse 1:00:11 Augmentation, collaboration, symbiosis 1:04:30 What AI should take over 1:08:29 Can objects exercise leadership? Guest Sverre Spoelstra: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sverre-Spoelstra Book: Leadership and Organization: A Philosophical Introduction (Routledge, 2016) Mentioned Ronald Heifetz (Adaptive Leadership), Alan Turing (the imitation game), the Mechanical Turk, Sam Altman, Abraham Zaleznik (HBR, “Managers and Leaders: Are They Different?”)

Season 2 Trailer

Think Beyond Talks Season 2: Trailer

We expect leaders to navigate change and to help us adapt to it. But AI puts them in a place they themselves haven’t been before, and the challenge can’t be treated as a mere technical problem. In Season 2 of Think Beyond Talks, Anne Barnea speaks with researchers, CEOs, and practitioners. Together they look beyond the fear and the hype and explore how we can find our agency in shaping what is coming. Which contributions are uniquely human at work? What should stay that way, and what should change? The first episode launches on 20 October with Professor Sverre Spoelstra. Subscribe so you don’t miss the episodes that follow.

Sep 14

From Low Energy to High Performance (with Ines Drechsler)

Why do some teams stay energized and productive under pressure, while others become resigned, disconnected, or stuck? In this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Anne Barnea speaks with Ines Drechsler about the conditions that shape performance during change — and why leaders need to look beyond targets, KPIs, and strategy to understand what is really happening within their teams. Ines introduces the concept of organizational energy and four different energy states that can emerge in teams: highly productive energy, comfortable energy, resigned energy, and corrosive energy. Together, Anne and Ines explore why resistance to change is often a natural response to uncertainty and perceived loss, how leaders can create space for people to voice concerns, and why connection, clarity, and self-awareness are essential when navigating pressure and transformation. They also discuss the difference between managing performance through numbers and creating the conditions in which people actually want to perform. In this episode, we explore:Why change can trigger resistance and fear of lossHow reframing change as advancement can shift perspectiveWhy leaders need to understand both themselves and their peopleThe role of emotional intelligence and authentic leadershipWhy pressure can trigger fight, flight, or freeze responses at workThe three conditions Ines sees as essential for performance: clarity, capability, and energyThe four organizational energy states and what they reveal about a teamHow comfortable energy can become an “inertia trap”What resigned and corrosive energy can look like in everyday team behaviorWhy team-level performance can sometimes hide individual disengagementHow leaders can diagnose what is draining energy rather than relying on quick fixes A question to take with youWhat gives you energy at work — and what drains it? And when you look at your team: are you currently operating from productive, comfortable, resigned, or corrosive energy? Understanding the answer might be the first step toward changing it.

Jun 10

From Fitting In to Thriving: Neurodiversity & Leadership (with Julia Baumann)

The way we work has changed dramatically. Yet many workplaces are still built around assumptions of what a “typical” employee looks like, thinks like, and needs to perform at their best. But what happens when people experience the world differently? In this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Julia Baumann — systemic coach, neurodiversity specialist, and Think Beyond Impact Partner — explores how leaders can create environments where different ways of thinking, processing information, and experiencing the world are not merely accommodated, but valued. Drawing on her own leadership experience in the corporate world, her personal journey through burnout and self-discovery, and her work with gifted, highly sensitive, autistic, and ADHD individuals, Julia offers a nuanced perspective on neurodiversity beyond stereotypes and labels. With warmth, honesty, and practical insight, she explains why neurodivergence is not about deficits or superpowers. Instead, it is about understanding the interaction between human potential and the environments in which people work, learn, and grow. Julia's website: https://www.juliabaumann.ch/ Julias podcast (in german): https://www.die-neurodivergenten.ch/

Apr 28

From Fixing to Empathy: Emotional Intelligence at Work (with Gia Helena Gutierrez)

Show NotesFrom Fixing to Empathy: On Emotional Intelligence and Leadership (with Gia Helena Gutierrez)What if many leadership challenges are not strategy problems — but awareness problems? In this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Anne Barnea speaks with psychologist, executive coach and Think Beyond Impact Partner Gia Helena Gutierrez about emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and why leadership starts within. Together, they explore why many capable professionals struggle not with competence, but with patterns such as perfectionism, overthinking, overcontrol, and constant overfunctioning. Gia shares why empathy is often misunderstood, why fixing is not the same as understanding, and how leaders can move from reacting automatically to responding consciously. A thoughtful conversation for anyone leading people, navigating pressure, or wanting to grow into a more mature and sustainable leadership style. In this episode, we explore:Why self-awareness is the foundation of emotional intelligenceHow perfectionism and overcontrol can limit leadershipWhy empathy is not the same as problem-solvingHow to respond instead of react under pressureThe transition from expert to leaderEmotional regulation in conflict situationsWhy modern leadership requires more than authorityPractical ways to build awareness at work Key Quote“You cannot regulate what you do not understand.”Connect with Think BeyondThink Beyond Group empowers impactful leaders of today and tomorrow through leadership development, coaching and people solutions. Listen & SubscribeFollow Think Beyond Talks on your preferred podcast platform for deep conversations for leaders who think beyond.

Mar 31

From Struggle to Strength: Grit and Motivation (with Andreas Grassberger)

What keeps us going when things get hard? In this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Andreas Grasberger shares a powerful perspective on motivation, grit, and self-leadership—drawn from a career that spans military intelligence, finance, sports, and entrepreneurship. His journey is anything but conventional, yet one question has guided him throughout: How do we stay motivated when the path gets difficult? Through personal stories and practical frameworks, Andreas explains why motivation is not something we wait for—but something we actively create. From early lessons in the military to insights from sports and coaching, he shows how small, intentional actions can rebuild momentum and how leaders can create the conditions for others to thrive. This episode is a reminder that resilience isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about focusing smarter, staying present, and learning to move between challenge and reward. What You’ll LearnThe difference between motivation and grit—and why both are essentialWhy taking action creates motivation, not the other way aroundThe concept of the “three-foot world” and focusing on what you can controlHow small wins build momentum and lead to long-term successWhy leaders can’t “motivate” people—but can create the right environmentThe role of purpose, mastery, and autonomy in sustaining motivationHow to balance growth (learning zone) and confidence (motivation zone) 🔧 Mentioned in the EpisodeDaniel Pink – Drive (purpose, mastery, autonomy)Angela Duckworth – Grit (deliberate practice and perseverance)Simon Sinek – Golden Circle (Why)Concept of the Circle of Control (Stephen Covey)The “Three-Foot World” mindset from military training 🔁 Try ThisFor the next three days, write down everything that annoys you at work. Then ask yourself: What can I do differently within my control? Instead of reacting automatically, explore one new response. You may notice your circle of influence expanding—and your energy shifting with it. Connect with UsWant to explore how to build motivation, resilience, and self-leadership in your organization? 🌐 thinkbeyondgroup.eu

Feb 24

From Gut Feeling to Clarity: Diagnostics & Enablement (with Angela Baumgartner & Kerstin Schuster)

From Gut Feeling to Clarity: Diagnostics & Enablement (with Angela & Kerstin) Every day, leaders make high-stakes people decisions — about promotions, succession, restructuring, and growth. And often, these decisions are still driven by intuition, fragmented data, or untested assumptions. But what if clarity replaced guesswork? In this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Annette sits down with Angela Baumgartner and Kerstin Schuster, leaders of the Diagnostics & Enablement division at Think Beyond, to explore how organizations can move from instinct-based decisions to evidence-based clarity. Together, they unpack: Why diagnostics is not a tool — but a strategic frameworkThe difference between reacting to business pain and preparing for future growthWhy wrong people decisions are among the most expensive mistakes organizations makeHow to connect business strategy with real talent capabilityWhat “enablement” truly means — beyond assessments and reportsHow clarity creates measurable business impact Through powerful real-life examples — from succession planning to large-scale business transformation — they demonstrate how diagnostics can become a strategic imperative rather than a discretionary HR initiative. This conversation makes one thing clear: When organizations truly see their potential, performance shifts.

Feb 3

Moving from Authority to Authenticity: Adaptive Leadership (with Shem Hatfield)

From Authority to Authenticity: Shem Hetfield on Why the Best You Makes the Best LeaderIn this episode of Think Beyond Talks, Anne Anbania speaks with Shem Hetfield, Think Beyond Impact Partner based in the US, about rethinking leadership beyond titles, hierarchy, and authority. Drawing on more than 12 years of experience in human resources, talent development, and coaching, Shem shares a deeply human perspective on leadership. His work is shaped by servant leadership, adaptive leadership, and lived experience — from leading through crisis during the pandemic to practicing leadership daily as a father of six. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: the best you makes the best leader. When leaders are grounded, self-aware, and psychologically healthy, they influence others with clarity and trust. When they are under sustained pressure, distress often shows up in how they lead. Together, Anne and Shem explore what it means to lead with authenticity in complex, uncertain environments — and why leadership today is less about having the right answers and more about how we show up for others. In this episode, you’ll exploreWhy leadership and authority are not the same — and why influence matters more than positionHow servant leadership shifts the focus from power to presence, trust, and commitmentWhy many “bad boss” behaviors are actually distress behaviorsThe importance of self-leadership and psychological health in effective leadershipHow adaptive leadership helps organizations navigate complexity and uncertaintyThe difference between technical challenges and adaptive challengesWhere AI can support leaders — and where human connection cannot be replacedHow small shifts in language can strengthen responsibility, autonomy, and trust A takeaway for leadersShem leaves listeners with a simple but practical invitation: pay attention to your language. Replacing phrases like “I need you to…” with “I would like…”, and “they made me feel…” with “I felt…” can create powerful shifts in responsibility, dignity, and psychological safety. Leadership isn’t just what we do. It’s how we speak — to others and to ourselves. 🎧 Listen to the episode Explore how authenticity, servant leadership, and adaptive leadership can help you lead with compassion, courage, and clarity. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who inspires you — and until next time, keep thinking beyond.

Think Beyond Talks

Who leads when AI optimizes? With Prof. Sverre Spoelstra

Think Beyond Talks Season 2: Trailer

From Low Energy to High Performance (with Ines Drechsler)

From Fitting In to Thriving: Neurodiversity & Leadership (with Julia Baumann)

From Fixing to Empathy: Emotional Intelligence at Work (with Gia Helena Gutierrez)

From Struggle to Strength: Grit and Motivation (with Andreas Grassberger)

From Gut Feeling to Clarity: Diagnostics & Enablement (with Angela Baumgartner & Kerstin Schuster)

Moving from Authority to Authenticity: Adaptive Leadership (with Shem Hatfield)

Trailer

Think Beyond Talks Season 2: Trailer

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Think Beyond Talks

Episodes

Who leads when AI optimizes? With Prof. Sverre Spoelstra

Think Beyond Talks Season 2: Trailer

From Low Energy to High Performance (with Ines Drechsler)

From Fitting In to Thriving: Neurodiversity & Leadership (with Julia Baumann)

From Fixing to Empathy: Emotional Intelligence at Work (with Gia Helena Gutierrez)

From Struggle to Strength: Grit and Motivation (with Andreas Grassberger)

From Gut Feeling to Clarity: Diagnostics & Enablement (with Angela Baumgartner & Kerstin Schuster)

Moving from Authority to Authenticity: Adaptive Leadership (with Shem Hatfield)

Trailer

About

Information