The Black Belt in Leadership

Lars Sundmann is an advisor, keynote speaker and executive trainer on leadership, strategy, innovation and communication for global corporations and their leaders.He is the owner of Sudmann & Company, a consulting and management training network. Lars is drawing on his business experience (e.g. as CFO Belgium of Procter & Gamble) as well as consulting expertise with Fortune500 companies to help companies achieve better business and organizational results.Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself. In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva is joined by executive advisor, keynote speaker, and TEDx veteran Lars Sudmann to dive deep into the art and discipline of self-leadership.Drawing on his experience as CFO of Procter & Gamble Belgium, advisor to global giants like Microsoft and Siemens, and as a martial arts competitor, Lars shares powerful tools and stories to help leaders navigate pressure, overcome self-doubt, and stay balanced in the chaos.You’ll learn:Why leadership often doesn’t match your expectationsHow to run a “character traits check” to uncover blind spotsWhat daily reflection and reframing can do for your clarity and composureHow to handle imposter syndrome with perspective and courageWhether you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or just stepping into your first leadership role, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.Find more from Lars at www.lars-sudmann.comTo learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

What if the secret to building great companies wasn’t about chasing unicorns, but solving your own problems first?Mikael da Costa, a serial entrepreneur, CEO of WPSEOAI, with a passion for building and scaling businesses that solve real problems. Over the years, he founded and grown multiple companies across different industries, focusing on creating impact and driving sustainable growth.In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, I sit down with serial entrepreneur and Startup Warrior author Mikael da Costa. From recruitment tech to SEO tools, Mikael has built companies not by following trends, but by fixing real problems he faced as a founder.We talk about:- Why he believes the best leaders often don’t start with a title- How promoting from within creates stronger culture and trust- The five core pillars every startup must master- What changes when you lead for the people, not the ego- And the brutal leadership lesson that shaped his current approachThis is a raw, honest conversation about leadership, culture, resilience—and why execution without energy is like a plane with no fuel.Whether you’re building your first business or scaling your fifth, Mikael’s insights will challenge how you think about entrepreneurship and leadership.To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

Dr. James Hewitt, a Human Performance Scientist with a background as a professional cyclist, shares fascinating insights into sustainable high performance. He highlights the importance of aligning daily rhythms with productivity, arguing that rest is a discipline. The discussion covers the significance of microbreaks and the neuroscience of recovery, suggesting that optimal performance relies on self-awareness and intentional breaks. Hewitt also emphasizes prioritizing sleep over exercise for long-term vitality, offering actionable strategies for modern leaders.

What if scaling a business at lightning speed didn’t require burnout, but balance?Lars Johan Bjørkevoll is a Nordic business leader who effectively balances scaling of businesses and organizational leadership with inner development and growth.With extensive experience scaling three global organizations and helping nearly 300 companies accelerate their growth through ScaleupXQ, Lars Johan brings practical insights on leadership, building high-performing teams, and creating resilient organizational cultures that thrive when "sprinting marathons".Over the past 25 years, Lars Johan has dedicated himself to eastern practices, founding the Nordic Taiji & Qigong Centre where he teaches classes, workshops, and retreats within Qigong and meditation practices. His philosophy that "ultimate freedom is established on the inside, in order to fully experience life on the outside" informs both his leadership approach and teaching practice.LJ exemplifies how scaling businesses, conscious leadership, and cultivating inner wisdom can harmoniously support one another in today's complex business landscape.In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva sits down with Nordic business leader and ScaleupXQ founder Lars Johan Bjørkevoll, a man who has helped nearly 300 companies grow fast without losing their soul. LJ brings a rare blend of high-performance leadership and deep inner wisdom, shaped by decades of practice in Qigong, Tai Chi, and eastern philosophies.Together, they unpack what it takes to scale a company when it feels like “sprinting a marathon,” how inner clarity creates external velocity, and why the secret to sustained leadership might just lie in the minutes between your meetings.You'll hear about:The mindset needed to thrive during hypergrowthHow inner “cleaning” routines fuel outward performanceWhy confidence isn’t shouting but navigating uncertainty with calmHow to train like you’ll bleed, so you’re ready when it countsIf you're a leader chasing growth, but also searching for balance, this episode will resonate deeply.Take a stance. Bow. And unlock the Black Belt in Leadership within you.To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

Dr. Oleg Konovalov is a global thought leader, bestselling author, business educator, C-suite whisperer, and the world’s top expert on visionary leadership. Named one of the Top 8 Global Leadership Experts by Thinkers50 and Global Gurus, and one of the 100 most inspirational leaders on the planetIn this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, we step into the future of leadership with one of the world’s foremost experts on visionary thinking - Dr. Oleg Konovalov. Often called the “Da Vinci of Visionary Leadership,” Dr. Oleg shares how true leaders don’t just manage the present—they build the future.Together, we explore the CAVIAR framework for crafting and sustaining a compelling vision: Clarity, Ability, Viability, Influence, Acting, and Revitalizing. Through stories from martial arts and business alike, we uncover the mindset required to break free from past success and avoid the trap of ego-driven leadership.We talk about:Why less than 0.1% of leaders have a real visionHow previous success can be your next failureVision as legacy: Why great leaders think in generationsParallels between preparing for a fight and preparing for the futureReal-world examples from WD-40, The North Face, and beyondTo learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

Salla Seppä, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Nordic Business ForumWhat does it take to create an unforgettable customer experience—and how do you train future leaders to deliver it under pressure? In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva sits down with Salla Seppä, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Nordic Business Forum, to explore the power of encounters and the art of leadership training.In the first part of the conversation, Salla and Aslak dive into the impact of interactions, using Maya Angelou’s famous quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Just like in a martial arts fight, every moment matters—mental preparation, presence, and skill shape the experience.The second half of the episode shifts to training future leaders. Salla shares her insights on developing 14 team leaders each year to manage an event organization of 250–300 students. What makes a great leader? What red flags should you watch for in leadership selection? And can you spot leadership potential early—just like identifying who will earn a black belt in martial arts?Packed with real-world examples and insights from one of the world’s top business events, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone passionate about customer experience and leadership development.Tune in now and unlock the Black Belt in Leadership!To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

Jori Pisilä, Head of Sales at Bayer Consumer Healt in Finland, 4th degree black belt in Boreal Han Moo DoWhat do martial arts and leadership have in common? Effortlessness, adaptability, and precision. In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, I sit down with Jori Pisilä—Head of Sales at Bayer Consumer Health and a 4th-degree black belt in Boreal Han Moo Do—to explore the concept of natural movement.We discuss how flowing with, rather than forcing, movement leads to better efficiency in combat—and how the same principle applies to leadership. From achieving results with minimal effort to adapting in high-pressure situations, Jori shares insights from both the dojo and the business world.Tune in to discover how mastering natural movement can elevate both your martial arts practice and leadership approach.To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva sits down with Claus Raasted—a creative powerhouse who has authored 46 books, organized over 1,000 events, and delivered 100 keynotes in just 100 days. Together, they dive into the art of getting things done in a world where action is the ultimate advantage.From making tough decisions to embracing experimentation, Claus shares his philosophy on building a bias for action, overcoming perfectionism, and staying inspired in the face of uncertainty. Along the way, they explore why failure is a stepping stone to success, how leaders can balance feedback and cheerleading, and the surprising power of recharging between sprints of productivity.Whether you’re a leader striving to take bold action or simply looking to get more done, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you unlock your black belt in leadership. Tune in and take your first step toward making things happen today.Claus Raasted has worked with designing extraordinary experiences for almost a quarter of a century. Today, he serves as the Director for The College of Extraordinary Experiences, is a Coach at McKinsey & Company, and hosts the podcast ”The Business of Extraordinary Experiences”. He is also a prolific author, with 30 books to his name, and has just finished ”The Innovation Cycle”. Raasted also has a past in reality TV, but these days, who hasn’t?To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva and AI expert Edgar Perez delve into why artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape, much like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu revolutionized MMA. BJJ became essential for success because it introduced a completely new dimension to the fight, forcing athletes to adapt or lose. Similarly, AI is changing the game for businesses, requiring leaders to learn and apply these new tools to remain competitive. Tune in to uncover the strategies, mindset, and techniques needed to harness the power of AI and unlock your black belt in leadership.  Edgar Perez is an American-Peruvian business author, keynote speaker and corporate trainer who has spoken at a number of academic and professional institutions. He is the author of The Speed Traders and Knightmare on Wall Street, and has been interviewed internationally on the topics of artificial intelligence and deep learning, quantum computing, cybersecurity and high-frequency trading. To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, we sit down with Guðrún Snorradóttir, an executive coach with a background in applied positive psychology and a passion for future-focused leadership. Drawing parallels between martial arts and leadership, we explore topics like building resilience under pressure, mastering emotional intelligence, leveraging strengths, and developing perseverance in the face of challenges. Guðrún shares actionable insights and coaching techniques to help leaders empower their teams, navigate stress, and unlock their potential. Whether you're in the boardroom or on the mat, this episode will inspire you to lead with strength and focus.Gudrun Snorradottir is one of the most sought-after executive leadershipcoaches in Iceland. She has created a unique set of relatable and practicalstrategies for leaders. That she has done by combining more than a decadeof senior leadership experience with her passion for cutting-edge researchin positive and organisational psychology.Her foundation is built on a PCC executive coach degree from theInternational Coaching Federation, Master of Applied Positive Psychologyfrom Anglia Ruskin in Cambrige. She is also I certificated team coach andhas a diploma in Emotional Intelligence from the Langley Group.Gudrun is an executive coach, a leadership consultant and a motivationalspeaker. She is the founder and CEO of her own company, Human Leader.To learn more, visit:https://www.selflystore.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/