Brain Box - The Leadership Podcast

Welcome to Episode 97 of "Brain Box - The Leadership Podcast"! In this insightful conversation, host Kaushik is joined by Niven Postma, a globally recognized expert in leadership, organizational politics, and culture. Niven has held executive positions since the age of 29, including CEO of the Business Women’s Association of South Africa, and is the author of "If You Don’t Do Politics, Politics Will Do You".In this episode, Niven shares her journey from being “allergic” to office politics to becoming a leading voice on the subject. She unpacks the myths and realities of organizational politics, discusses how leaders can navigate power and influence ethically, and offers practical advice for thriving in today’s complex workplaces - including hybrid and remote environments. Whether you’re a new manager, a seasoned executive, or simply interested in understanding the hidden dynamics of organizations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples. Plus, Niven shares her thoughts on psychological safety, tough empathy, and the critical role of culture in shaping leadership success. Subscribe to our newsletter & get more valuable insights straight to your inbox: https://www.brainbox.net.in/gurukulTimestamps:00:01 – Introduction to Niven Postma00:25 – Niven’s background and leadership journey00:47 – Why focus on organizational politics?01:46 – Book, lectures, and PhD01:53 – Are there organizations without politics?02:20 – The spectrum of organizational politics03:51 – AI and the future of organizational politics04:40 – Leadership and unavoidable politics05:16 – Navigating politics ethically05:45 – Redefining office politics06:34 – Positive and negative sides of politics07:53 – Using politics as a crutch08:22 – Missed opportunities in leadership09:09 – Sponsor message09:42 – Getting things done vs. selling your soul11:11 – Adapting leadership strategies to environments13:10 – Tough empathy in leadership14:37 – Psychological safety and leadership16:24 – Sponsor message16:48 – Hybrid work and organizational politics18:24 – Advice for leaders in hybrid settings18:59 – Changing organizational culture19:54 – Final advice for navigating new organizations20:34 – Closing thoughts & outro Niven's LinkedIn course: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/navigating-organizational-politics-as-a-senior-leader/navigate-organizational-politics #Leadership #OrganizationalPolitics #NivenPostma #BrainBoxPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #OfficePolitics #CorporateCulture #HybridWork #WomenInLeadership #EthicalLeadership #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #CareerAdvice #branding #marketing #sales #outreach #salestraining #pr #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #personalbranding #officepolitics

In the season 20 premiere, the show features Manish Mohta, Managing Director of Learning Spiral, known for his extensive entrepreneurial experience. The discussion revolves around his diverse business interests in steel abrasives, thermal power generation, and AI-driven data factories. Manish shares his mission of creating scalable impact through various ventures, including Learning Spiral's focus on secure and scalable online assessments. He highlights the significance of enhancing IT infrastructure in educational institutions to provide them 'digital superpowers.' The conversation extends to the future of AI in remote proctoring, the role of big data in education, and the evolution of EdTech. Manish also shares practical examples of successful digital transformations in educational assessments, emphasizing the need for impactful and ethical EdTech practices.Timestamps:00:23 Manish Mohta's Diverse Entrepreneurial Journey01:23 The Mission Behind Learning Spiral02:39 AI and the Future of Remote Proctoring07:21 Big Data and Analytics in Education09:16 The Future of EdTech and Online Education11:21 Impact of Learning Spiral on Public Sector Education14:00 The Story Behind the Name 'Learning Spiral'14:49 Final Thoughts and Future Contributions to EdTech16:13 Conclusion

In this episode, we delve deep into the concepts of transformation with Lior Arussy, one of the world's leading customer experience and business transformation experts. Lior shares insights from his latest book, 'Dare to Author,' and discusses how shifting your mindset from victimhood to heroism can reshape your personal and professional narratives. Join us for a conversation loaded with actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert advice on sales, marketing, and thought leadership.Timestamps:01:01 Meet Lior Arussy: A Customer Experience Expert01:38 The Genesis of 'Dare to Author'03:27 The Importance of Authoring Your Life Story04:44 Understanding Victimhood and Change06:00 Cultural and Societal Influences on Victimhood07:58 Identifying and Overcoming Limiting Narratives12:04 Practical Examples of Transformation14:24 The Power of Listening and Asking Questions20:35 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways- Subscribe for more episodes on leadership, marketing, and personal growth.#Leadership #Podcast #ThoughtLeadership #branding #marketing #sales #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder #personalbranding

Join us in this riveting episode as we welcome Teresa Agovino, the first social entrepreneur on our show, who has dedicated her career to promoting sustainable tourism across the globe. Discover Teresa's inspiring journey as an environmental engineer who started her career with the United Nations, working on water treatment projects in Africa, and later expanding her efforts to South America and Asia. Learn about her philosophy on reducing environmental footprints and creating positive social impacts. Teresa also shares her experiences with various NGOs, the complexities of volunteering, and her upcoming move to India to continue her work in sustainable tourism. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone passionate about sustainability, travel, and making a difference in the world. Timestamps: 00:21 The Footprint Philosophy 01:36 Journey as an Environmental Engineer 04:23 Sustainable Tourism and the United Nations 07:16 Challenges in Volunteer Associations 12:50 The Call to India 16:12 Sustainability Certifications in Tourism 19:53 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, we host Ratna Viswanathan, the first Indian CEO of the social impact organization, Reach To Teach, funded by the Larry Ellison Foundation. Ratna shares her experience transitioning from a 21-year career in civil service to leading significant changes in the development and education sectors. She discusses the importance of community engagement, designing for scale, and fostering partnerships with government entities. Ratna emphasizes the critical role of leadership in both government and social enterprises, shares valuable insights on improving education in low-resource environments, and highlights the importance of passion, patience, and flexible policies within the social sector. With a mission to drive substantial impact, Reach2Teach has already positively affected the lives of 8.2 million students in India. Timestamps: 00:59 Ratna Viswanathan's Career Journey 03:06 Challenges and Insights in Government and Development Sectors 04:33 Focus on Education Sector and Community Building 07:27 Scaling Education Initiatives 15:30 Leadership and Management in Social Enterprises 23:47 Advice for Aspiring Social Impact Enthusiasts 26:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts