The Global Business Insights Podcast with Dr Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent
The Global Business Insights Podcast with Dr Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent.Each week we will be publishing our new interviews featuring experts, thought leaders and global specialists giving their insights and knowledge on the business topics and subjects they work in.Series 10, 11 and 12 will focus on working with the worlds most insightful technical procurement and supply chain experts, entrepreneurs and leaders.
The Five Questions That Separate AI Value from AI Hype | Rob Hemel, ETS | Tech Procurement Leaders
Everyone says their supply chain is digitally mature. Rob Hemel has a five-question test that says otherwise.
Opening our six-part arc on the Supply Chain of the Future, Rob Hemel — Manager of Global Sourcing Contracts at ETS — gives Charlotte de Brabandt and Burkard Schemmel the unvarnished view of where digital transformation really stands in procurement and supply chain.
His case is that digital maturity has entered a second phase. The first was implementing systems; the second is connecting data, embedding AI and enabling predictive decision-making. Most organisations have digitised their processes without ever building an inte...
Leadership for the Next Generation of Supply Chain | Saket Sankhla | Tech Procurement Leaders
Technology is moving fast — but someone still has to lead through it.
In Episode 2 of the Global Business Insight Podcast, we come back down from space to talk about the people behind the transformation.
Max Kent is joined by co-hosts Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt (Digital Futurist) and Dr. Burkard F. M. Schemmel to interview Saket Sankhla, Business Transformation, Supply Chain and Technology expert, on what the next generation of supply chain leadership actually needs.
In this episode:
• Which leadership traits matter more now than five years ago
• How to build...
Supply Chains in Space: The Next Frontier | John Callison | Tech Procurement Leaders
In this episode of the Global Business Insight Podcast, we explore why space is rapidly becoming the next major supply chain frontier.
Our guest, John Callison, discusses:
• Why in-orbit manufacturing and logistics are no longer science fiction
• The unique challenges of procurement and logistics beyond Earth
• How traditional supply chain principles apply (and break down) in zero gravity
• What businesses need to understand about the emerging space economy
• The regulatory, cost and operational realities of space-based supply chains
Interviewed by Charlotte de Brabandt and Burkard Schemmel...
Why Shouting at the System Never Fixes It | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
🎙 Episode 10: Don't Shout at the System – The Philosophy of Tending
Why does shouting at your system never work — and what does?
In the final episode of Series 9, Max explores the core philosophy behind the entire season: the shift from forcing outcomes to creating the conditions that allow them to emerge naturally.
Most leaders respond to pressure by increasing pressure. When performance drops, they add more meetings, more rules, more urgency. When teams struggle, they push harder. But pressure doesn't expand capacity — it shrinks it. Under constant urgency, people narrow their focus, stop taking risks, an...
A Model for Sustainable Change, One Patch at a Time | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
🎙 Episode 9: One Small Patch – The Core Model of Sustainable Change
The biggest transformations don't start with big plans — they start with one small patch of ground you can actually clear.
In this episode, Max explores why attempting to change everything at once usually leads to paralysis, burnout, and ultimately nothing changing at all. Instead, he introduces the concept of "one small patch" — a leadership approach that respects human capacity while still creating real momentum.
Max explains how micro order creates macro calm inside teams. When you fix one workflow, simplify one approval chain, or clear...
When Growth Gets Out of Hand | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
Every active organisation accumulates weeds — unnecessary tasks, outdated processes, small dysfunctions that appear without permission. The question isn't whether you'll have them. It's whether you'll manage them before they take over.
In this episode, Max & Charlotte explore the difference between inevitable organisational mess and patterns that genuinely threaten system health. Not all weeds are equally dangerous — and not all "unplanned growth" is actually a problem.
Max introduces four categories of weeds: harmless (small annoyances that don't affect outcomes), thirsty (tasks or people consuming attention without giving value back), warning (repeated errors signalling deeper issues), and inva...
How to Cut Back Without Damaging the Team | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
Most organisations are drowning under commitments made for a different reality — and nobody has permission to let go.
In this episode, Max & Charlotte explore "pruning" as a core leadership practice: the deliberate, strategic ending of work, projects, promises and emotional narratives that no longer serve where the organisation is heading. While most leaders are rewarded for adding — more features, more markets, more initiatives — few are trained in the art of intelligent reduction.
Max explains why pruning isn't about harshness or failure — it's an act of protection. When you don't actively prune, old obligations quietly drain energy f...
Where Leaders Should Spend Their Attention | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
What gets your attention gets your energy — and what gets your energy grows.
In this episode, Max & Charlotte explore the idea of “watering” as a leadership practice: where you direct your time, focus and attention determines what actually develops inside your organisation. While many leaders say they value strategy, development and long-term improvement, the reality is often very different — most energy ends up being poured into urgent issues, reactive conversations and short-term pressure cycles.
Max explains how this pattern trains organisations to produce more of what they feed. If you consistently water crisis, you grow crisis...
Why You Can't Grow All the Time | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
Episode 5: Light & Shade – Creating the Right Environment
Not everyone thrives under the same conditions. Some people perform best in the spotlight, while others do their finest work with quieter autonomy and trust. In this episode, Max explores why "full sun cultures" — those demanding constant visibility, instant responses, and relentless hustle — ultimately burn people out and narrow the talent pool. He introduces the distinction between warmth (clarity, encouragement, presence) and heat (pressure, volatility, urgency), and explains how leaders can provide the right balance of light and shade to unlock psychological safety and sustainable high performance. You'll learn how to spo...
The Foundations a Business Needs Before It Can Grow | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
In this episode we explore more of the key concepts taken from 'Don't Shout at the Vegetables' - Lessons in Sustainable Leadership & Human Growth:
Getting the Right Soil - what are the foundations and conditions for real growth in business?
Tidy House, Tidy Mind - how do the mundane, overlooked basics actually set you up for success?
Creating the Conditions - before we plant, before we scale, what needs to be in place?
Charlotte and Max discuss why leaders often skip the preparation phase, rushing to plant before the soil is...
Knowing What Season Your Business Is In | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
In this episode we explore more of the key concepts taken from 'Don't Shout at the Vegetables' - Lessons in Sustainable Leadership & Human Growth:
Overgrowth - what does this mean in business? How do we control it?Pruning - we all get what this means in a garden sense but in business? Seasons - We build seasonality into our sales figures but how do we know what season we are in across our business?Charlotte and Max discuss these key concepts further to bring to life just how much truth their is in the garden to business...
When Pushing Harder Stops Working | Don't Shout at the Vegetables Book Launch Series
There’s a moment in burnout that rarely looks dramatic.
You’re not collapsing. You’re not quitting. You’re just shouting at the spinach.
In this first episode of our brand new series supporting the launch of Don't Shout at the Vegetables - Lessons in Sustainable Leadership & Human Growth, Charlotte and Max talk about the point where everything starts to feel too loud — not because one thing is wrong, but because the whole system has been pushed past capacity.
We explore why leaders often respond to overwhelm by tightening their grip, why that makes...
How Leadership Changes When the Business Runs Itself | The Leadership Hyper Series
How is leadership changing as organisations become more data‑driven, automated, and operationally autonomous?
In this episode, Max is joined by Charlotte to explore the evolving role of leaders in enterprises where systems increasingly execute, decide, and scale without direct human intervention.
Together, they unpack:
Why leaders are shifting from operators to architects — shaping systems rather than micromanaging themWhich decisions must remain human (purpose, ethics, trade-offs) — and why data alone can't answer themHow authority is changing: from opinion‑based to evidence‑informed, but still requiring human interpretationThe critical skills leaders need in autonomous environments: systems th...How to Keep Talent in a Fast-Moving Business | The Hyper Leadership Series
Why is attracting and retaining top talent harder than ever — especially in fast‑moving, high‑pressure organisations?
In this episode, Max is joined by Charlotte to explore how leadership expectations have fundamentally shifted. Today’s high performers aren’t optimising for stability alone — they’re looking for meaning, autonomy, growth, and environments where they can thrive without burning out.
Together, they unpack:
Why traditional retention strategies are no longer enoughWhat high‑performing employees actually expect from leadersHow speed without recovery drives burnout — and what to do insteadThe leadership behaviours that build trust, loyalty, and psychological safe...Ethics and Responsibility in Tech-Driven Organisations | The Hyper Leadership Series
Episode 8: Ethics and Responsibility in Technology‑Driven Organisations
Technology doesn’t just change how organisations operate — it changes the scale and speed of leadership responsibility.
In this episode, Max Kent is joined by Dr Charlotte de Brabandt to explore why ethics has become one of the most pressing leadership challenges in technology‑driven organisations — particularly in the age of AI, automation, and data‑driven decision‑making.
As digital systems increasingly shape outcomes at scale, ethical responsibility can no longer sit in compliance teams or policy documents. It has moved firmly into the centre of leadership...
Leading Without Formal Authority | The Hyper Leadership Series
Episode 7: Leadership Beyond Hierarchy and Formal Authority
Hierarchy isn’t disappearing — but it’s no longer enough.
In this episode, Max Kent is joined by Dr Charlotte de Brabandt to explore what leadership really looks like in modern, complex organisations where influence no longer flows neatly through reporting lines.
As organisations become faster, flatter, and more networked, leaders can’t rely on positional power alone. Commitment, innovation, and momentum increasingly come from credibility, clarity, and the ability to make sense of complexity.
Together, Max and Charlotte unpack:
Why hierarchy still matters...Building Trust and Accountability in a Team | The Hyper Leadership Series
Episode 6: Trust, Transparency, and Radical Accountability
Trust has never been under more pressure — and most organisations are responding in exactly the wrong way.
In this episode of the Hyper Leadership series, Max and Charlotte explore why trust has become so fragile in modern organisations, and what leaders must do differently if they want to rebuild it.
They unpack:
why trust is no longer granted by title or reputation, but continuously assessed through behaviourwhat radical accountability really means in practice — and why owning mistakes openly builds credibility rather than weaknesshow to think about tran...Adaptable Leadership | The Hyper Leadership Series
EPISODE 5 – Adaptable Leadership in Complex, AI‑Driven Environments
Why leaders who adapt their thinking — not just their tools — will outperform everyone else.
In Episode 5, Max Kent and Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt explore what adaptable leadership really means in today’s complex, fast‑moving, AI‑enabled environments.
As AI enters decision‑making, analysis, and day‑to‑day leadership work, the question is no longer whether leaders should use AI — but how they adapt their judgment, thinking, and responsibility when complexity increases.
Drawing on the Hyper Leadership model, this episode reframes AI not as a replacement for l...
Cognitive Overload and Executive Resilience | The Hyper Leadership Series
Hyper Leadership – Series 8, Episode 4
Cognitive Overload and Executive Resilience
Cognitive overload is no longer an individual wellbeing issue — it is a systemic leadership risk.
In this episode of Hyper Leadership, Max Kent and Charlotte explore how constant information flow, role ambiguity, and perpetual availability are overwhelming today’s senior leaders — and why this state is being normalised inside organisations.
The conversation examines:
Why cognitive overload degrades decision quality, empathy, and trustThe difference between endurance and true executive resilienceHow leadership cultures mistakenly reward overload rather than redesigning itWhy managing cognitive load is a lea...How Leaders Should Work Alongside AI | The Hyper Leadership Series
EPISODE 3 – Human–AI Collaboration in Leadership
Why AI won’t replace leaders — but will expose weak ones.
Description (final, polished):
In Episode 3, Max Kent and Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt explore one of the biggest leadership questions of the decade: How should leaders work with AI — as a tool, a partner, or a threat?
Drawing from the Hyper Leadership model, we break down the real leadership opportunity in AI: using it as a cognitive collaborator that amplifies human capability without outsourcing judgment, ethics, or meaning.
In this conversation, we cover:
Why AI i...Why Your Best People Run Out of Capacity | The Hyper Leadership Series
Episode 2 — The Limits of Human Capacity (Global Business Insights Podcast — Hyper Leadership Series)
In this episode, Max and Charlotte dive into one of the biggest, most misunderstood challenges in modern leadership: the human brain was never designed for the world leaders are now expected to operate in.
We explore:
why today’s workload massively exceeds human cognitive bandwidththe biological constraints leaders are silently fighting againsthow context-switching destroys clarity and decision qualitywhy burnout is a structural issue, not a personal failingthe difference between “resilience” and actual capacityhow emotional load, digital noise, hybrid work and constant communicat...The Limits of Human Capacity (Hyper Leadership, Ep. 2)
Episode 2 — The Limits of Human Capacity (Global Business Insights Podcast — Hyper Leadership Series)
In this episode, Max and Charlotte dive into one of the biggest, most misunderstood challenges in modern leadership: the human brain was never designed for the world leaders are now expected to operate in.
We explore:
why today’s workload massively exceeds human cognitive bandwidththe biological constraints leaders are silently fighting againsthow context-switching destroys clarity and decision qualitywhy burnout is a structural issue, not a personal failingthe difference between “resilience” and actual capacityhow emotional load, digital noise, hybrid work and constant communicat...Conditions Before Pressure | The Hyper Leadership Series
In this first Hyper Leadership episode of Series 8, Max Kent and Dr Charlotte de Brabandt explore why leaders often default to pressure — and why real growth depends on the conditions you create, not the force you apply.
Drawing from Max’s new book Don’t Shout at the Vegetables, they unpack:
why teams react the way they dowhat leaders can influence (and what they can’t)the environments that allow people to perform at their besthow calm leadership beats pressure-driven managementwhat AP, Finance and Procurement teams need to grow sustainablyA grounding conversation for anyone leading...
Series 8 - Hyper Leadership Part 1
Episode 1 — Conditions Before Pressure
In the first episode of Hyper Leadership, Max explores one of the core ideas from his new book Don’t Shout at the Vegetables: growth doesn’t happen because of pressure — it happens because of conditions.
We break down why so many leaders default to pushing harder, shouting louder, or trying to force outcomes… and why those approaches backfire. Instead, we explore the patterns, environments and behaviours that actually help teams grow — especially in AP, Finance and operational environments.
If you’re a leader who wants more clarity and less chaos, th...
Turning Ethical AI into Business Revenue | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
In this sixth installment of series 7 of the Global Business Insights Podcast, Dr. Milan Kumar, Dr.Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent discuss Ethical Ai using the framework Kumar-deBrabandt ethical Ai model - this episode focuses on Business Revenue and is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how to work in an ethical way with new artificial intelligence technologies in both Digital Procurement and wider business functions.
The Democratisation of AI | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
In this fourth installment of series 7 of the Global Business Insights Podcast, Dr. Milan Kumar, Dr.Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent discuss Ethical Ai using the framework Kumar-deBrabandt ethical Ai model - this episode focuses on Democratisation and is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand how to work in an ethical way with new artificial intelligence technologies in both Digital Procurement and wider business functions.
Agentic AI and Ethical Risk | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
In this fourth installment of series 7 of the Global Business Insights Podcast, Dr. Milan Kumar, Dr.Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent discuss Ethical Ai using the framework Kumar-deBrabandt ethical Ai model - this episode focuses on Agentic Ai and is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the new model of Agent based ai and how this can work for them.
Monetising AI in Procurement | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
In this third installment of series 7 of the Global Business Insights Podcast, Dr. Milan Kumar, Dr.Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent discuss Ethical Ai using the framework Kumar-deBrabandt ethical Ai model - this episode focuses on monetization in Procurement Ai and is a must-listen for any business looking to utilize the new opportunities artificial intelligence gives us when working with data, procurement projects and cost savings on a global scale.
Ethical Ai | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
Episode 2: Advancing Ethical AI in Business with Dr. Milan Kumar
In the second installment of our Ethical AI podcast series, we are joined by distinguished guest Dr. Milan Kumar, a leading expert in AI ethics, to explore the critical strategies, frameworks, and methodologies that enable the responsible integration of AI models, such as the Kumar-deBrabandt Ethical AI Model, into business and commercial environments.
Dr. Kumar provides an in-depth perspective on the importance of embedding ethical considerations into the strategic deployment of artificial intelligence tools. Through this engaging discussion, we uncover how organizations can adopt robust...
The Kumar de Brabandt Model for Ethical Ai | Dr Milan Kumar | Ethical AI Series
In this brand new series of the Global Business Insights Podcast, Max & Charlotte explore the world of Artificial Intelligence.
Taking a departure from the current narrative's that exist around the use of Ai in business, the new series takes a deeper dive into exploring the ethical use of artificial intelligence, using the newly developed 'Kumar de Brabandt' framework model for Ethical Ai.
Episode one introduces the model alongside our very special guest Dr. Milan Kumar, Chief Information Officer (CIO), ZF Commercial Vehicles. and Harvard Business School Alumni, developed in collaboration with our very own Dr...
The Global Business Insights Podcast - S6 E1 - Ross Prejean - Director of Engineering, Petsmart.
The Global Business Insights Podcast - S6 E1 - Ross Prejean - Director of Engineering, Petsmart. We begin series 6 with a new guest, Ross Prejean - Ross is a talented engineer and leader with a real passion for personal and colleague development and his highly respected in his field. This is well worth listening for any aspiring leaders looking to progress using genuine insights from a true industry professional.
Digital Engineering at Scale | Ross Prejean, Director of Engineering, Petsmart
The Global Business Insights Podcast - S6 E1 - Ross Prejean - Director of Engineering, Petsmart. We begin series 6 with a new guest, Ross Prejean - Ross is a talented engineer and leader with a real passion for personal and colleague development and his highly respected in his field. This is well worth listening for any aspiring leaders looking to progress using genuine insights from a true industry professional.
Digital Procurement and AI: What Actually Changes | Thomas Heller-Njor, CostBits
Digital Procurement & AI in 2025: A Deep Dive with Thomas Siesbaek Heller-Njor (and Beyond!)
Thomas Siesbaek Heller-Njor returns to the podcast for a deep dive into the future of procurement!
We'll explore how Digital Procurement and AI are transforming cost management in 2025 and beyond.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How digitalisation is revolutionizing procurement processes.The power of AI and software for faster, cheaper, and better procurement.Best practices for clean data and effective sourcing strategies.What the future holds for procurement in a digital world.Thomas' Expertise:
Drawing on...
What Resilience Actually Takes | Steve Judge, Two-Time World Champion Para-triathlete
Multi award winning international motivational speaker, two times author & two times world champion in para-triathlon winner Steve Judge joins Max & Charlotte on the latest installment of the Global Business Insights Podcast. Steve is an incredible human with a truly inspiring story to tell, combined with an infectious love for the human spirit and a true believer in the power of positive thought.
Joe Agresta | The Story of My Life
Supply Chain Guru & Leadership Training Expert Joe Agresta joins hosts Dr Charlotte de Brabandt & Max Kent for a hugely insightful discussion on leadership, supply chain, technology and how all this matters when looking at the world through the lens of moving a companies products from A-B (and always C - Z too!). Joe is a mine of amazing knowledge and is the Professor Director of Supply Chain Analytics at Rutgers, one of the worlds best Business Schools. Not to be missed!!
Bobby Seagull | The Story of My Life (2 of 2)
Part 2 of the amazing Bobby Seagull Life Story!
Bobby Seagull | The Story of My Life (1 of 2)
In this very special two part episode, we were delighted to be joined by TV presenter, Cambridge Doctorate, Teacher, Finance Professional & University Challenge panellist, Bobby Seagull.
Bobby brings a unique and refreshing energy to the show, taking his 'through his journey from training and working in the City of London at some of the worlds largest investment corporations to attending Cambridge University, appearing on University Challenge & Eggheads & then taking all of this into Teaching, TV presenting and many other suprising areas!
Not to be missed - look out for Part 2 coming soon!
The Future of Accounts Payable and Credit | Jamie Radford
We are thrilled to kick off our 2024 podcast series with none other than the Award-Winning Founder & CEO of the Accounts Payable Association, Jamie Radford!
Join us as we delve into the future of all things AP, Finance, and beyond.
Having the esteemed and visionary entrepreneur Jamie Radford on board means that they are invariably busy and it's hard to get them to spare any time at all, so to have Jamie spend an hour telling us all about how he started, the way he followed and how he built the Accounts Payable Association to having...
The Future of Technology in Luxury Automotive and Brand Sales | KC Shardizeh
S3 E4 - The Future of Technology in Luxury Automotive & Brand Sale. In this episode, we speak with the wonderful KC, a hugely experienced sales consultant at Ferrari New England on his thoughts on how technology will help evolve selling to individual clients, especially when viewed through the lens of luxury, high-end, and highly individualized purchases. This episode offers a very different insight into luxury automotive selling and is not to be missed!
Entering New Markets and Accelerating Growth | Matthew Sawyer
In this fascinating and highly conversational episode, Charlotte & Max meet with the incredible Matthew Sawyer. Matthew is a Professor at both Columbia & New York Universities (NYU), teaching business professionals up to master level in Strategic Communication and marketing, aligning this critical area of business with his own business, USAcellerator.biz, and his book 'Make it in America' to provide vital advice and information to any company looking to enter new markets, in particular maximizing the huge opportunity achieving successful market entry into the US brings. Having helped huge brands such as Campbells Soup, Hyundai, BiC and many other household...
