Leadership & Brand Strategy podcast rooted in The CARE Principles for navigating change.
In this episode, Anja Stas is the CCO of the ANTWERP ZOO FOUNDATION. She is also a passionate speaker, an award winning International Marketer and Author. She is a firm believer of nature as medicine to keep people inspired.
A passionate talk about CARE, Leadership Development, Organizational Culture, Brand Transformation and the need for spirituality in our lives.
Anja shares how she keeps grounded through websites like https://ground.news/
Check out and make sure to visit the Antwerp Zoo foundation, more info here: https://www.antwerpzoofoundation.com/en/
Looking for help or inspiration for your brand transformation, leadership development or change management? Check out thecareprinciples.com and see how we can help you! Take care folks, cheers! Isabel
If you think business will get easier next year—think again.
Struggling to get teams to collaborate better? Want to build a culture of trust? Ready to create smarter brands and products people actually connect with?
Let’s talk.
Scan the QR code, book a meeting, and tell me your challenge.
I’ll help you as your strategic partner for People and Brands in transition.
Take care, Isabel
https://thecareprinciples.com/
In this last episode of 2025, Isabel talks with Professor Alain-Laurent Verbeke, Full Professor of Private Law, Negotiation & Mediation.
A conversation about the essential role of care, trust, and long-term value creation in family businesses and entrepreneurial leadership.
Alain-Laurent explains that family enterprises perform best when they look beyond financial outcomes and invest deliberately in people, culture, and continuity across generations.
The conversation highlights how today’s leaders need more empathy, transparency, and strategic care — not as soft skills, but as drivers of resilience, stability, and innovation.
Together, Isabel and Alain-Laurent show that sustainable growth emerges when leaders slow down, listen deeply, and build genuine connection with both their organizations and the broader ecosystem around them.
The CARE Principles is a strategic framework for People and Brands in transition. Check out thecareprinciples.com and see how we can help you.
Read more about Professor Alain-Laurent Verbeke here: https://www.law.kuleuven.be/fvr/nl/pdf/cvALV
About to upload the last episode of 2025! A moment to stand still with all the amazing guests I received this year!
A moment as well to ask you to follow and share my podcast, because more people can learn how to grow in the transitions they are facing.
In today's business world in which every organization is in the midst of a transition it is crucial to learn how to show Empathy, understand what makes you Reliable, become Agile to fully invest into a productive Collaboration.
That is what the CARE Principles stand for, a strategic framework for People and Brands in transition.
Need help? Check out thecareprinciples.com and see how we can help you!
Soukaina vindt dat over loon praten net zo normaal zou moeten zijn als over ambities praten. Ze helpt organisaties om een beloningsbeleid uit te bouwen dat eerlijk, helder en motiverend is.
Een open gesprek over hoe waardering of care voor werknemers niet altijd gelinkt hoeft te zijn aan geld.
Hoe geef je je team een toekomst en groei perspectief, naast een correct loon?
Hoe creëer je een HR-strategie die inspeelt op werknemersbehoeften en dat vooruit loopt op de aankomende EU-wetgeving?
Soukaina inspireert en motiveert bedrijven om de 'care' voor werknemers op een volgend niveau te pakken.
Isabel Verstraete helpt mensen en bedrijven in transitie met een helder en performant strategisch CARE-framework. Interesse om te zien hoe de CARE Principles jou kunnen helpen? Check https://thecareprinciples.com/
Op zoek naar een fair en transparant loonbeleid, surf naar https://www.compinsight.be/ en zie hoe Soukaina jou kan verder helpen.
In this episode of the CARE Principles Podcast, Professor Henry Robben (Marketing Strategy, Nyenrode University) shares the sabbatical insight that flipped his outlook—from seeing obstacles to spotting opportunities, even in a grim world.
We dig into purpose-driven leadership, why empathy beats efficiency, how to think beyond dashboards, and the simple daily choice that sets the tone for your life and your business.
Henry shares funny stories, from guest lectures to call centre fails, gives practical advice for customer-centric growth, and marketeers.
He also has a refreshingly human take on AI, strategy, and career longevity.
If you lead teams, build brands, or just want your next year to be better than your last, this conversation will help become more aware on how change starts from within.
The CARE Principles is a strategic framework that helps People and Brands in transition. Don’t just manage change—lead it. Learn how at careprinciples.com.
Learn more about Henry Robben, his books and consultancy work at: https://henryrobben.com/
PS: in the end Henry talks about the 3 Greek G's: Health, happiness and cosyness. In Dutch: De drie Griekse G's zijn gezondheid, geluk en gezelligheid ("Χρόνια πολλά με υγεία, χαρά και αγάπη" (Chrónia pollá me ygeía, chará kai agápi), wat betekent "Nog vele jaren met gezondheid, vreugde en liefde"
Omarcity gecreëerd in 2018, is een design platform met duurzame merken van over de hele wereld, gebouwd door het koppel Heleen & Pieter.
Isabel interviewt Heleen over het belang van geluk in ondernemen, ondernemen als koppel met 3 kinderen, kunstenaars en designers laten samenwerken en duurzame groei. Maar ook een gesprek over het belang van waarden en leiderschap nemen.
Ontdek de fantastische merken die Omarcity vertegenwoordigd:
https://omarcity.world/
Meer weten over Leiderschap met CARE? Bouw betere teams, sterkere merken en producten waar mensen zich mee verbonden voelen. Kijk dan zeker op https://thecareprinciples.com/ en zie hoe we je kunnen helpen.
De Kringwinkel geeft een nieuwe toekomst aan mensen en voorwerpen. Ze zijn 1 van de grootste sociale werkgevers in Vlaanderen en verwerken met hun 131 winkels meer dan 84.000 ton goederen jaarlijks.
Wat zijn de uitdagingen voor de Kringwinkel? Hoe kunnen wij als consument de circulaire economie helpen? Waarom is balans het sleutelwoord in Lander's leven?
Dit en veel meer in een nieuwe aflevering van de CARE Principles Podcast.
De CARE Principles is een leiderschapsmodel dat je helpt om sterkere culturen op te bouwen, slimmere merken te creëren en producten te ontwikkelen waar mensen écht een connectie mee voelen.
Voor meer info, een keynote, workshop of strategisch leiderschapsadvies: https://thecareprinciples.com/
https://www.kringwinkel.be/
Interesse in de problematiek van de kledingberg? Check dan zeker deze reportage:
https://youtu.be/MdaP0HnzGuo?si=ywrRSLkmRg63ULTx
Iman Lamrani is a strategic talent partner of tech start & scale-ups. She believes that talent, coached properly, are the cornerstone of any successful business.
Iman is a great supporter of the CARE Leadership framework, and Isabel interviews her about working with different generations, talent from diverse backgrounds, and what it takes for anyone to get a seat at the table.
An inspiring talk about the influence of A.I. on Human Resources Strategies, Gen Z at work, and the shifting perspectives on work.
Check out https://thecareprinciples.com, a leadership framework that helps you build stronger cultures, smarter brands, and products people actually connect with.
Work with Iman and discover her amazing talented A-team at https://www.eximium.io
Jim Lippens is a Consultant on HR Strategy & Future of Business & Founder & CEO 4D Lean & 7 Generations.
Jim & Isabel talk about why so many get burned out at work, and why Gen Z is reshaping the work culture.
A talk about the importance of care, of learning new leadership skills and the tools to learn this.
Learn more about how the CARE Principles can help organizations transform to perform: https://thecareprinciples.com/
Get more info on Jim Lippens:
https://4dlean.com/https://7generations.world/
https://happinessatworkexperience.com/
Starting a new season of my podcast and curious which caring leaders you would love to hear here? Do you know organizations who have an amazing culture? Do you know bosses who really care for their employees in a genuine way? It can be examples of big or small companies, I want to hear and share these authentic stories with you! I interview in Dutch, English and French, so please help me find and share the stories of great and caring leadership! Simply reply here, or DM me on: hello@thecareprinciples.com.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
take care,
Isabel
Wrapping up the year with a powerful episode!
Dutch Purpose Coach Mette Visser joins us to share why the CARE Principles are a game-changer for leaders, and how a strong Purpose can drive your business to new heights.
Don’t miss it!
Need help with your leadership skills? Simply reach out to me on thecareprinciples.com and tell me how I can help you grow your organization with Purpose, Care, and Clarity!
I was so touched again folks by my Spotify Wrapped! I honestly am not paying close attention to my podcast stats, so it always comes as a surprise!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
It is beyond my wildest dreams that my podcast is aired in 53 countries, I kid you not!
Enjoy the end of the year festivities, folks, where ever you live, and stay tuned for the last episode of this year. I'll air it on December 26th!
Take care,
Isabel
Gerrit Sarens is the co-CEO of Ambits, a leadership mentoring firm.
Needless to say, I wanted to get his insight on the CARE Principles 20-step Leadership Guide.
Need help in your organization. Transform and perform with the CARE Principles, check how I can help you!
https://thecareprinciples.com/
PS: When the podcast was recorded earlier this year, my latest book on this 20-step Leadership model, was not published yet. Meanwhile, it is!
You can order the book now on:
I’ll admit it — I was nervous.
Meeting an ambassador for the first time in my life was a big deal, and the honour wasn’t lost on me. In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Katja Nordgaard, Ambassador at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, based in Copenhagen/Denmark.
What followed was an enlightening conversation about the CARE Principles — Collaboration, Agility, Reliability, and Empathy — and why the world needs more leaders who embrace them.
We explored how these principles intersect with diplomacy, and how they can shape global policies.
Join me as we unpack what CARE really means on the international stage and why a shift in leadership is more important than ever.
Does your organization struggle with adapting the leadership style to new demands?
Challenge me and let me know how I can help you transform and grow your organization with CARE, clarity and purpose.
https://thecareprinciples.com/
River Cleanup is a global network organization on a mission to clean rivers by empowering people, preventing pollution, and accelerating change. And it started completely by accident.
Listen to Thomas, a fascinating leader who leads the sustainability revolution with a clear vision and purpose.
Do you want to make a difference and support River Cleanup?
Please make a donation and help Thomas clean those rivers!
https://www.river-cleanup.org/en/donate
Deo is the CEO at the British Chambers of Commerce in Denmark, whom I met by chance.
I was invited to a private event of a Danish Association that connects Professionals of Colour in Denmark. They celebrated Deo's new professional role, and I was touched by his honest and vulnerable speech.
I asked him there and then to be the guest of my podcast and listening back to it, I find it one of the most refreshing interviews of this season as Deo talks from his heart and who he is as a private person, and not responds from what people expect from him as a professional.
A talk about self-care and the 4 CARE Principles: Collaboration, Agility, Reliability and Empathy and what leadership traits this demands from people.
Anouk Lagae is a passionate, and visionary entrepreneur with a broad international experience - striving to make this world a better and more balanced place.
She already was a guest in this podcast, when she was the CEO of Accent Group. I invited her back as she co-founded her own brand, MUCHIN!
MUCHIN offers nature’s wisdom and care in the most convenient way, with nurturing products and expert guidance to enable you to maintain and restore a healthy balance in our modern madness.
So, whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned executive, or someone passionate about the dynamics of business, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons and inspiring stories on how to take better care of yourself, others and the planet!
Curious about the CARE Principles?
Order my 2 books here: https://www.lannoocampus.be/nl/search-results?search_api_views_fulltext=isabel+verstraete&field_categories_lannoocampus_be=All&sort_by=search_api_relevance
Book me as a keynote speaker or invite me to your strategic offsites, I'll bring fresh insights on why you should care if you want to grow your organization in a caring and sustainable way.
For all bookings: https://www.speakersbase.com/speakers/isabel-verstraete
If you have already made the decision, you really do care and want to work directly with me, reach out to me on hello@thecareprinciples.com for a tailor-made offer on how I can help you grow your organization with purpose, care and clarity. More info on MUCHIN can be found here: https://muchin.eu/
I kid you not, it is possible to grow an organization simply by taking CARE!,
You can learn how with the CARE Principles!
Why should you care?
Running an organization today is tougher than ever. The pressures of rapid change, leadership challenges, and keeping top talent, can leave you feeling stuck.
The CARE Principles offer a practical and no-nonsense framework to help you navigate these complexities with purpose, care and clarity.
Are you ready to lead with CARE?
You can order my books now. My 2 books are full of research, cases, exercises to learn why and how you can apply the CARE Principles.
https://www.lannoocampus.be/nl/search-results?search_api_views_fulltext=isabel+verstraete&field_categories_lannoocampus_be=All&sort_by=search_api_relevance
Don’t fancy reading?
Great, you are already listening to the CARE Principles podcast! Over 90 episodes are already online, and more are coming! Amazing leaders from diverse countries and industries share how they take better care of people and the planet, and how this helps them thrive.
No time to listen?
Book me as a keynote speaker on your event, or invite me to your strategic offsite, or talk to your management and see if they are open to CARE!
I’ll come and give it my utmost to explain it to the highest people in ranking in your organization why and how diverse and multigenerational teams seek engagement and are willing to give you their talent of you respect theirs.
Book me here for a keynote: https://www.speakersbase.com/speakers/isabel-verstraete
If all the previous is not working for you, you can reach out to me and I can help your organization transform into a caring and sustainable future-fit version.
I'll make you a tailor-made offer: hello@thecareprinciples.com.
Thank you and take care,
Isabel
In this episode, we sit down with Morten Lee Lundholm, a leader in Energy Transition, Innovation & Product Enablement at A.P. Moller - Maersk. Morten’s career and leadership approach are deeply shaped by his time at renowned companies like IKEA, LEGO, and IDEO.
Tune in as Morten shares his personal journey, from discovering the unexpected benefits of running to learning the foundations of leadership on the football team of his son. Plus, he offers insights on how embracing curiosity can fuel lifelong learning and growth in both personal and professional life.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
Running an organization today is tougher than ever, but the CARE Principles offer a practical framework to help you navigate these challenges with care and clarity.
Curious to learn more?
Check out thecareprinciples.com and see how I can help you rebalance your organization and unlock sustainable growth for yourself, your people, and the planet.