The Black Belt in Leadership

About The Black Belt in Leadership

Welcome to The Black Belt in Leadership Podcast, hosted by Aslak de Silva. Tune in to discover how martial arts principles like discipline, resilience, and continuous learning can transform your leadership skills. Each episode will delve into real-life examples, practical advice, and inspirational stories to help you become a black belt in leadership. Join Aslak as he explores the path to peak performance and success in both personal and professional arenas.

Publisher

Aslak de Silva

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Jul 2024

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

40 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Oct 2026

   How AI Is Changing Negotiation: Preparation, Power and the Human Edge with Sami Miettinen

   AI is changing what it means to be prepared. In this episode, I sit down with investment banker, negotiation expert and AI enthusiast Sami Miettinen to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way leaders prepare, negotiate and make decisions. We discuss how AI can act as a sparring partner before an important negotiation, why having more information does not necessarily mean you are better prepared, and how traditional sources of negotiation power are changing when both sides have access to powerful AI tools. Sami also introduces his four dimensions of negotiation: power, analytics, social interaction and principles, and we explore which of these AI can strengthen and where human judgment still matters. We also get into some harder questions: Can AI make us overconfident? Are professional negotiators losing part of their traditional advantage? Who controls the story when AI writes the meeting notes? And if AI handles more of the analysis and preparation, what becomes the new human edge? A practical and provocative conversation about AI, negotiation and how leaders need to prepare differently now. About Sami Miettinen Sami Miettinen is an investment banker, negotiation expert, author and podcast host with more than two decades of experience in corporate finance, transactions and high-stakes negotiations. He works at Translink Corporate Finance, helping companies with acquisitions, sales, financing and ownership changes. He is also the host of Neuvottelija, one of Finland’s best-known business podcasts. To learn more, visit: https://www.theblackbeltinleadership.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

2. 

   22 Sept 2026

   When Healthy Habits Aren’t Enough: Stress, Personal Change and Leadership with Mika Tikkala

   What happens when you improve your sleep, exercise, and eating habits but still feel exhausted by work? In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, I speak with Finnish entrepreneur and performance coach Mika Tikkala about his experience of burnout, taking time away from business, and making personal changes that last. Mika shares why healthier habits alone did not resolve how he was feeling while his work stress remained high. We explore what his sabbaticals taught him about recovery and how his surroundings influenced his energy, creativity, and ability to maintain new routines. Our conversation connects these experiences to leadership: listening to your team, creating a supportive working environment, and becoming more present with the people you lead. Mika also explains how he introduced changes gradually and why an occasional missed workout or piece of cake does not mean you have failed. In this episode, we cover: - Recognizing when you need a deeper change rather than a short break. Entrepreneurial stress, burnout, and learning how to recover. How physical surroundings affect focus and daily habits Building a morning routine and making small changes sustainable. How a leader’s well-being influences communication and presence. Continuing your progress when old habits return. Hosted by Aslak de Silva, former world champion martial artist, former CEO, and author of The Black Belt in Leadership. Connect with Mika Tikkala Mika welcomes connections and conversations with founders and leaders around the world. LinkedIn: Mika Tikkala Website: mikatikkala.com To learn more, visit: https://www.theblackbeltinleadership.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   How to Build an AI-Driven Company Through Learning by Doing with Marjut Sadeharju

   Most companies are investing in AI training, but knowing what AI can do is very different from being able to use it effectively in real work. So how should leaders build genuine AI capability across an organization? In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva speaks with Marjut Sadeharju, CEO of Splended, about how people actually develop AI skills and why traditional “show and tell” training is often not enough. Drawing on her background in teaching, learning and business leadership, Marjut explains why AI competence needs to be built through practice, experimentation, repetition and real workplace challenges. They explore what leaders need to understand about AI skills development, cognitive learning, AI upskilling and building an AI-driven company. The conversation covers how to measure whether AI training has created real competence, why organizations should avoid creating a small group of AI experts while everyone else falls behind, and how leaders can create a culture where people feel safe to experiment while still being expected to develop new capabilities. The discussion also looks at AI as a learning partner itself, the risk of outsourcing too much of our thinking, and how leaders can balance productivity with critical thinking and subject-matter expertise. And, as always, there is a martial arts connection: a black belt needs skilled sparring partners to continue developing. Could the same be true for leaders? If you want to build an AI-driven organization, perhaps your own AI capability is not enough. You also need to raise the level of the people around you. Topics include: AI leadership, AI skills development, AI upskilling, learning by doing, cognitive learning, workplace learning, AI-driven organizations, organizational culture, AI training, leadership development and the future of work. About Marjut Sadeharju Marjut Sadeharju is the CEO of Splended, with a long background in education, teaching, learning and development. She combines pedagogical expertise with business leadership, focusing especially on how people build real AI capabilities through learning by doing. Marjut is also a founding advisor and pedagogical advisor at TAIMI, which develops personalized learning with an AI tutor. More about Marjut at: Website: https://splended.fi/en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marjut-sadeharju To learn more, visit: https://www.theblackbeltinleadership.com/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/aslak-de-silva/

Who has been a guest on The Black Belt in Leadership

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lars Sudmann
• Mikael da Costa
• Gudrun Snorradottir

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

658,476

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

3.7 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

8 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

31

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

32

Contact The Black Belt in Leadership

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.