Episode 225
Released January 22, 2026
Episode Overview
In this episode, I'm joined by Maria Brinck, leadership consultant, public speaker, and author of The Leadership We Need. Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to the rainforests of Cameroon, and explains why the leadership models we've relied upon for generations are no longer fit for purpose. This is an essential conversation for any leader ready to challenge conventional thinking and create meaningful, lasting change.
About Maria Brinck
Maria Brinck is the founder of Zynergy International and a certified StrengthsFinder coach with a background that spans Swedish nature reserves, corporate boardrooms, and the Congo Basin Rainforest. Originally from Sweden, Maria spent eight years in executive sales within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry before a pivotal moment prompted her to leave it all behind. She travelled to Cameroon to work with the rehabilitation of chimpanzees and gorillas, an experience that fundamentally transformed her understanding of leadership, purpose, and what truly matters.
Key Takeaways from This Episode
Finding inner balance: Maria discusses how, despite achieving external success, she felt a profound lack of inner balance in her corporate career. Many high-achieving professionals can relate to this sense that something essential is missing, even when the numbers look good on paper.
The limits of hyper-masculine leadership: The conversation explores how workplaces dominated by competition, decisiveness without reflection, and quota-driven cultures can become unsustainable. Maria argues this isn't about men versus women—it's about finding balance between masculine and feminine qualities in all of us.
Creating (not finding) purpose: Maria offers a refreshing perspective on purpose. Rather than waiting to 'find' your purpose—which she suggests is only for the lucky few—she encourages leaders to actively create purpose based on their strengths and values.
Incentivising the right behaviours: Want to shift your organisation's culture? Maria's practical advice is clear: put collaborative, inclusive behaviours on performance plans with financial incentives attached. Use 360-degree feedback to ensure these behaviours are genuinely being demonstrated.
Practical assessments for teams: Maria's book includes three assessments that can be used individually or with teams, including the Barrett Value Assessment and her own Zenergy Q12 for creating purpose. A powerful question to consider: Where do you feel most alive?
Why This Matters for Leaders Today
With global workforce engagement at just 23% and disengagement costing trillions annually, the case for a new approach to leadership has never been stronger. Maria challenges us to move beyond outdated models built on dominance and short-term thinking, towards leadership that serves both people and planet. Whether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, the principles in this episode offer a genuine path to creating cultures where people thrive.
Connect with Maria Brinck
🌐 Website: www.mariabrinck.com
💼 LinkedIn: Maria Brinck
📚 Book: The Leadership We Need is available on Amazon and all major online bookshops
Done! I've updated the show notes so they read from Sue's perspective ("I'm joined by...") and removed the "Don't Miss This Episode" section.
Done! I've updated the show notes so they read from Sue's perspective ("I'm joined by...") and removed the "Don't iss This Episode" section.
