In this episode of Leading By Example, I sit down with entrepreneur and former Pandora executive Jesper Nielsen to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, and what it really takes to build a globally recognized brand.

Jesper shares the story behind helping scale Pandora into one of the world's most successful jewellery companies, his unconventional views on leadership, why he believes people skills matter more than qualifications, and how culture can make or break an organization.

We also dive into the darker side of success. From building a global business and owning elite sports teams to losing everything during a years long legal battle with the Danish tax authorities, Jesper opens up about the challenges that tested him, his family, and his mindset.

This conversation explores what separates entrepreneurs from corporate executives, how great leaders create loyalty, why resilience matters more than talent, and the lessons learned from operating at the highest levels of business.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Building A Global Brand

04:50 Why Jesper Is Controversial In Denmark

09:10 Born To Be A Leader

14:00 Leadership, Culture, And People

18:20 Hiring Family And Building Trust

22:30 Why Attitude Matters More Than Skill

26:40 Founders vs Corporate Executives

33:15 Scaling Pandora Across Europe

38:45 Creating High Performance Teams

43:50 Leadership Lessons From Sports

47:10 Success Beyond Money

50:45 Losing Everything Overnight

54:00 The Fight Against The Danish Tax Authorities

57:45 The Resilience That Changed Everything

01:00:00 Advice For Entrepreneurs And Leaders

01:02:00 Final Thoughts

Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, executives, athletes, and leaders from around the world.

#Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Business #Pandora #Founder #CEO #Podcast #Success #Mindset #LeadershipDevelopment

Rayan Karaky leads international expansion at Amazon Ads across markets from the Nordics to Southeast Asia.

But his leadership story didn't start at Amazon.

It started in 2005 when he went all in on digital advertising before anyone believed in it. No management role. No authority. His own leaders told him he was wrong. His portfolio dropped from sixty million dollars to a hundred thousand almost overnight.

He led anyway.

In this conversation we talk about what it actually takes to lead before you have the title, the feedback he kept receiving for over a decade before it finally landed, how to show up for a diverse team when everything around them feels uncertain, and why the most important person you need to lead first is yourself.

One of the most honest conversations on the show so far.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya, CEO of Harbor Real Estate and widely known as the “Wolf of Real Estate.”

We talk about leadership, caring as the true definition of loyalty, and how one unhappy customer led to a million-dirham opportunity.

A powerful conversation about building people, culture, and lasting success.

We discuss what it means to lead in high-stakes environments, where decisions are fast, accountability is personal, and preparation can’t always be scripted.

A candid conversation about real leadership, earned credibility, and leading with substance over show.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I sit down with Ahmed Ben Chaibah, founder of AquaFun.

We dive into leadership beyond the spotlight, where responsibility is personal, tough decisions are inevitable, and influence is earned, not given.

Ahmed shares his perspective on why leadership is not charity, how credibility is built through action, and why discipline, values, and perseverance sit at the core of true leadership.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I sit down with Daniel Van Otterdijk, Group Chief Communications & Government Relations Officer at DP World.

We dive into leadership in high-pressure environments, where decisions are fast, details are critical, and responsibility can’t be delegated.

Daniel shares his perspective on what defines real leadership, how credibility is built through action, and why discipline, values, and craft sit at the core of excellence.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I sit down with Daniel Van Otterdijk, Group Chief Communications & Government Relations Officer at DP World.

We dive into leadership in high-pressure environments, where decisions are fast, details are critical, and responsibility can’t be delegated.

Daniel shares his perspective on what defines real leadership, how credibility is built through action, and why discipline, values, and craft sit at the core of excellence.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I speak with Dr. Mohammed Naji, Executive Director of Liberty Medical Group and founder of MoNaji Group.

We explore leadership under pressure, where details matter, decisions are fast, and responsibility is real. Dr. Naji shares powerful insights on building true leadership, personal branding with credibility, and why excellence is created through discipline, values, and craft.

This episode is for leaders and entrepreneurs who want to understand what real leadership looks like when it truly matters.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I sit down with Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC.

We talk about what leadership looks like when you are building institutions over decades, not just companies for short term wins. Ahmed shares reflections from his 25 year journey with DMCC, including leading through global crises, making decisions without a playbook, and carrying responsibility at scale.

The conversation explores trust as a leadership principle, the importance of timing, and why attitude often matters more than experience. We also discuss innovation across AI, commodities, finance and sustainability, and how long term thinking shapes real impact.

This is a deep conversation about leadership, accountability and building something that lasts.

In this episode of Leading by Example, I sit down with Seif el Hakim to talk about discipline, leadership, and what it really takes to succeed at the highest level.

From becoming the youngest CMO in Samsung to leaving comfort behind and building his own path, Seif shares why motivation is overrated, why most people fail before they start, and why leadership is responsibility not a title.

We dive into the Alpha mindset, ego, imposter syndrome, building a personal brand as a leader, and the brutal truth about entrepreneurship.

This is a no excuses conversation for leaders who are ready to take ownership, build discipline, and stop waiting for permission.

In this episode, Rami sits down with Kathleen McGrail, Global Lead and Middle East Managing Director at WSP, to explore what real leadership looks like at the highest level.

Kathleen shares her journey from management consulting to leading leaders across regions, her philosophy on authentic leadership, how to build a compelling vision, and why managers control while true leaders influence.

She also opens up about navigating pressure, shaping global culture, and the resilience required to lead in today’s world.