The Black Belt in Leadership

In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, host Aslak de Silva welcomes Jason Shupp, the experienced leader of Ferguson Roofing and host of the From There to Here podcast, for a deep dive into the journey of leadership growth. Using the martial arts belt system as a metaphor, they explore how leaders progress from the early days of the "white belt" stage, where fundamentals are formed, through to the "black belt" mastery level, where continual learning becomes key.

Jason shares invaluable insights from his own leadership experiences of more 20 years and stories from nearly 70 podcast guests, each of whom has transformed through significant life and leadership lessons. Together, they unpack the importance of resilience, breakthrough moments, self-reflection, and embracing the challenges that shape a leader’s journey.

Whether you’re starting out in leadership or working toward mastery, this episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom on how each stage of development can unlock your potential to grow, lead, and inspire others.

Jason Shupp is a business owner, entrepreneur, speaker, and podcaster.  He is the third generation and nearly 20 year leader of the family construction business.  Recently, he passed stewardship to another family business, effectively starting the 4th generation of a now blended family.

Shupp’s leadership journey took him through both sides of generational transition, leading a tenured team while introducing young talent, navigating uncharted industry changes and unprecedented socioeconomic events.

Jason’s time is now invested in his podcast platform.  Rooted in curiosity and empathy, his approach blends nuance, context, and reflection to promote growth and perspective for his guest and audience.

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In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva is joined by Anna Kuusela (M.Sc. (Econ), ICF Executive Coach, Ex-Big4, and former ballerina), the founder and CEO of EDGE Leadership. Anna specializes in transforming the most influential leaders and leadership teams through creative insight, emotional intelligence, and relational mastery. Drawing on her experiences as a former ballet dancer and her deep expertise in organizational and personal change, Anna shares her insights on balancing perfectionism with progress, cultivating mental toughness, and fostering leadership agility in today’s fast-paced world.

Listeners will discover the importance of coachability, learn how to view coaching and to be coached as the stepping stones to mastery, and understand the critical role of focus and presence in leadership. Together, Aslak and Anna discuss how leaders can unlock their potential and elevate their leadership to new heights. 

Anna Kuusela (M.Sc. (Econ), ICF Executive Coach, Ex-Big4, former ballet dancer) is the founder & CEO of EDGE Leadership, facilitating the transformation of the most influential leaders and leadership teams through creative insight, and emotional & relational mastery. She’s the leading expert in both organisational and personal change, and her deepest passion lies in evolutionary emergence of our potential. She works with her clients around the world through her coaching, training and public speaking services.

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In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership podcast, host Aslak de Silva is joined by Dr. Elisabet Lahti, an expert in inner strength and the Finnish concept of sisu. They explore how sisu—a unique blend of determination, grit, and resilience in the face of adversity—can be applied to leadership challenges. Drawing from her research and personal endurance feats, Dr. Lahti shares practical insights on how leaders can tap into their hidden reserves of strength and push through tough times. Tune in to discover how to cultivate sisu and lead with unwavering resolve.

Dr. Elisabet Lahti, is an international presenter on topics related to the applied psychology of inner strength, conscious leadership, and high performance. In her PhD for the Finland-based Aalto University, she laid a foundation for the research on the ancient Finnish construct of sisu, which denotes courage and determination in the face of extreme adversity and the ability to unlock hidden inner strength.

Elisabet is an international keynote speaker and advices top-level executives internationally.

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In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership podcast, host Aslak de Silva sits down with executive coach and author Ritu G. Mehrish to dive deep into the concept of Leaders Block—a phenomenon where even the most seasoned leaders can feel stuck, uninspired, or disconnected from their purpose. Drawing parallels to martial arts, where practitioners often face physical and mental plateaus, Aslak and Ritu explore how leaders can break through these blockages with resilience, discipline, and self-awareness.

From recognizing the signs of Leaders Block to practical strategies for regaining clarity and momentum, Ritu shares insights from her years of coaching global executives. Tune in to learn how to shift your mindset, unlock your potential, and break through your leadership barriers like a true martial arts master.

Whether you’re in the midst of a leadership challenge or looking to elevate your leadership to the next level, this episode will equip you with the tools to overcome obstacles and master your inner leader.

Dr. Ritu G. Mehrish, an executive coach, author, and speaker with over 20 years of experience in leading global teams. Ritu has pioneered the concept of Leaders Block and written a fantastic book on the subject, offering practical strategies to overcome those periods when leaders feel blocked or disconnected from their purpose. Her insights, drawn from years of working with top executives, offer a fresh perspective on how to regain clarity and momentum

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In this episode of the Black Belt in Leadership podcast, host Aslak de Silva sits down with Feras Alhlou, a seasoned entrepreneur, business strategist, and co-founder of E-Nor, a leading digital analytics consultancy that he successfully led to an acquisition by Dentsu, one of the world’s largest advertising and digital marketing agencies. With a proven track record of sparring with entrepreneurs and helping them scale their businesses to 7 and 8 figures, Feras brings a wealth of knowledge in strategic leadership and business growth.

In this insightful conversation, Feras shares how the principles of martial arts—such as discipline, strategic planning, and resilience—can be powerful tools in driving business success. Whether you're aiming to scale your venture, prepare for acquisition, or simply refine your leadership approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to apply a black belt mindset to achieve extraordinary business outcomes.

Tune in to discover how Feras Alhlou has guided businesses to new heights and how you can apply these lessons to your own entrepreneurial journey.

Feras has founded, grown, and sold businesses in Silicon Valley and abroad, scaling them from zero revenue to 7 and 8 figures.  In 2019, Feras sold e-Nor, a digital marketing consulting company, to dentsu (a top-5 global media company).

Feras has served as an advisor to 150+ founders. In his current venture, Start Up With Feras, he's on a mission to help entrepreneurs in the consulting and services space start and grow their businesses smarter and stronger.

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In this episode of "The Black Belt in Leadership," we sit down with Alf Rehn, a professor of innovation, design, and management, to explore the paradoxes and complexities of modern leadership. We delve into how leaders can effectively balance being both strong visionaries and supportive team players, how to navigate the fine line between decisiveness and empathy, and the importance of embracing contradictions in leadership. Alf shares his unique insights on failure, success, and the critical traits that leaders must cultivate to thrive in today's fast-paced world. This episode offers practical wisdom for leaders seeking to lead with both strength and heart.

Alf Rehn, a professor of innovation, design, and management at the University of Southern Denmark. Alf describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to ideas—he writes books, advises business leaders, and speaks on various stages around the world.

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In this episode I will tell my own background and how did I get into martial arts. Sharing 4 core lessons I have learned and wrote about as a co-authoer of the book Winner's Mindset: Peak Performance Strategies for Success. Starting from doing things right and finding your do and purpose. Sharing a real-life examples about using feedback from my daughter to be better as a webinar presenter and in the end I am sharing two different ways to find your zen. 

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