Leadership Journeys [287] – Gerrit Sarens – “Great leaders know their strengths and their blind spots.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other’s stories – of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, I attempt to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

What happens when someone walks away from a successful academic career to build something completely different?

In this episode, Gerrit Sarens shares his journey from becoming the youngest professor at university to stepping into the uncertainty and excitement of entrepreneurship.

Together, we explore what it takes to embrace risk, develop deep self-awareness, and lead beyond the limits of your comfort zone.

Gerrit offers powerful insights on mentoring, personal growth, and why the best leaders are committed to understanding both their strengths and their blind spots.

If you’re facing a big leadership decision or wondering whether you’re capable of more than your current path, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger and choose courage over certainty.

You can find Gerrit Sarens at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerritsarens/
• https://www.ambits.eu/

In the interview, Gerrit shares

• “Leadership is not a position you hold; it’s a choice you make every day.”
• “Growth begins the moment you step beyond the comfort of what you’ve already mastered.”
• “Academia taught me how to think deeply; entrepreneurship taught me how to act boldly.”
• “The transition from individual achievement to collective success is one of the most important leadership journeys.”
• “The best leaders know their strengths, understand their blind spots, and stay curious enough to keep learning.”
• “Entrepreneurship has a way of revealing who you really are when certainty disappears.”
• “A great mentor doesn’t give you answers; they help you see what you couldn’t see on your own.”
• “Every meaningful transformation starts with personal growth before it ever shows up in business results.”
• “Big visions often feel uncomfortable to say out loud, but that’s usually a sign they’re worth pursuing.”
• “When leaders become better human beings, they create better businesses, stronger communities, and a better society.”