In this episode of Sharks in the Pool, Pascale interviews Inga Dengel, a seasoned leader with a diverse background in finance, marketing, and general management.

Inga shares her journey from a challenging start in her career to becoming a general manager at PepsiCo, where she led a large team in Greece and Cyprus. The conversation delves into her personal life, including her passion for running, its importance, and the lessons she has learned from parenting. Inga also discusses her new venture, Young Blossom 25.

• Inga emphasizes the importance of building habits through enjoyable activities.
• She reflects on her career evolution from finance to general management.
• Inga shares her experience of feeling out of her comfort zone in new roles.
• She discusses the significance of feedback and personal growth over time.
• Inga highlights the challenges of engaging teams and the need for effective communication.
• She reflects on the impact of motherhood on her personal development.
• Inga discusses the misconceptions about Gen Z and their career aspirations.
• She emphasizes the importance of purpose and guidance for younger generations.
• Inga shares insights on the anxiety faced by Gen Z in decision-making.
• She highlights the need for companies to adapt to the changing workforce dynamics.

What does it take to rise fast, fail hard, and come back stronger than ever?

In this episode of Sharks in the Pool, I speak with Robert “Robby” Sadjak, Managing Partner of Dr. Maier & Partner and Valtus Germany, about his extraordinary journey through global brands, personal failure, and professional reinvention.

Robby’s career spans both triumph and transformation:

✅ Built powerhouse brands at Henkel and PepsiCo, including turning Germany into the #2 global market for Rockstar Energy

✅ Launched and failed his own startup — and came back with sharper focus and stronger values

✅ Now drives leadership impact through two of Germany’s most respected firms in executive search and interim management

🎧 5 powerful takeaways you’ll get from this episode:

🔑 1. The real reasons his startup failed — and what ex-corporate leaders need to unlearn to succeed

Forget the playbook. Robby explains why corporate success can be your biggest blind spot as a founder.

🏁 2. Why interim leadership is booming — and here to stay

With over 15,000 interim executives in Germany, Robby explains how C-level leaders are finding freedom, focus, and control in the interim model.

🧠 3. How to build teams that follow you for life

Leadership isn’t about charisma — it’s about creating safety, clarity, and momentum. Robby shares the method that made his teams loyal for years.

🌍 4. How parenting and global travel shaped his leadership mindset

From Sri Lanka to Japan, Robby reflects on how shared values and cultural curiosity created alignment at home — and in business.

🤖 5. Why AI is already reshaping executive leadership

From sourcing talent to strategic decision-making — Robby shares how he’s actively integrating AI to stay ahead of the curve.

💬 Whether you’re a C-level leader, founder, or in a moment of career change — this conversation will move you, challenge you, and sharpen your thinking.

Bonus episode | The rise of discount in KSA🇸🇦 | An AI episode

🎭 NEW EPISODE: The Art of Flow & The Power of Presence

Get ready for one of our most captivating episodes yet! Live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, we welcome actress, soft skills coach, and world traveler Nicole Garbellini, who shares her journey, wisdom, and secrets to mastering the stage—and life.

🔹 The Flow State Unlocked – How actors tap into the "flow" and why it can help you perform better in any situation.

🔹 Overcoming Fear & Finding Your Voice –Nicole's story of battling accent bias in acting and turning it into her strength.

🔹 Theater, Beauty, and Society's Pressures – A deep dive into the differences between the Middle East, the UK, and Asia regarding beauty standards and self-expression.

🔹 Never Let Your Team Fail – A powerful lesson from the stage that applies to leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
🔹 From Ice Skating to Big Dreams – Why embracing new experiences, even as adults, keeps us alive and inspired.

This episode is packed with insights, humor, and hard-hitting drama. Don't miss it! 🎙️🔥 #SharksInThePool #Acting #FlowState #Leadership

Maria Estlander, an experienced FMCG senior leader who's climbed the ranks at global giants like L'Oréal, Mars, and Essity, shares her journey which is truly inspirational.

🚀Trusting your instincts and being brave enough to try, even if it means failing, is the key to unlocking the best things in life.

🚀Stepping outside your comfort zone and asking questions can lead to personal growth and expanded opportunities.

🚀Effective leadership requires balancing ambition and drive with empathy and understanding to guide a team toward success.

🚀Connecting insights, reading trends, and anticipating future changes is a valuable superpower in any business.

🚀Continuous learning, even in familiar environments, continuous learning keeps life exciting and allows for ongoing personal development.

• Career Transitions and Leadership Journey
  Melda shared her transition from senior corporate roles at Kraft Heinz and P&G to a portfolio career in consulting and executive coaching.

• Cultural Adaptation and Global Perspective
  During her relocation experiences, Melda highlighted cultural differences between the Middle East and Asia, especially in communication and hierarchy.

• Empowering Women in Leadership
  Melda delved into the slow progress of gender diversity in leadership, particularly in the Middle East, and shared insights on how companies and individuals can accelerate change.

• Mental Well-being and Work-Life Balance
  Melda underscored the importance of mental health, sharing personal stories of resilience and knowing when to quit.

• Curiosity and Personal Growth
  Melda recounted her recent experience trying Muay Thai, advocating for lifelong learning, symbolizing her belief in stepping out of her comfort zone.

• The importance of networking and making human connections, not just relying on online job applications and technology. Lisa emphasizes the value of talking to people and building relationships in addition to using online tools for job searches.
• The role of resumes, cover letters, and keywords in getting noticed by recruiters and passing initial screening processes. Lisa provides insights on how to craft effective resumes and cover letters that appeal to different preferences among recruiters.
• The challenges Lisa faced during her career transition and the lessons she learned about work-life balance, asking for help, and persevering through difficult times. She shares her personal experience of starting her business after being laid off and the mental toll it took.
• The value of surrounding oneself with people who can inspire growth and balance in different areas of life, rather than strictly following the "you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with" advice.
• The importance of self-promotion and advocating for oneself, even for introverts, by sticking to facts and accomplishments rather than exaggerated claims.

In this episode, I speak to Jin Choi, a senior leader with over 11 years of experience at Meta (former Facebook). Jin is a media professional and an inspirational leader with excellent self-reflection skills. He is taking us on his career journey and the most significant challenges, giving us a sneak peek into his private life. THANK YOU so much for this episode, dear Jin.