ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "EP209 - The Future of Leadership Is Human – Former Accenture Partner Brad Englert Explains Why"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with former Accenture Partner, CIO, and author of Spheres of Influence, Brad Englert, for an eye-opening conversation on trust, leadership, and building relationships that actually last.
Across his 22-year career at Accenture and through his time leading massive transformations in higher education, Brad saw one truth repeat itself: relationships aren’t soft skills—they’re strategy. In a world obsessed with speed, hustle, and hierarchy, Brad makes a compelling case for slowing down, connecting deeply, and leading with intention.
He shares how learning to say “whoa” instead of “yes” saved his marriage, preserved his energy, and ultimately made him a more respected leader. From bomb threats to burnout, vendor funerals to Winnebago leadership tours, Brad unpacks the principles that helped him create trust-rich environments in companies with over 70,000 people.
Together, they explore why most leadership training skips the stuff that matters most, how fire-drill cultures kill innovation, and what it really takes to empower people to lead themselves. If you’ve ever felt overworked, undervalued, or unsure how to scale your impact without sacrificing your values—this episode is your blueprint.
Follow Brad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradenglert
https://bradenglert.com/
https://instagram.com/bradenglertauthor
https://www.facebook.com/BradEnglertAdvisory/
https://x.com/EnglertBrad
The Tyler Dickerhoof Show
https://www.youtube.com/@impactdrivenleader
https://www.instagram.com/thetylerdickerhoofshow/
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://impactdrivenleader.beehiiv.com/
Tyler is on:
https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tyler.dickerhoof.3
https://www.instagram.com/tyler_dickerhoof/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-dickerhoof-1960351b
What We Discussed:
00:00 Introduction
01:25 Why relationships are the real key to success
04:15 “Don’t say no—say whoa”
08:17 How to be a better boss (and human)
09:58 Trust is built in the small moments, not just in crises
14:20 Are You Willing to Get in the Foxhole With Your Team?
16:18 How COVID reinforced the power of real relationships
19:23 Good work doesn’t require an office
24:39 How to build trust that lasts decades
28:14 Saying yes to everything is a leadership mistake
30:04 Hero culture is not a sustainable work culture
34:40 Why slowing down is the smartest leadership move
40:26 Why Gen Z doesn’t trust leadership
42:35 The funeral of a vendor who didn’t listen
44:48 The best leaders make themselves replaceable
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Across his 22-year career at Accenture and through his time leading massive transformations in higher education, Brad saw one truth repeat itself: relationships aren’t soft skills—they’re strategy. In a world obsessed with speed, hustle, and hierarchy, Brad makes a compelling case for slowing down, connecting deeply, and leading with intention.
He shares how learning to say “whoa” instead of “yes” saved his marriage, preserved his energy, and ultimately made him a more respected leader. From bomb threats to burnout, vendor funerals to Winnebago leadership tours, Brad unpacks the principles that helped him create trust-rich environments in companies with over 70,000 people.
Together, they explore why most leadership training skips the stuff that matters most, how fire-drill cultures kill innovation, and what it really takes to empower people to lead themselves. If you’ve ever felt overworked, undervalued, or unsure how to scale your impact without sacrificing your values—this episode is your blueprint.
Follow Brad:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradenglert
https://bradenglert.com/
https://instagram.com/bradenglertauthor
https://www.facebook.com/BradEnglertAdvisory/
https://x.com/EnglertBrad
The Tyler Dickerhoof Show
https://www.youtube.com/@impactdrivenleader
https://www.instagram.com/thetylerdickerhoofshow/
Subscribe to the newsletter:
https://impactdrivenleader.beehiiv.com/
Tyler is on:
https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/
https://www.facebook.com/tyler.dickerhoof.3
https://www.instagram.com/tyler_dickerhoof/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-dickerhoof-1960351b
What We Discussed:
00:00 Introduction
01:25 Why relationships are the real key to success
04:15 “Don’t say no—say whoa”
08:17 How to be a better boss (and human)
09:58 Trust is built in the small moments, not just in crises
14:20 Are You Willing to Get in the Foxhole With Your Team?
16:18 How COVID reinforced the power of real relationships
19:23 Good work doesn’t require an office
24:39 How to build trust that lasts decades
28:14 Saying yes to everything is a leadership mistake
30:04 Hero culture is not a sustainable work culture
34:40 Why slowing down is the smartest leadership move
40:26 Why Gen Z doesn’t trust leadership
42:35 The funeral of a vendor who didn’t listen
44:48 The best leaders make themselves replaceable
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In God we trust