Is the "Scaling Trap" destroying your returns—and your purpose? 📉

Former Nike VP Dirk Van Onsem reveals why the traditional corporate growth model is failing and how a single question from his daughter forced him to walk away from a 25-year executive career to pursue regenerative leadership.

In this episode of (un)conversations (S2 | E4), Dr. Alison sits down with the founder of Beyonders Collective to explore "The Unknowing"—the vulnerable space between leaving a global giant and building a planet-positive biohub.

🚀 Inside the Episode (The "WIIFM"):

• The Daughter's Question: The catalyst that turned a Nike executive into a climate advocate.

• Shadow Leadership: Why the "perfect executive" image is actually blocking your team's innovation.

• The Scaling Myth: Why expanding large businesses is often the opposite of regeneration.

• Regenerative Finance: A new framework for prioritizing resilience over exit-based growth.

🔔 Follow (un)conversations on Spotify to stay ahead of the leadership curve:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5xkI3Kg3e4VCUY5hXFGUaS?si=xUdMhFRrQyyR1wHbaIkWDQ&nd=1&dlsi=47c2f501c0f54948

Timestamps:(03:00) The “(UN)word” Effect: Personal leadership evolution(07:08) Unassuming: Leading by asking the right questions(14:30) 25 Years of Nike Leadership Lessons(28:45) Unknowing: Navigating burnout and the "empty space"(52:10) Building a Regenerative Business Ecosystem(01:10:46) Ask Dr. Alison: Leadership Q&A

Connect with our Guest:Dirk Van Onsem: https://www.beyonderscollective.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dirk-van-onsem-36a8b75/

Connect with Dr. Alison:Work With Us: https://www.unconventionllc.com/messageusLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralisonschmidt/

🎵 Music by DJ Doug Jackson: https://soundcloud.com/dougjackson

⭐ Support the Show:If this episode helped you give yourself "permission to be unconventional," please leave a 5-star rating and a review!

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