Episode 6 Featuring Drahomira Mandiková: Leadership Requires the Willingness to Unlearn

What do you do when the leadership style that made you successful for 25 years suddenly stops working? Drahomira Mandiková shares her phoenix moment in leadership. A big shift creates an impact in the workplace and is reflected in our personal behaviours as well. That is the Phoenix lesson she brings in this episode: “Sometimes growth is not about adding skills. It’s about letting an old version of yourself burn - so a more adaptable leader can rise.  And today, I know that leadership is not universal. And the most powerful leaders are those willing to be reborn”.About Drahomira:Drahomira Mandiková is the Group Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Asahi Group Holding, based in Tokyo. Her career in the beer industry began 26 years ago in Slovakia, her home country, and has since spanned roles at the company’s European headquarters, in India, and now in Japan. Her work is driven by a purpose to navigate a shifting business environment by broadening the conversation from short‑term profitability to long‑term sustainability. She brings a global perspective to how companies can remain successful and bring positive impact. In her current role, Drahomira is closely involved in facilitating the transformation of a Japanese company into a truly global organisation—bridging cultures, aligning leadership across regions, and supporting change at the enterprise level. She is known as a connector who brings people together around shared purpose and impact. Drahomíra Mandíková, a senior global sustainability executive, is one of the leaders recognised in Sustainability Magazine’s Top 250 Women in Sustainability (2026) list, ranked 68. You can see the full report here, and a link to the ‘Out Now’ post is here. LinkedIn We are all responsible for how we show up in the world, to others, ánd to ourselves. With Phoenix Frequencies, Nienke van Bezooijen shines her light on what we can do to be the best versions of ourselves based on how we show up and what we are willing to learn. It isn't about showing the way with pretended positivity, it is the heart-based vulnerability-sharing options. It takes courage to rise. See what is for you. Or share with others.  Perfect doesn't exist; curiosity can be the stepping stone to broaden your perspectives. Courage to move on from the past,Trust to be with the present,Rise to create a new future. If you want to be interviewed as a phoenix, write to  heartbraincoachnienke @gmail.com