Human on the Inside with Innovabiz’s Jürgen Strauss
Human on the Inside. We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Maxme: Welcome Jürgen, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re the founder, podcaster and connector of amazing humans at Innovabiz.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?
Jürgen Strauss: As the host of the InnovaBuzz Podcast, with over 675 episodes under my belt and sporting my signature bright yellow headphones, I guide high-impact achievers - coaches, entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders shaping our world, to build vibrant connections. I guide them to amplify their message through the power of podcasting, transforming their businesses by fostering deeper conversations and stronger relationships. It's all about creating a lasting impression on listeners, clients, podcast guests, and hosts alike.
M: You're the Founder of Innovabiz and creator of Flywheel Nation, where you coach high-impact achievers to grow their influence and networks through human-centred podcasting. With a background in global leadership roles in science and marketing, you now focus on helping others build community and authority through meaningful conversations. You've hosted hundreds of podcast episodes, blending strategic insight with a strong focus on connection..
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
JS: This work is the perfect confluence of everything that drives me. My entire career, from leading global teams in science and marketing to my current focus, has been about understanding and connecting complex systems - and there is no system more complex or fascinating than human beings.
I'm driven by a deep-seated curiosity about what makes people tick, and podcasting is my chosen medium for exploration. In a world that often encourages superficial interactions, I get to create a space for conversations that have real depth and resonance. Those signature bright yellow headphones aren't just a brand element; they're a symbol of my purpose. They represent a commitment to listening intently and helping others feel truly seen and heard as well as communicate their message in a way that truly makes a difference, which is, for me, the most meaningful work there is.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
JS: On the surface, my formal qualifications in Industrial Chemistry seem worlds away from my career today. I began in a laboratory, surrounded by scientific apparatus, focused on the predictable nature of chemical reactions. Yet, that scientific grounding taught me a crucial skill: how to observe, analyse, and understand complex systems.
This mindset served me well as I transitioned into the corporate world, a journey into global leadership that was supported by an Executive MBA and marketing qualifications from Wharton. However, it was during my time leading those large teams that I discovered the most elegant business strategy is incomplete without a deep understanding of the human element.
This realisation sparked my "second education," the one that truly shaped my current path: becoming an NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer. This is where I learned to apply that same systematic curiosity to the patterns of human communication and behaviour.
So while my university degrees don't directly name "podcasting innovator," the underlying mindset of inquiry and discovery is the thread that connects them all. My work today is a synthesis of that entire journey - blending scientific analysis, strategic business thinking, and a profound focus on human connection.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...
JS: I’d explain to my younger self that while qualifications open doors, it’s a relentless curiosity that builds the unique and interesting rooms behind them. Your most significant opportunities won’t arise from a predictable path, but from exploring the unexpected intersections of your passions - where science might inform marketing, or where technology can be shaped to serve human connection.
That exploration requires both courage and community: the courage to experiment, and the wisdom to build deep relationships with mentors who can illuminate the way. Ultimately, the connections forged on that journey will prove far more valuable and enduring than any title you could ever collect.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?
JS: In my industry, human skills are not just valuable; they are the entire point. Technology has democratised the tools of content creation - anyone can buy a quality microphone and use AI to edit audio - but it cannot replicate the skills that create a truly compelling podcast.
What separates a forgettable interview from a transformational conversation are the essential human abilities: the empathy to create a safe space for a guest to be vulnerable; the active listening to hear the meaning beneath the words; the rapport that builds an instantaneous, natural dialogue; and the genuine curiosity that fuels the entire exploration.
In an age of automation, these skills are the last and most important competitive advantage. They are what turn listeners into a community and a platform into a legacy.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. What’s your strongest trait / personal super power?
JS: My superpower is Connective Curiosity.
It's more than just being a good listener. It's the ability to hear the distinct threads in what someone is sharing - their experiences, their passions, their expertise - and intuitively see how they weave together into a larger, coherent tapestry. It's an ingrained pattern-recognition skill, honed through my work in science and NLP, that allows me to connect ideas and people in novel ways.
This is what enables me to ask the question that makes a guest pause and say, "That's a fantastic question," because it connects two parts of their own story they may not have linked themselves. It’s the engine that drives every meaningful conversation I host.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
JS: Without a doubt, it has been the discipline of stillness.
My background in corporate leadership trained me to direct action and fill every silence with a solution. This skill is a close cousin to another crucial lesson I've had to learn: asking for help earlier in any undertaking. Both require unlearning the instinct to solve everything myself and, instead, trusting the wisdom that can emerge from a shared space - be it a quiet pause in a conversation or a collaborator's fresh perspective.
This discipline is deeply connected to my personal life; it’s the same stillness required for recovery after a long day of cycling. I'm far from perfect at it, and it's a skill I'm continuously working on. Thankfully, my hobbies are my best training ground: the patience of photography, the meditative presence of travel, the steady rhythm of cycle touring and hiking, and the slow pace of gardening all reinforce the value of letting things unfold in their own time.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work for an organisation like yours, what would it be?
JS: My core advice is this: be relentlessly curious and never stop learning. In a world changing at an exponential pace, your ability to adapt and evolve is paramount, and this requires more than a degree.
The most powerful way to demonstrate that adaptive mindset is to create in public. Don't just ask for a job; show your value with "proof of action." Start that podcast, write that insightful LinkedIn analysis, use the AI tools at your disposal - build something that showcases not just your skills, but your unique point of view.
This approach achieves two critical goals. First, it becomes the most compelling resume you can have. But just as importantly, it's the single most effective way to build a genuine network and attract the mentors who will shape your career. You won't have to chase them; your work will be a beacon that draws them to you.
M: You’ve been granted approval to add one Uni graduate to your business, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
JS: Outstanding academic results are the starting line, not the finish. They tell me an applicant is intelligent, but they don’t tell me if they possess the qualities that truly matter for innovation and connection.
Beyond the resume, I’m looking for a specific constellation of traits. I want someone with a driving curiosity, a genuine passion for human connection, and the courage to not only think creatively but to also question the status quo - even my own - in a way that is clarifying and collaborative. Their ability to build relationships and communicate effectively is far more important to me than their grades.
So, my 'test' wouldn't be a task I set for them - a story I ask of them.
"Tell me about a time your curiosity led you to identify a problem or an opportunity that others were overlooking. How did that idea manifest, what challenges did you face, who did you need to connect with to move it forward, and what was the result?"
Their answer to that question reveals their resilience, their innate problem-solving style, and whether they have that essential, human-centred gene. I'm not hiring a resume; I'm looking to partner with a future innovator, and that's only revealed through their story.
M: In the words of American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”
What’s next on your #learning agenda?
JS: Professionally, my "magical playground" of AI continues to be a constant source of fascination. I'm not just tinkering with it for efficiency anymore; I'm really digging into how generative AI can augment the deeply human aspects of my work. For instance, can it help me analyze podcast transcripts to identify underlying emotional patterns or recurring themes that I might have missed? It's about finding new ways to enhance connection, not replace it.
On a personal note, I'm gearing up for a trip to Japan in September 2025, and I'm immersing myself in the Japanese aesthetic philosophies of Wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) and Yūgen (a profound, mysterious grace) to inform my photography. I'm even exploring how AI might play a role in enhancing my photographic vision - perhaps by helping me identify subtle patterns or textures in a scene that align with those philosophies. The goal isn't to let AI create the art, but to use it as a tool to deepen my own understanding and expression. I want to see the world through an ever expanding cultural and artistic lens, and bring those perspectives back to my work.
And woven through it all is the continuous learning I get from my community roles, my cycling adventures, and even the ever-present challenge of the financial markets. For me, learning isn't a separate activity; it's the very texture of a life lived with curiosity. It's all connected!
Jürgen Strauss
Founder | Podcaster | Speaker
As the world's leading Human-Centred Podcasting Coach, Jürgen guides high-impact achievers - including coaches, entrepreneurs, and authors - to amplify their message and transform their businesses through the art of authentic conversation. His unique perspective is forged at the intersection of technology, human behaviour, and business management, drawing from a distinguished career leading large, global teams in the corporate world. This is combined with deep, practical expertise, having hosted over 675 episodes of the acclaimed Innovabuzz Podcast.
A Master Practitioner and Certified Trainer of NLP, Jürgen champions deep connection while leveraging robust systems like the Innovabuzz Podcasting Flywheel to ensure seamless production. He is at the forefront of harnessing generative AI, skillfully blending its efficiency with the warmth of human interaction to create captivating content.
Ultimately, Jürgen's mission is to help leaders build vibrant communities and forge powerful professional networks, proving that the most meaningful business growth is driven by genuine relationships built one conversation at a time.
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