What happens when the biggest threat to a business, family, or leadership team isn’t strategy, money, or intelligence, but the things nobody is willing to say?

On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with René Sonneveld, a former Fortune 500 executive turned ICF Master Certified Coach, author, and trusted advisor to executives, enterprise families, boards, and high performers around the world. René’s career has taken him from international tax law and global banking to senior leadership roles with organizations including UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Citibank, where he worked at the intersection of family business, governance, wealth, and generational legacy.

René shares what years inside boardrooms and family enterprises taught him about the human side of leadership: unspoken tension, trust, succession, identity, emotional dynamics, difficult conversations, and the decisions that determine whether a legacy grows or fractures.

We also explore ideas from his book The Elephant in the Family Room, which examines the emotional forces operating beneath the surface of family businesses, along with his forthcoming book Invisible Capital: Building the Family Enterprise of Tomorrow, scheduled for October 2026.

This conversation goes beyond business strategy. It’s about developing the courage to address what everyone sees but no one wants to discuss, becoming a stronger leader, and building something that can outlive you.

Because sometimes the most important conversation in the room is the one nobody is having.

https://www.renesonneveld.com/

 

What happens when the biggest threat to a business, family, or leadership team isn&rsquo;t strategy, money, or intelligence, but the things nobody is willing to say?
On this episode of I Am Refocused Radio, Shemaiah Reed sits down with Ren&eacute; Sonneveld, a former Fortune 500 executive turned ICF Master Certified Coach, author, and trusted advisor to executives, enterprise families, boards, and high performers around the world. Ren&eacute;&rsquo;s career has taken him from international tax law and global banking to senior leadership roles with organizations including UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Citibank, where he worked at the intersection of family business, governance, wealth, and generational legacy.
Ren&eacute; shares what years inside boardrooms and family enterprises taught him about the human side of leadership: unspoken tension, trust, succession, identity, emotional dynamics, difficult conversations, and the decisions that determine whether a legacy grows or fractures.
We also explore ideas from his book The Elephant in the Family Room, which examines the emotional forces operating beneath the surface of family businesses, along with his forthcoming book Invisible Capital: Building the Family Enterprise of Tomorrow, scheduled for October 2026.
This conversation goes beyond business strategy. It&rsquo;s about developing the courage to address what everyone sees but no one wants to discuss, becoming a stronger leader, and building something that can outlive you.
Because sometimes the most important conversation in the room is the one nobody is having.
<a href="https://www.renesonneveld.com/">https://www.renesonneveld.com/</a>
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"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast—it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.

From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah’s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests—celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast&mdash;it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.
From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah&rsquo;s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests&mdash;celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.
Whether you&rsquo;re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

I Am Refocused Podcast

I Am Refocused Radio provides a space that welcomes people to speak freely about real life experiences through various platforms to engage and encourage those who are looking to find their purpose.