A Geek Leader Podcast - inspiring technical and creative leaders around the world AGL 450: Barbara Wittmann
About Barbara
Barbara Wittmann is an author, entrepreneur, and leadership advisor known for helping leaders navigate the intersection of technology, culture, and human potential. With over 25 years of experience in IT strategy and digital innovation—including senior roles at SAP and the creation of multiple successful consultancies—Barbara brings a unique blend of technical expertise and people-centered leadership.
Today, she focuses on what she calls Digital Wisdom: the skill of leading with clarity, ethics, and emotional intelligence in a rapidly evolving digital world. Through coaching, speaking, and writing, she supports executives, founders, and high-impact teams in building cultures where innovation, trust, and purpose can thrive.
Originally from Germany and now based in Colorado, Barbara continues to inspire global audiences through her leadership philosophy, storytelling, and passion for aligning technology with what makes us deeply and authentically human.
Today We Talked About
- Background
- Accidental Technologist
- Everyone Wants to be seen
- Wisdom is not tied to Age, its the willingness to explore yourself
- Software Test Cycles as a leadership Analogy
- The Digital Wisdom Collective
- Changing Culture
- Controlling Fear
- Limiting Beliefs
- Ask for forgiveness, not permission to change culture
- Trust
- Fun as a value
- Assumptions are the silent killer (must feel safe to share them)
- Curiosity
- Limiting Beliefs in Tech Leaders…. we’re not just 0 and 1 people
- Getting ahead of AI and Shadow IT