#50: What Harvard professors, Zappos, Minnie Mouse & a terrible course taught me (that you can use to grow as a CX leader)

In episode 50 of the CX Leadership Talks podcast, Nienke Bloem celebrates this milestone moment by taking you on a personal and powerful journey through her CX education experiences.

She shares the lowlight that started it all - a disappointing CX course in London - and how that frustration became the spark to build her own CX training programs. From there, she reflects on seven key learning experiences that shaped her leadership, including:

✨ A behind-the-scenes tour at Zappos and their legendary employee culture
✨ Learning CX magic at the Disney Institute (yes, there were Minnie ears!)
✨ Earning two diplomas from Harvard Business School Online
✨ The value of being part of an international mastermind that fuels strategy and accountability

This episode is a celebration of growth, resilience, and the power of investing in yourself. If you're a CX leader or aspiring to become one, you’ll walk away with fresh insights and a renewed belief in lifelong learning.

🎧 Hit play and discover what these experiences taught Nienke and what they can teach you too.

Timestamped overview

04:08 Disappointing CX training experience

08:19 Thin slicing concept explained

12:16 Commitment in blended learning

16:36 Networking and mastermind importance

18:06 Mastermind connections for CX leaders

21:01 Design thinking and growth

Resources mentioned:

Download the free e-zine with my 27 Zappos learnings here.

For more info about the CX Leadership Masterminds program, visit Nienke's website here.

About Nienke:
Nienke Bloem is often called the Customer Experience speaker in the blue dress. 

She's a global CX thought leader, educator and a global keynote speaker who inspires audiences with best practices and proven methodologies. She leads a speaking practice, a CX game company and a training business; she breathes Customer Experiences and is author of two CX books.

Her two-day Customer Experience Masterclass is known as the best program to prepare for your CCXP and she is the go-to person for CX leaders who want to advance their leadership and bring direct results from their Customer Experience transformation programs. Since 2020, she hosts a CX Leadership Masterminds program and helps leaders spice up their leadership and deliver an engaging CX Story including a solid CX Strategy. Besides, she is a modern-day pilgrim and found the parallel with leading customer centric transformations. 

With her over 20 years of corporate experience, she speaks the business language. Her keynotes and education programs in Customer Experience are inspiring and hands-on. She is one of the few Recognized Training Partners of the CXPA and it is her mission to Make Customer Experience Work and help you deliver business results. Subscribe to her weekly CX Greetz to stay tuned.