Arvid Buit is a globally recognized leadership expert, strategy consultant, and author with more than twenty years of experience helping leaders and organizations grow in meaningful, lasting ways. His work explores the psychology behind leadership, moving past buzzwords and popular myths to uncover what truly shapes influence, culture, and performance. Drawing on insights from neuroscience, behavioral science, and attachment theory, Arvid offers grounded, practical strategies that resonate with executives and professionals alike. Earlier in his career, he worked in the entertainment industry, touring with world-renowned performers—an experience that gave him a firsthand look at the pressures, expectations, and private struggles of high achievers. Today, through his consulting, keynote speaking, and writing, Arvid helps leaders cultivate self-awareness, authentic connection, and the kind of sustainable success that strengthens both people and organizations.
Author Q&A
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an executive coach and strategic advisor working with CEOs and senior leaders on the psychological and strategic realities of leadership. My work focuses on power, decision-making, responsibility, and the inner structures that shape how leaders think and act under pressure. I’ve written three books to date, all centered on leadership and psychology, with Let’s Talk Leadership being the most recent—and the first published in English.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Let’s Talk Leadership. It was inspired by the growing need for serious, nuanced explanations of leadership psychology. In a world quick to label leaders as “narcissists” or “psychopaths,” I felt it was time to introduce more precise, evidence-based thinking about power, personality, and responsibility.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many—ranging from Greek philosophers to contemporary comedians writing about creativity and human behavior. One book that has had a particularly strong impact on my thinking is The Body Keeps the Score by Professor Bessel van der Kolk.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Voltaire’s Candide. What fascinates me is how brutally contemporary it still feels. Beneath the satire lies a sharp dismantling of naïve optimism—the belief that the world is rational, just, or self-correcting if we simply mean well.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
One book on building a boat—because optimism is nice, but an exit strategy is better.
One book on catching fish and finding food—because leadership theory doesn’t burn calories.
One book on making fire and basic survival—because warmth, cooking, and not dying matter.
And one slim novel, just to remind myself that civilization once existed—and that this, too, is a systems problem.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now? Do you have any pets?
I’m Arvid, 41 years old, married to Rienje, and together we have two children (aged 11 and 7). We live in Friesland, in the northern part of the Netherlands. Think wide landscapes, water, green fields, and quiet. We live in a Swedish-style house, and our dog is called Hugo.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As soon as I could read—around age four—I became an obsessive reader. I still read extensively, though perhaps not quite at the same manic pace. Interestingly, my daughter seems to be continuing the tradition.
What inspired you to write your first book?
People tend to have strong opinions about leaders, usually without much nuance. Working closely with leaders made me realize there was a real need for books that explain the inner workings of successful people—how they think, struggle, and grow. That realization led to my first book in 2015.How much of the book is realistic?
All of it. It’s not a novel, but a practical work grounded in real-world experience, based on my work with more than 900 C-suite and senior leaders.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Always. I start with the title, then build a detailed outline, and only then begin writing the chapters.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paperback books?
Paper. I’ve built a wall-to-wall library at home—with a ladder. The smell of books alone is reason enough.
Do you like audiobooks, physical books, or e-books better? Why?
Both physical books and audiobooks. Audiobooks have a special place for me—I’ve been a professional narrator for over eight years and have worked on projects including audiobooks for Disney. That makes listening a very personal experience.
Connect with Arvid online at
Website: http://leadership-book.com
Coaching & Consulting: http://true-leadership.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arvidbuit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalkleadership2025
Let’s Talk Leadership: The Psychology of Power, Presence, and Purpose in Modern Leadership is available for purchase on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-Leadership-Psychology-Presence-ebook/dp/B0G4KFLC99