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🔐 The Best Leaders Make Themselves Replaceable
The other week, I shared that I’ll be stepping down from my role as CMO in the company I joined 7 years ago. In many ways, it was the easiest and hardest decision I’ve made in my career. Easy because I’m ready for a new chapter. Hard because it’s a role, a brand, and a…
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🏢 Does It Really Matter Where We Work?
Reflection on productivity, presence, and the real future of work. A few years ago, during the pandemic, the majority were working from home. Today, many are heading back to the office, sometimes by choice, sometimes by policy. Some leaders swear by the energy of being physically together. Others embrace the flexibility of remote or hybrid…
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🧭 Is Your Strategy Built for 2026?
Annual planning season is here. If your strategy stops at 2025, you may already be leaving value on the table. In today’s market, change cycles are faster, competition is sharper, and disruption rarely waits politely for the next calendar year. So the question isn’t just “What’s our plan for 2025?” It’s “Are we making decisions…
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The Out-of-Office Leader: How Detachment Builds Stronger Teams
The author reflects on a three-week holiday in Sweden, emphasizing cultural differences in vacation norms and the benefits of extended breaks for leaders. Taking time off fosters cognitive recovery and empowers teams, creating a healthier work environment. Leaders should promote rest as essential, not a luxury, to enhance innovation and resilience.
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Creativity: Soft or Critical Skill?
Creativity is evolving from mere expression to a vital leadership skill in the age of AI. It’s defined as producing novel yet useful work, essential for strategic business success. With research supporting its importance, creativity emerges as a critical asset for navigating change, driving innovation, and fostering authentic leadership in today’s complex environment.
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Are You the Bottleneck?
Senior leaders may unintentionally hinder their organization’s growth by retaining too much control over decision-making. Research reveals that empowering front-line employees enhances speed and adaptability. Signs of being a bottleneck include frequent approvals and stagnation in growth. Effective leadership involves self-awareness, facilitating team development, and embracing delegation for improved performance.
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Key Skills to Thrive in the Age of AI
At the beginning of this year, I had an insightful conversation with the inspiring Bodil Jonason about the critical role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in a world increasingly dominated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). During our discussion, Bodil highlighted the Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum (WEF), which had just been released a…
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Coaching – Magic, Myth, or Momentum?
It’s interesting – no top athlete or team would ever imagine reaching their maximum performance without a coach. In fact, many athletes have multiple coaches for different areas. Yet, in the business world and in our personal lives, the word “coach” often carries a negative connotation. Perhaps it’s because anyone offering any sort of support…
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How Can We Lead with Hope and Stability?
The author reflects on personal experiences during crises over 40 years, from childhood fears amid the Cold War to experiencing terrorist attacks in London and Berlin. She emphasizes the importance of action, hope, communication, and team collaboration in navigating crises. Building stability for others is crucial, as is staying informed while managing emotional responses.
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The Empathy Crisis: Are We Losing Our Ability to Connect?
This week, I attended an enlightening training on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) with Bodil Jonasson. I pondered whether empathy is declining in today’s world and the implications for trust. Unlike IQ, which is stable, EQ evolves and can be nurtured. It’s crucial for us to enhance our EQ amidst global challenges.
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Stop Waiting for Motivation – Start Taking Action
As 2025 kicks off, many of us are back at work, navigating the second or third week post-holidays. It’s a time when energy levels can feel low, and the January Blues might creep in. How is your motivation doing? Are you ready to rock, or are you waiting for inspiration to strike? Perhaps you’ve noticed…
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Fairness in Times of Change: Is It Possible?
In 2024, the tech industry faced significant layoffs, impacting over 100,000 employees. This situation raises concerns about organizational justice, highlighting the importance of fairness in outcomes, decision-making processes, employee treatment, and communication. Leaders must ensure transparency and respect to maintain trust and engagement among remaining employees during such challenging times.
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Ditch Procrastination: Pre-crastinate in 2025
We all know the feeling. You look at a task, tell yourself “I’ll do it later,” and suddenly, later turns into days or even weeks. But what if later was no longer the default? What if we made 2025 the year of pre-crastination? Are you like me – postponing tasks even though you know it…
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Work-Life Balance Is Dead – Long Live Life!
Mental health issues have escalated globally, now identified as the top concern by 45% of people across 31 countries. The author discusses the unrealistic nature of perfect work-life balance, advocating for a holistic view of life where work and personal fulfillment coexist. Acknowledging the importance of intentionality, relationships, and recharging, Frida encourages living authentically.
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Recruitment: The Most Important Strategic Tool?
As a leader, you’ve likely been on both sides of the recruitment table – hiring and being hired. How do you feel about this process? Is recruitment a strategic priority for you, or does it often get buried under the day-to-day demands of leadership What if we elevated recruitment to its rightful place as a…
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The Leadership Narrative: What Has Shaped You to Become the Leader You Are?
Autobiographical reasoning is crucial for leaders as it involves reflecting on past experiences that shape their identities and leadership styles. The author shares their journey from a non-academic background to becoming the first in their family to earn a degree, emphasizing the importance of core values in guiding leadership. Understanding one’s narrative enhances clarity and…
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