My Power
When I was young, I wanted to be a journalist. But the entrance exam to the School of Journalism scared me away from pursuing what I dreamed of. The fear of failure was too great. So I chose a different path - and have used words in my career in other ways.
As a leader, communication is one of my most important tools. Words matter. For direction. For recognition. For security.
In 2022, I made a post on LinkedIn on the occasion of Denmark's Mental Health Day, where I chose to say that I live a life with anxiety as my faithful companion. The combination of my role as a director and the vulnerability of opening up to a life with anxiety meant that the response was overwhelming. My post reached a wide audience and I received a lot of positive messages - both from people in and outside my network. It showed me that emotional intelligence in management is underestimated.
We think we should only showcase our successes and what we have control over. But we inspire the most when we dare to open up about what makes us relatable as people. Because what we need most is role models who also have the courage to show the unpolished.
We often surround ourselves with people who are similar to us. It reassures us that our own way of being is the right one. But life has taught me that it is those who provoke me, those who amaze me, those who think and live differently, who have the most to give me in my personal development. Curiosity is an important skill, I think. Curiosity about one another is a quality that suits everyone. The alternative is condemnation and polarization. And historically, that has never resulted in anything good.
I try my best to maintain my curiosity and to be a whole person with the courage to show multiple facets.