The Nordics are often said to be bound by shared values like trust, equality, and openness. Yet, each country expresses these in its own way – the Finns, stereotypically, with slightly fewer words 🙄😉, the Swedes with consensus-building, the Danes with a touch of hygge-infused directness. This summer, I found myself moving between three of …
In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and ongoing organizational restructurings, I’m noticing a striking pattern in my coaching practice. More and more high-achieving professionals -people being recommended or promoted into people leadership roles – are opting out. Some even voluntarily take a step down. The reason they give? “I feel too much. I care too …
What can we learn about decision-making in times of extreme uncertainty? Many of my clients today feel stuck, almost paralyzed, by the weight of big decisions in a world that’s rapidly changing. With unclear outcomes and unpredictable variables, it’s no wonder they feel overwhelmed and hesitant to act. This kind of stuckness isn’t just frustrating …
In my work as a coach, I regularly hear professionals share stories about their managers. Some are inspiring and energizing, while others fall into the opposite camp. And among the most damaging are not the outright bullies, but the unpredictable ones. We tend to think consistent bad behavior is the worst, and obviously nobody likes …
The Hidden Toll of Unpredictable Managers: Why Inconsistency Breeds Workplace Stress Read More »
As a woman navigating midlife – professionally, personally, and intellectually – I’ve found myself asking new and deeper questions about how we sustain ourselves in an increasingly complex, demanding world. I’m a coach to others in transition. A (mature!) student of neuroscience. A daughter to a mother living with Alzheimer’s. And I’m part of a …
This week, walking along the Danish coast, I felt it again: that deep, almost cellular exhale that comes when we stand near the sea. The soft roar of the waves, the slow rhythm of the tide, the expansive blue stretching to the horizon, inviting our nervous systems to finally, gently, let go. Many of us …
Why Water Calms Us: The Science and Soul of Blue Mind Read More »
Few skilled professionals show up to work each day with the intention of being unaccountable or disengaged. Most people want to do well. We want to contribute, feel valued, and be part of something meaningful. In fact, many of us thrive when we feel helpful, recognized, and trusted. And yet, something often breaks down within …
Accountability and Ownership: It’s Rarely About Laziness Read More »
Have you noticed? Recently, Entrepreneur Media reported on a wave of user complaints about ChatGPT’s new overly cheerful and validating tone. The updates to OpenAI’s GPT-4o model made the AI feel… well, fake. People described it as “toxic positivity” – where every idea, no matter how flawed, was celebrated as “brilliant” or “amazing”. Even OpenAI …
Toxic Positivity Is All Around Us – Even in your ChatGPT Read More »
On a weekly basis, clients come to me to work on how to better respond to the defensiveness of others – or how to feel and act less defensive themselves. These conversations often begin in the context of meetings and feedback sessions but increasingly extend into more informal settings: dinner table debates, hallway chats, or …
Managing Defensiveness at Work (Including Your Own) Read More »
A kanelbulle (or korvapuusti) enjoyed outside in the spring sun—during that brief, precious hour of good weather that this otherwise chilly day in Turku offered. Visiting my old hometown reminds me once again: Finnish happiness often isn’t about grand, extraordinary moments when everything is perfect. It’s found in the small, meaningful experiences—moments accessible to all, …
