Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas were told they were free. Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, observed annually on June 19. It is also known as: Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, Juneteenth Independence Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day.


Human beings throughout history have used racism to elevate certain groups of people over others. There are laws, such as the Equality Act, that prohibit racism and protect certain groups from discrimination. These laws exist because society has been structured in a way that historically favoured white men, placing them at the top and everyone else beneath them. To counteract this historical imbalance, the law aims to protect marginalised groups (e.g., women, minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals) from discrimination. These categories are protected because they have historically faced discrimination. However, there is no law that mandates organisations to hire people from marginalised backgrounds.

Five key attributes

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, I think future leaders must possess these five key attributes to navigate the complexities of a globalised landscape effectively.
1. Global thinking
2. Cross-cultural appreciation
3. Technology savvy
4. Building alliances and partnerships
5. Shared leadership

“The leader of the past was a person who knew how to tell. The leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask.””
— Peter Drucker

Awareness and trust

People only buy from you for two reasons: they know you exist, and they trust you. Awareness is finite; once someone's attention is spent, it’s gone forever. As a result, people are becoming more selective about where they direct their attention. Historically, marketers have often wasted our attention, but moving forward, the successful ones will be those who value, nurture, and cherish it. The biggest mistake marketers repeatedly make is rooted in selfishness and narcissism - believing that just because something was hard to create, people owe them their attention. I think this mindset lacks humility, generosity, and connection. Marketers need to shift from behaving like toddlers throwing tantrums to patiently earning the attention of the people they seek to serve.

Create a pathway

c/o LinkedIn

I think leaders need to take ownership of this dynamic and commit to seeking guidance from experts like “myself” to navigate and implement effective policies. And by doing so, they will ensure that their employees feel valued. When employees feel valued, they contribute diverse experiences and perspectives to decision-making and problem-solving, which provides a significant competitive advantage.

Making people feel valued

c/o LinkedIn

Genuine leadership is not about asserting authority; it’s about earning the trust and respect of others through your words and actions. Inclusive leadership, in particular, is the foundation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I recently heard that 70% of employees’ sense of being valued comes from what they observe and hear from their leaders. I think that while leadership can implement policies and programs, the essence lies in the leader's ability to create an inclusive environment.

It never happens

I think that if you are not being creative, then you are not being fully rational. If you don’t allow room for the imagination, you’re not actually being intelligent; you’re only being logical. Truly robust and rigorous decision-making must involve a degree of mental experimentation.
Have you ever heard of a CFO asking the design department for their thoughts on the numbers in the quarterly forecast before presenting them to the accountants?

““Creative people must always present their ideas to rational people. Note this never happens the other way round.””
— Rory Sutherland

One string in my bow

As a seasoned leadership coach and consultant specialising in training and organizational development, I have successfully designed and delivered sales leadership programs for individuals and teams across various industries. My approach focuses on fostering self-awareness, enhancing communication skills, and cultivating leadership competencies that drive organisational growth.

““The best of all leaders is the one who helps people so that eventually they don’t need him.”
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— Lao Tzu

Equality vs. equity

Deloitte ©

In the first image, it is assumed that everyone benefits from the same support. Do you think they are being treated equally?
In the middle image, individuals are given different support to make it possible for them to have equal access to the view. Are they being treated equitably?
In the third image, all three can see the view without any support because the inequality was addressed, and the systemic barrier has been removed.

Benefits of an audit

As a leader, knowing the cultural frameworks of your team members can be very helpful to block your own bias and adapt your leadership style to ensure that your team members are performing at their best. I think by conducting a DEI audit within your team or organisation may be beneficial to get a sense of where bias and discrimination lie and what challenges need to be addressed. Contact me via email and let’s arrange a DEI audit for your organisation.

““Empathy is the most powerful force that makes us human and one. Designing from a place of empathy elevates the human experience.””
— Dr. Puleng Makhoalibe

Hold your space

We often think that we add value by leaping in and giving advice. We don't even think about it because we've been taught that as soon as someone starts talking, a part of our brain goes: 'Let me interrupt them and tell them the answer.' However, even when you have the right answer, you have to ask yourself what the appropriate leadership act is. I've learned to hold my space and allow others to figure things out for themselves. Don't give them the answer, even when you know it.

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Internationals in DK

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In 2023, there were 318,000 full-time employees with a foreign background working in Denmark – an increase of 114% since 2008. Combined, they created value to the tune of DKK 322 billion – or 11.5% of Denmark’s total GDP. Denmark is facing a labour crisis and by 2033, the economy will need an additional 130,000 workers.


Unfortunately, only 35% of the highly qualified international workers are still in Denmark after 5 years, and 35% of all international students leave Denmark once they have finished their education. A national strategy for recruitment and retention is needed. Besides policy-changes, we need to start a movement for inclusion. Workplaces, civil society organisations, and informal networks must also take responsibility for making internationals feel welcome and included in Denmark.

Translating content

How do you translate content into practice in a scalable way?
Sometimes by making small optimisations you can substantially increase your revenue. I think the following questions are important to ask yourself before you launch your growth strategy:


  1. What do I know?

    - Identify, assess and list all the relevant knowledge and skills you have regarding the content you want to apply.


  2. What are my resources?

    - Identify the resources at your disposal, for example, financial resources, time, mentors, etc.


  3. What’s my experiment?

    - Plan and design your experiment by creating a hypothesis, defining your method, and setting measurable goals.


  4. How do I move forward?

    - Based on your experiment's results, create a detailed action plan which should include timelines, responsibilities, and key milestones.

  5. And how can I do that at scale?

    - Determine how you will expand by looking at things like your resources, challenges, and strategies for maintaining quality and efficiency at a larger scale.

Contact me via email for a deeper dive into your growth strategy.

Change your perspective

We all have our own perspectives. I think both comedy and creativity are subjective, as a comedian, no one can definitively say your joke isn't funny. In creativity, we get to share what we find beautiful, as if someone else doesn't like it, that's fine by me as it's not for everyone; it's for us. At the end of the day, what matters is whether I like it, and that's my favourite thing.

Beautiful distinction

Feeling insecure or doubting yourself can differ from doubting your work. In his book “The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles,” Bruce Lipton highlights the distinction between the conscious and subconscious mind. He explains that 95% of our lives are driven by subconscious patterns. I think that while we can easily recognise these patterns in others, identifying them in ourselves is much more challenging.

““Insecurity is only a hindrance when it stops you sharing what’s in your heart.””
— Rick Rubin

Invisible coach

How do you help leaders and senior executives to be themselves if they don’t know who they really are?

Sometimes leaders and senior executives express an uncertainty about their true identity, yet they reveal it unconsciously during our conversations. In my 1:1 sessions, I reflect their thoughts back to them, and often, it suddenly “lights up” for me while they remain unaware. When you truly listen, people disclose their needs, desires, dreams, and fears. They simultaneously claim they don’t know what they want or need, nor who they really are. I think often, people are too close to their own lives to see themselves clearly as it’s challenging to view oneself from one’s own perspective. Contact me via email to book a free 30 minute discovery meeting.

Nothing more, nothing less

No one can give you dignity, you simply must decide to have it. Dignity is about showing self-respect and maintaining quiet self-esteem. I think we are the sum total of all the decisions we've made in our lives, as each choice has shaped us into the person we are today. Never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone, or forgotten. So, instead, we should view each experience as a lesson.

Morning thoughts

I woke up this morning with Professor Richard Feynman quote reverberating around my head: “If you cannot be corrected without being offended, then you will not truly grow in life.”

1. When you are alone, mind your thoughts
2. When you are with friends, mind your words
3. When you are angry, mind your temper
4. When you are with a group, mind your behavior
5. When you are stressed, mind your emotions
6. When you are winning, mind your ego