Blogging from my ipad

I am now blogging from my ipad. Lets see if this will make any sense

journaling...

It's a strange feeling as I am sitting in my room in Rotterdam. It's on the 11th floor, and since I washed the windows this morning, I can actually see the view it provides. This made me think I should write down some of all my thoughts. This post is just a journal of my those, as they come to me..

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It's been one of the toughest week of my life, our lives, in many ways. Last Friday, 22nd of July 2011, is a date that no Norwegian alive will ever forget. It was the day when a very different reality was imposed on our dear little country than what we are used to. I have been quite reflective since then, especially about the politicians in my country, who I often criticize. What has struck me more than anything is that they have led the country. Emotionally, rationally, steadily. In fact, I have felt very blessed. Every political party has shown why Norway, in the bottom of things, is a wonderful country to be from, even though it's easy to complain about. It has been particularly difficult being away from Norway in these days. I felt, more than once, that I should just go back, just to be with my people, with my family. However, I chose to stay here, and rather use the wonders of modern technology to stream Norwegian television 5-6 hours a day at home to feel like being in my Oslo.

Often, when talking about Norway, people from abroad speak about oil-money and an "easy life". Of course, this has its merits. But in the end "being Norwegian" has nothing to do with wealth, nor with material goods at all. It's an approach to life. A way of being. A way of seeing the worl. Nothing to do with "having it easy".

This strip of land in the very North of the world has always been one of the toughest places on Earth to survive. Hard. Weathered. Cold. Windy. Stormy. Dark. Bad soil. It is not where the great civilizations of the past came to build their cities. It is not where people chose to settle out of comfort. Norwegians have learnt how to live on this little piece of the planet. Always in peace. Always quietly going about our business. Working hard in order to live well. Taking care of each other. With absolute transparency. Valuing modesty. Personal sacrifice. Family.

This week, Norway has been just about the greatest country on Earth. How do we face terrorism? "With more Democracy. With more Humanity"

I feel more Norwegian than ever.

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on a different note completely.........

One thing that just struck me is that I have settled here now. Two weeks after moving into what will presumably be my room for the next two years, I feel comfortable. And it's very interesting, because I compare it to my life the last 10 years - since I moved away from home, and actually, I have never lived as comfortably as I am right now.

It's strange to express why that is, because for sure my position as AI VP Finance is as demanding and challenging as I wanted it to be. And for sure every day, from the second I walk into the office early morning - often an hour or two before the others, until the time I leave, always as one of the last, I am working hard. Of course, to a certain extent I get stressed and challenged, but I have come to a point where I appreciate that. Of course, my project and to-do lists are long as life. The demands from the AIESEC network and internally in the team, and especially from myself are sky high. Yet.... I am comfortable.

I think it's related to logistics somehow. Living a 5 minute walk from the office, having a nice place to live, having enough to support oneself, having joined a gym and having a great team around you - does that kind of thing. It makes you comfortable. And not the kind of comfort where people should say "get out of your comfort zone". Rather the kind of comfort that allows you to be everything you can be. To find energy to be the best you can be.

As August, my favorite month of the year approaches, I feel ready. To be my best. To do my best.

My little country - Norway

Mitt lille land
Et lite sted, en håndfull fred
slengt ut blant vidder og fjord

Mitt lille land
Der høye fjell står plantet
mellom hus og mennesker og ord
Og der stillhet og drømmer gror
Som et ekko i karrig jord

Mitt lille land
Der havet stryker mildt og mykt
som kjærtegn fra kyst til kyst

Mitt lille land
Der stjerner glir forbi
og blir et landskap når det blir lyst
mens natten står blek og tyst

Mitt lille land
Et lite sted en håndfull fred
slengt ut blant vidder og fjord

Mitt lille land
Der høye fjell står plantet
mellom hus og mennesker og ord
Og der stillhet og drømmer gror
Som et ekko i karrig jord

----

My little country
A little place, a handful of peace
thrown out among mountain plateau and fjords

My little country
Where high mountains are planted
among houses, people and words
Where silence and dreams grow
Like an echo in barren earth

My little country
Where the sea pats mild and soft
like it's caressing from coast to coast

My little country
Where stars glide by
and becomes landscapes when it gets lighter
while the night stands there - bleak and silent

My little country
A little place, a handful of peace
thrown out among mountain plateau and fjords

My little country
Where high mountains are planted
among houses, people and words
Where silence and dreams grow
Like an echo in barren earth

Who am I?

you are an independent leader.

personalDNA

about you

you are a leader

Your solid grounding in the practicalities of life, along with your self-assuredness and your willingness to appreciate new things make you a LEADER.

You're in touch with what is going on around you and adept at remaining down-to-earth and logical.

Although you're detail-oriented, this doesn't mean that you lose the big picture.

You tend to find beauty in form and efficiency, as opposed to finding it in broad-based, abstract concepts.

Never one to pass on an adventure, you're consistently seeking and finding new things, even in your immediate surroundings.

Because of this eagerness to pursue new experiences, you've learned a lot; your attention to detail means that you gain a great deal from your adventures.

The intellectual curiosity that drives you leads you to seek out causes of and reasons behind things.

Your confidence gives you the potential to take your general awareness and channel it into leadership.

You're not set on one way of doing things, and you often have the skills and persistence to find innovative ways of facing challenges.

You are well-attuned to your talents, and can deal with most problems that you face.

Your independent streak and masculine nature allow you to make decisions efficiently and to trust your instincts

You approach problems in an analytical way, not getting caught up in your own emotions. You are an independent thinker, not wedded to the preferences of others.

You do your own thing when it comes to clothing, guided more by practical concerns than by other people's notions of style.

The control you feel over your life is empowering to you-- you believe in your abilities and acknowledge your shortcomings. Explanations of the world that focus on destiny or fate don't really interest you. You take responsibility for what goes wrong in your life, and also for what goes well.

If you want to be different:

There's more to life than the practical - take some time to daydream and explore the aesthetic sides of things.

how you relate to others

you are independent

Your inward focus, trusting nature, and sharp sense of right and wrong make you INDEPENDENT.

Your thoughts and actions are not reliant on what others think about you; you have a clearly defined moral structure.

When it comes to others, you are very practical, expecting people to take care of themselves.

You generally believe the best about people, but you hold them to high standards.

Similarly, you believe in maintaining integrity, honor, and a sense of respect for those who have earned their success.

Trust needs to be earned with you; you're slow to forgive when people have violated your trust.

Spending time alone means a lot to you, as does keeping certain things private.

You quietly observe a lot about the world, giving you a keen sense of both how things are and how things should be.

You've learned that you need to prioritize your own feelings, as opposed to always considering others' feelings first.

If you want to be different:

Let your trust in others allow you to consider that interpersonal situations can be complex, and that people's feelings in those situations can take many forms.

Accordingly, in working harder to understand people's perspectives, you might find that their insights can help you make better decisions.

your personal dna maps

Here are personalDNA maps that uniquely represent your personality. Mouse over any part of the box or strip to learn more about the traits that the colors represent.

Independent Leader

To add this map to your website or blog, copy/paste this HTML into the body of a blog post or web page:

Independent Leader

To add this map to your website or blog, copy/paste this HTML into the body of a blog post or web page:

Some sites (LiveJournal, for instance) do not allow 'script' tags. Users of those sites are welcome to the copy full HTML of their personal DNA maps here.

your personality chart

»Glossary of Traits

This chart shows thirteen personality traits. Each bar indicates the percentage of test takers who entered a lower value for that trait than you did. For example, if Confidence is at 80, that means that 80% of people entered lower values for confidence questions than you did. Based on a sample of 30,000 users. Click here to learn more about the traits.

Confidence	LowHigh	88
Openness	LowHigh	90
Extroversion	LowHigh	34
Empathy	LowHigh	18
Trust in others	LowHigh	58
Agency	LowHigh	96
Masculinity	LowHigh	100
Femininity	LowHigh	0
Spontaneity	LowHigh	32
Attention to style	LowHigh	16
Authoritarianism	LowHigh	90
Earthy/Imaginative	ImaginativeEarthy	98
Aesthetic/Functional	FunctionalAesthetic	6

5,5 weeks on AIESEC International - doesn't time fly?

I have been in Rotterdam for almost 6 weeks, and it was gone by very fast. My suspicion is, time will speed up even more, so I thought I better get some thoughts down on paper.

Since I came here on May 1, I have had individual transition within Financial and Legal management for around 4 weeks. By the time the common team transition started 1,5 weeks ago, I already had a number of tasks and projects up and running. I like that, cause it makes me feel accomplished.

Getting everyone else here was really nice. Especially as finally I felt there were people I could talk to, about impressions, thoughts, feelings. I had M. as my roommate for two weeks - truly awesome, and have been living with D. for the last two. Both of them have given me loads of thinking and thoughts, which I really like. The strange thing about everyone else arriving, is both the reality and the perception.

Reality: My stage of discovery is different at any given point of time, as I have been here longer. (3-4 times as long as most).

Perception: Clearly, I am harder to connect to because of this. I "know" some stuff, (which also has to do with my role), which means that others even treat me as if I have been around for ages. They call me Papa Rolf.

It's interesting, and it's not necessarily uncomfortable. However, I realise that I have to make some choices myself to construct the life, as well as network I need, in order to feel good here.

AI life:

People ask: What's it like to be on AI? Answer: It's pretty normal life so far. You get up in the morning, have breakfast and coffee, go to the office. There, you work with loads of cool people on projects varying from the mundane to the super-strategic. Depending on the day it's super-challenging or confusing. AI serves the network. And they key question for me everyday is - how is what I am doing today serving the network. It resembles MC alot in terms of activities and responsibilities. The key difference is that 90% + of the organization you are leading you don't know. Because you never worked in that LC. Because you never were in that MC. Because you are not from that country. Because you didn't live there. Because when you interact with it and visit it, you are blinded by your own perceptions and interpretations.

I once said on this blog that you don't reach any conclusions if you don't jump to them at some point. The challenge of jumping increases, however, when you don't know how far the jump is before you make the leap.

Can you see the bottom? Can you see the other side?

I like it. I am challenged. And I am a bit alone. And I think that's perhaps good for me.

Individualism and Family

Following a discussion I had today I thought I'd write a longer blog post on this concept. I have had talks with loads of people in my life around various aspects of this so - warning: If you don't want to read a longer post on this just move on now :-)

Basic Unit

One of the things that I have observed with interest when living in different countries is the difference of unit count. The concept that family or network means more in certain societies than others which are more individually based is neither news nor particularly exciting. However, I do have some particular thoughts on what this leads to in a society, which I consider rather hidden and unintentional. Put simple, in Italy, where I used to live, the basic unit of society is family. Family can be large or small, include grandparents and friends, or just be a single mother and her daughter. In Norway, where I am from, the basic unit of society is the individual. It doesn't matter if you are an old man, a divorced woman, a 12-year old kid or a 30 year old married man. Society is constructed around the individual. Disclaimer: This doesn't mean family is not important, or that people don't care about their closest friends - it's just a different unit. Just like it doesn't mean that in Italy people don't look out for themselves, or build their own lives, or have independence.

Relationship with the state:

In my understanding the relationship people have with the state, or government is directly correlated to the unit. Where the family is the basic unit, the loyalty lies with that extended unit - whether it extends even to a village or a region of "us". Where individuals are the unit, the loyalty lies with the state - in the sense that each individual needs the state specifically. Disclaimer: This doesn't mean that in Norway people are more or less patriotic, nor does it mean that Italians don't have a relationship with the state.

Rights and obligations:

One of the consequences I see is the development of the concept of rights of the individual versus the state: The individual has rights versus the collective, which are very strong. While the obligations are often less observed, and there is a development towards less obligations, they are still clear. It is an obligation to pay taxes. To take care of individuals by the state (meaning taxes). An obligation of politicians to be accountable. At the same time there are few obligations versus family as a unit. On the other hand these obligations are strong and clear in Italy. It is an obligation to take care of the family - sometimes against the state as well.

Good or bad?:

While there are many excellent aspects of the individualistic concept, there are also many negative consequences. I will not write much about the positive, as usually Norway is described as "best country to live in" etc. etc. The negatives, however, are worth pointing out. Often these are either neglected, not seen as part of the whole structure or culture, or simply dismissed as individual choice. I will name a few without going into detail - and they all come from the deterioration of family as a concept as I see it:

• rising divorce rates
• children outside marriage/couple structures (mum and dad concepts disappear or change)
• social interaction
• obligations towards other people (not structures)
• loneliness amongst elderly people not taken care of by their family (instead obligation of state)
• abortion as a solution to free sex
• hardship when falling outside society (drug addicts f. ex.)

Now, what does all this mean? It probably we need to revisit our concepts of freedom of choice. What structures are unintentionally broken down which society then cannot rebuild?

ACHIEVE 2011

Yesterday I just completed what is my final National conference as MCP, and in many ways as a member of AIESEC Norway.

It was quite emotional for me, and at many points I was watching people, sessions and other things like a movie. More than anything, I feel proud of this AIESEC Norway. Of the path taken, of the people I see now. The focus, the passion, the priority. The will to be more - to do better.

The only thing left is the final sprint of the year as well as ensuring the sustainability of the organization for next year. 100 will be the milestone that will stay forever. That we will celebrate forever. I can't wait to see us succeed.

When I attended my first AIESEC conference in AIESEC Norway over 3 years ago, I had just been selected as Vice President of Talent Management of my Local Committee. My commitment was mediocre, my knowledge limited, my perspectives short term. As my later MCP told me this weekend - "You were a random member." Indeed.

For the last 3+ years my own path has followed that of AIESEC Norway hand in hand. As I have developed so has the organization. Or rather, as the organization has developed, I have had the opportunity to grow with it.

What is interesting for me is when people don't take certain opportunities because the external environment, f. ex. in the company is not so good. My AIESEC Norway, when random, when good, when distracted, when passionate, when structured and when not, has meant everything to me in terms of personal and professional development.

I have had the opportunity to formulate recruitment and talent policy in a local organization, and feel on my skin what happens when certain compromises are made. The processes were good - in theory - but that doesn't help much when the core is not. I have had the opportunity to develop, market, sell and deliver on products to some of the largest companies in Norway while sustaining the organization on a National level. I had the chance to lead an organization through fire and see impact in front of my eyes. I have been part of three executive boards, once as CEO of the whole organization. I have led three teams directly, one indirectly. I have been part of two virtual teams, one of which I have led. I have had the chance to manage and interact with our Board of Directors. I have had the pleasure of being the mentor of three amazing leaders on local level. I have done more or less everything that is possible in terms of an organization. Thank you AIESEC Norway.

But wait - I am still here. Still here with my heart and mind. And for the next weeks I will give it my all. The final sprint starts tomorrow morning.

Towards 100.

Final sprint

Finally my dearest "Back to the 80s" team is ready for our final sprint. Our final 3,5 months of impact and results. To leave behind an incredible experience with pride and energy.

What we want to leave behind:

Result items: (How we will measure our year)

• 100 X RE + pipeline
• FK delivered 100%
• LC Trondheim restarted fully
• 300,000 NOK surplus on operations to build reserves

Legacy items (How we will measure our sustainability as a leadership body):

• Full EB elects in all Local Committees who are prepared
• Financially sustainable LCs
• Corporate sales success in LCs
• Quality kick-ass MC transition
• Permanently reduce accountancy and audit costs
• Financially sustainable MC 11-12 through grant applications and secure corporate incomes
• New FK project applied for
• Books ready for clean closing

Team Experience

• Complete and fulfilled team experience on all levels

I am the proudest MCP in the world.

I have no idea where I found these talented, high-performing, resilient, result-oriented, funny, sarcastic, easily annoyed, happy, engaging, honest, supportive, beautiful humans that are my team. Thank you for the journey so far. The ups and downs. The results and the failures. They are ours to keep forever.

Let's be scared and proud together. Leading together. It is time for our final.

Management --> Leadership

Time to leave the management comfort zone, as K. pointed out today. Time to enter the uncomfort zone of Leadership again.

Here we go. 4 months left

2 months that flew by

It's been almost two months since I wrote anything on this blog, which only goes to show the intensity of my life in that period. Briefly said:

• 2 weeks of an FK seminar and project delivery time
• 1 week of pan-national Scandinavian conference in Copenhagen, where my successor got elected
• 1 week of chairing Winter NatCo in Hungary, an outstanding experience
• 1 week of managing urgent and important matters
• 2 weeks in Mexico at the International Presidents' meeting

While all this has been happening we have arrived at 61 Exchanges Realized for our 10-11 term in AIESEC Norway. And with 4 months to go, including the summer peak for sure we have the chance to make history.

More than anything I have started to really reflect about my AIESEC Experience. The 4 different leadership roles I have had, and especially the President's role that I am living every year this year has changed me fundamentally. To an ever larger extent I see my purpose as serving this extraordinary organization. Up until the last two weeks that was mainly AIESEC Norway, and organization that was in disarray when I joined but is starting to find its identity, while still being fragile. Sincerely, I feel proud of my experience and my contribution. I feel that I have made a difference in loads of people's lives, as well as for the future of this organization.

But now what? IPM is well known among Member Committee Presidents (of which I am the current in Norway) to deeply impact those who care about the future also of the global organization. Those striped people from AIESEC International leading the organization and making you wonder.

Inspired and engaged, a part of me suddenly got this strong urge to keep serving, to keep learning. On the other hand, is that the right path for me. Is it the right choice in this moment in time? Or is it time to close the organizational experience with pride and success?

I guess I will feel it in some way or another next couple of weeks in Norway. Exciting times? For sure choices to be made. Where will the coin drop? Wish me luck in my pondering...

Application time

In 4 days the applications for the MC (National Board) in AIESEC Norway will close. Who will apply? And how will I feel?

I think for all leaders, succession is one of the key indicators of success. Whether you are prime minister, or a corner shop owner, the quality of the leadership that follows yours is perhaps one of the strongest indicators of your own performance.

AIESEC Norway is a growing country and the quality of the membership is growing as well. The question of how many will jump into the crazy pool of changing their life for one year is, however, one of the key questions now. Having been MC twice, and it now being almost exactly 2 years since I myself was selected, I can truly sign up to the "life changing experience" promise.

Two years since I first had water thrown over me, not having any idea what job I was getting into (literally as well as figuratively speaking it turned out).

Now, as deadline time closes begins my final sprint as well. 6 more months of impact in this organization. 6 more months of driving growth, of activating leadership, of seeing happy faces of members who work for and go on Exchange.

And who will lead AIESEC Norway next? Who will step into an MC role? I don't know. Excited and anxious. Perhaps you who is reading this will apply? Only you know