2022 01 27

Bubble hopping – how to get new perspectives on things

When my six-year-old son asks me what I do at work, my answer is simply “I help people collaborate and a lot of that is about asking them questions to make them think for themselves because they, just as you, most often have the answers themselves. They just need a little time to think.”

A little while ago, I stumbled upon an episode of a Swedish daily radio show. Not something I listen in on regularly, but this time it caught my attention. Special guest was Emma Stenström, Associate Professor at Stockholm School of Economics talking about how narrow we assort, communicate and get new (?) influences. And by trying this, I started connecting the dots in how to work with my clients to invite them to a new bubble at least for a moment.

Emma has a cool project with her students, challenging them to make contact with people of other beliefs, political views or just socio-economic groups that they seldom meet. To help the students see things from another perspective and mindset. Because Emma believes this is necessary if you are to manage people or lead businesses and enterprises (which her students often end up doing) in a sustainable way. (Listen to the episode here.) 

I don’t just listen to daily radio shows. I also try to invest in myself and developing my competence attending seminars, trainings and blocking time for solo reflection. On that topic, I took part in a two day training with Thomas Jordan on “Complexity and perspective awareness”. Two days learning about and experimenting with models and theories to reveal different ways of vieing a problem or a challenge ending up in an insight that we (and I) stress development processes and growth to an extent that backfires on ourselves.

Thomas is also part of IDG – Inner development goals  which is an initiative that defines five categories of capabilities, qualities and skills we need in order to achieve the 17 sustainable development goals . And this is an interesting project!

I definitely see myself as conscious and well educated when it comes to sustainability and environmental issues, working with several non-profits like IPEN and ChemSec and I also invest in understanding what a sustainable worklife really is through co-founding the innovation hub CoCreate at Garveriet in Floda. 

But still – taking on the 17 goals personally or in my work life and emit that I actually have some kind of impact have felt overwhelming. Until recently when I start connecting the dots visiting a few different bubbles like the ones described in this post. 

When my six-year-old son asks me what I do at work, my answer is simply “I help people collaborate and a lot of that is about asking them questions to make them think for themselves because they, just as you, most often have the answers themselves. They just need a little time to think.”

And that is exactly how my work connects to being a small but stubborn force to give the people I meet space for reflection and new perspectives – reaching the inner development goals. By inviting them to another bubble. 

Johan Norrfjärd
I work with people driven business development. Simply because I want to give momentum to the right kind of transformation. The transformation coming from vertical development that creates a better world for current and coming generations. I strive for trust, happiness and freedom in all collaborations and co-creations.
Heard of hell week?

Heard of hell week?

I just had a hell month. This autumn, September just flew by. I have never had so much to do, and I’m totally grateful for the opportunities presented to me by my clients and partners. It comes as the same time as a puppy enters my family (and office), my youngest son starts a new school and my wife starts a new job. And now, out on the other side where I’m grateful the light in the tunnel wasn’t a train, it got me thinking…

read more
Reflections after Beyond Retreat in Fulufjället national Park 2021

Reflections after Beyond Retreat in Fulufjället national Park 2021

Busy is the new stupid. Those words flashed by on LinkedIn a while ago. And it stills seems legit. The last year has taught me the importance of unscheduled time. Not without direction. But with focus on my own inner direction. This autumn started with the possibility to come back to that inner direction in the best way possible. Together with Siri Wikander and Niklas Lindhardt, I brought 10 leaders from different businesses to Fulufjället national Park for Beyond Retreat. And these are my key takeways from this cocreated journey.

read more
Time flies when you have fun!

Time flies when you have fun!

And this year really flew away! I have been privileged not to be affected too much by the pandemic and the last months I have been doing so much fun things, but now summer is sneaking into my life more and more and it is soon time for a few weeks out of office. But first I must share some great news!

read more
The Hybrid workplace – yet another new normal?

The Hybrid workplace – yet another new normal?

So I’m finally joining in the chant of the prophets on how to organize our work life post the pandemic. But I want to add a perspective I haven’t seen so much of, and that I find crucial – a growth mindset. I hope this article can give you interesting reading as well as practical tips on how to make a transition towards a growth mindset, which I see as one of the most important prerequisites in to the next new normal. and the next. And the next…

read more
Do you want to punch me in the face?

Do you want to punch me in the face?

The topic might be set due to that I’m just now reading the book Våldet (The violence) by Musse Hasselvall and Robert Svensson :). So, punching might of course be equal to give me feedback and share some thoughts.

read more
A brand new office at Garveriet in Floda!

A brand new office at Garveriet in Floda!

1st of April, Recreatio opens it’s first office att Garveriet (No joke). Garveriet is a really cool place for sustainability-focused businesses. A bunch of startups and small scale companies co-locates there, and I am really proud to call this home from now on.

read more
Recruiting a Science & Technical Advisor to IPEN

Recruiting a Science & Technical Advisor to IPEN

I get really warm inside every time a former client comes back with a new project. This was really the case when I was contacted by Maria Ekström at IPEN about some recruitment support. Together we have got deep into the IPEN’s needs in a growth process that implies a transition into a new organization and adding needed competence to the organization.

read more
My take on Agile – And why it doesn’t work!

My take on Agile – And why it doesn’t work!

I really thought I had seen the light, but while using agile frameworks I started to realize lots of companies just use agile to patch broken things and treat symptoms – and not the organizational disease they are suffering from. I reevaluated agile, and here is my take on the needs of modern management and HR.

read more