1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

I have recently changed job during the global pandemic, not the easiest task to move companies when everyone is largely working remotely

2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have been very lucky to have worked in multiple fascinating initiatives during the last 10 years or so. I have managed to obtain extensive knowledge on conceptualising products and solutions around the digital space. With so much change happening in regards to digital transformation, many companies are looking for people with skills similar to mine, and I am often approached by head-hunters with really cool opportunities

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

In the current remote culture, whereas I get to work from home a couple of days per week, “organizing” time has been ever so challenging. I have found myself with more “family time”, as I now spend more time at home than I ever did before, but such does not necessarily mean that I am able to disconnect from work and my laptop. I think that mankind has been able to adjust to the new norm fairly quickly, we now have challenges ahead to ensure we can split work from family time even if we are at home.
Having said the above, I'm an early bird, I like to get up at 6ish, work from 6-7:30am, shower, then have bfast with my kids, before driving them to school. I have found that quality is better than quantity when it comes to spending time with my family.

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

In my new organization, everything is very different, it's neither better nor worse, it's simply very different. I have learned to reduce the comparison between cultures, procedures, tools, ways of working, … between the new and the old.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

It is far from being a new book, but it’s the only book I've read more than once.
Creativity Inc. its written by one of the co founders of Pixar studio, and I really enjoyed the different perspectives to “normal” behaviour

6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

I always like to lead by example. If I had to summarise my way of being/leading in 3 key sentences, these would be it;
.- please and thank you are mandatory
.- give as much context as possible when explaining things, ensuring team members understand what and why
.- always be the hardest worker in the room

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

I have got so overwhelmed while departing my last company. After 10 years, leaving was tough, a difficult decision I made as I needed a new start. When the word got out, and during my notice period, 100s of people reached out. Everyone wished me the best and I got unexpected warm wishes by so many people.
Having such reaction was really meaningful for me, it made the last 10 years of hard work really worth it