By: Sara Nyström Lennqvist Did you know that most people attend their business meetings blindfolded? Of course, not literally, but metaphorically speaking. We tend to focus on what is being said and miss many of the non-verbal signals that are constantly given to us and that are of great value. We all have some sort of gut feeling that tells us whether something is positive or negative. For some of us it is easier to read other peoples’ emotions than for others. If you belong to the latter group there is no need to worry as everybody can train this skill. Actually, most people need to practice in order to be able to distinguish the very brief facial expressions that we all have, called micro expressions. Micro expressions – a good way to recognize emotions Micro expressions are involuntary facial muscle movements that last for half a second or shorter and reveal hidden emotions. Research has been conducted for over 50 years and show that micro expressions are universal, meaning that we all have them no matter where we come from. They are also subconscious and innate. This means that small babies don’t learn this skill. They know already from birth how to show emotions (even when born blind or deaf). Micro expressions are distinct from facial expressions in general in that they are universal, spontaneous, tough to fake, and last for only a fraction of second. As a consequence, they represent a very good way to recognize human feelings and emotions. Emotions play an important role in negotiations Most of us see ourselves as rational decision makers. However, research shows that emotions play an important role in negotiations. To be able to negotiate well we need to be able to deal with those emotions and utilize them to our advantage. For example, people may become afraid during negotiations that they will be outwitted by the other party. They may become anxious about the consequences of the negotiations should they go against their goals. They may be hopeful that they will get what they want or surprised when they discover an aspect they were not aware of before the negotiations started. They may experience elation that they have prevailed through the negotiations, and equally, disappointed if they didn’t get what they had hoped for. When we are able to recognize those emotions, we will gain an advantage as we are able to base our negotiation on the real needs. Therefore, we also increase the chances of finding a common ground. As a matter of fact, if you can’t read what your counterpart is feeling and instead focus only on what he or she is saying, you’re highly unlikely to achieve everything you could have. An honest window into how your counterpart is feeling Experienced negotiators have learned how to mask their true feelings. They choose their words, tone, body language, and expressions carefully. To most observers, they often appear neutral. Or they are able to convincingly fake an emotion if they think it will help them advance their own interests. However, there is a way to read what your counterpart is feeling even if they are deliberately trying to hide it from you. The secret is to pay attention to the spontaneous and involuntary micro expressions, that rapidly flit across everyone’s faces at times of intense emotion. If you know what to look for, they can provide an instant, honest window into how your counterpart is feeling. Here are some examples of common micro expressions: It is quite easy to recognize the meaning behind the expression on a still photo. However, in a real-life situation, when the stakes are high and the micro expression lasts for as little as one 25th of a second, it’s an entirely different game. Effective negotiators are naturally good readers of micro expressions One might theorize that one of the key differences between exceptional negotiators or salespeople and those who are merely average is the ability to read these micro expressions and strategically steer them toward a preferred outcome. Studies conducted in various companies, in different countries, have shown precisely this. Those who score high on a non-verbal recognition test sell 20% more. In an international pharmaceutical company, the top three sales representatives scored on average 50% on the first Micro Expressions Test, while the lower-end sellers scored on average 5%. The persons who scored the best on the Micro Expressions Test also sold on average 25% more products compared to low scorers. In a top insurance company, it was found that the top-half of sales representatives had a 20% higher Micro Expressions Test score than the lower-half sellers. Furthermore, a study conducted at a BMW showroom in Rome, Italy, showed that high performers (who had sold more than 60 automobiles in the most recent quarter) scored almost twice as high on the test as low performers. From all these studies we can conclude that effective negotiators seem to be naturally good readers of micro expressions. "Emotional Intelligence is twice more important for success than technical and cognitive skills combined." – Daniel Goleman The ability to read other peoples’ emotions can be improved What if you don’t have this natural ability to read others? There is good news! Reading micro expressions isn’t an ability you either have or don’t have. Just like riding a bicycle or driving a car, you can learn it, practice, and get better at it over time. Actually, studies have shown that interactive training in reading micro expressions can increase your emotional intelligence (EQ) by an average of 10% in just four hours! The IQ you were born with remains the same throughout life, but your EQ can be increased. 3 Tips on How to Excel in Negotiations: Pay attention to the face of your counterpart. When you ask an important question in a negotiation, make sure to pay attention to your counterpart’s face for at least four seconds, instead of just listening to the words. This is often a moment of surprise which the client is not prepared for. Your client must first decipher the meaning of your question before giving a verbal answer to it. By then, he or she has, subconciously, already shown a first true emotional reaction with the facial muscles. Make your counterpart listen. During a negotiation it is easier to control our expressions when we are talking. So, don’t ask too many open questions. Instead, make your counterpart listen by describing what you want or share an anecdote about another negotiating partner who shared similar concerns and watch the response as he or she listens. The guard will lower a little and you’ll be able to see the honest reactions to what you’re saying. Make use of these reactions to plan the next phase of the conversation. Give your counterparts alternatives to choose from. As you present a list of choices to your counterparts, their micro expressions will reveal which they like and which they don’t, sometimes even before they’re consciously aware of their preferences. Watch closely to see what their faces tell you about each option and use this information as you proceed in the conversation. "I sincerely believe that humanity is in great need of upgrading its ability to communicate. We need to understand each other better. Our world needs more emotional intelligence." – Sara Nyström Lennqvist How might this work in practice? Imagine you’re a consultant who has proposed a certain fee for your services: “Based on your requirements, we can propose $100,000 as the consultancy fee for this project.” If you see your potential client show the micro expression of disgust, you can calibrate accordingly and lower your price without skipping a beat: “But because we anticipate a longer term collaboration and are excited about the direction your business is heading in, we can offer you 25% discount.” What if you instead recognized an expression of happiness or contempt after the initial offer? Maybe your counterpart expected a higher price, or doubts that you’re offering the premium level of service. You could quickly adjust your price in the opposite direction: “That’s the basic fee which covers X and Y. For your project I also recommend our entire suite of services including A, B and C, which means the total price would be closer to $150,000.” By reading other peoples’ body language and micro expressions we are simply able to respond to the feedback they don’t even realize they are giving. This way we stay in control of the dialogue and achieve better outcomes during our negotiations. Sara Nyström Lennqvist is the Executive Director of the world’s leading certification training organization in Body Language for business and also runs her own business within the same field. Sara is a certified Body Language Master Trainer and Micro Expressions Trainer, Certified Impact Coach and Licensed Mental Trainer. She has an extensive experience in communication from various sectors (tourism, diplomacy, government, leadership), has an abundant international life and working experience and speaks 8 languages. She regularly conducts Body Language trainings around the world and has also given a training at the UN.

Is your inbox always full? Uh-oh! As the public awareness grows of how we humans negatively affect the planet, the "blame game" has never been more intense. But is judging and blaming each others’ habits really the best way forward? While it might be hard to admit, we all have habits that harm the planet in one way or another. So instead of focusing on what others do wrong, it might be time to focus on things that we can do right, and look for ways in which to contribute that suits our individual lifestyle. We're all different people with different ways of living. Some things that one person is willing to give up might be completely different from what another person is willing to give up. While it might be relatively easy for one person to give up driving, flying, and eating meat, giving up those particular things might present an insurmountable challenge for someone else. There are, however, plenty of other things that a person can do to decrease their environmental footprint. We have listed five things most people don't even think about that affects our planet negatively. Which one would you be willing to give up and which one is a big no-no? 1 - STRESS Yep, you read that right - Stress is an environmental hazard. When we are stressed, we tend to make more short-sighted decisions - such as taking the car rather than the bus to work, picking up fast-food in favour of cooking something more environmentally-friendly at home, or buying loads of things we don’t really need. Stress is also the bad guy behind excessive travelling, as the reason so many of us chose to jet off for the weekend is - you guessed it - to get a break from the stress in our everyday lives. 2 - A FULL INBOX That's right! E-mail takes up a lot of server space, and servers require huge amounts of electricity to run. By sticking to an “inbox-zero”-approach, you will save on server-storage and electricity. A study by ICF International and McAfee revealed that storing 1GB of e-mail consumes 32.1 kWh a year. How crazy is that? 3 - FLUSHING THE TOILET Do you flush every time you use the toilet? Most of us do–even if we live alone. While this might be far down on the list of adjustments you’re willing to make to decrease your environmental footprint, the fact is that by tweaking your flushing habits, you could save gallons of water. Did you know, for example, that peeing in the shower is actually more hygienic, and better for the environment, than using the toilet? 4 - DRINKING COFFEE If you're a coffee lover, the idea of giving up coffee might be another one of those adjustments you’re simply not willing to make. Unfortunately, the coffee trade isn’t easy on our planet. Not only does it cause deforestation, but the process of turning the fruit of the coffea plant into ready-to-brew, ground coffee, also produces a lot of waste. 5 - BUYING NEW JEANS It might surprise you to learn that the production of Jeans, a staple item in pretty much everyone’s closet, has a huge environmental impact, as they require tons of water and chemicals to produce. To produce a single pair requires approximately 2,900 gallons - or about seventy bathtubs - of water!  So instead of buying a new pair of jeans, consider getting them second hand, or through clothes-swapping with someone else. What did you think about this list? Share your thoughts by sharing!

Talent attraction and retention will continue to be some of the biggest work-place challenges in 2020, so selling a positive Employee Experience is essential for helping to solve these problems. Employer Branding is one of the newest and most promising ways for companies to promote themselves, their culture, and their values, to potential employees. With very little cost, a company can present its workplace, teams and activities, by simply using the growing power of social networking sites – bringing in a steady flow of new talent ‘fans’ who want to work at a company that matches their own personal values and goals. At WorkLife Arena, Employee Experience will be a major focus. Until then, here are 5 useful tips, so you can get started with Employer Branding in your company – big or small. 1 – Low Cost Action Companies do not always need to build a dedicated website in order to communicate what amazing employers they are. This makes Employer Branding, through social media, a great and affordable communication strategy for companies that need to attract talent, grow fast, and keep their teams onboard, at a low cost. You can see some amazing examples of companies, such as Starbucks Jobs on Instagram, showing their teams at work – and play, which gives a great insight into the culture and values of the organisation. 2 – Plan Ahead Creating a plan before you start your Employer Branding communication is essential. Decide on what message you want to present – and who do you want to see it. Think WHAT, HOW, WHERE and WHEN. You must also think about who will manage the social media pages, what kind of posts are best for getting your message across, and the amount of time that needs to be invested in the tasks, so that you reach your goals. As with any marketing campaign, you should also set a timeline, track results v goals – tweaking, and improving, the messaging, as you go. 3 – Research Trends When looking into building a Facebook or LinkedIn page for your company, research how similar companies to yours, are using their pages on social networks. Find out what videos they’ve created, promotions they’re running, and what other kinds of content they’re using. Make sure that your page is unique though, don’t just copy them! 4 – Be Relevant Consider sharing other people’s content, related to your industry. Being a resource for the curation of the latest industry news, shows that you are in touch with current trends and have an opinion on the things that matter in your sector – be known as a “Thought Leader”. 5 – Tell your story You must communicate on a regular basis, WHY people work for your company. Share genuine stories from your teams; let them show how they work day-to-day, what motivates them, and what common goal they are working towards. It’s clear that a positive Employee Experience can actually start from the moment someone discovers your company and starts to follow you on social media. Their opinion of your company becomes more intense once they apply for a job, become employed, and then lasts right up until the moment they leave the company, on their final day. Or does it really just stop there? Some people even become alumni and ambassadors for their former employers – so perhaps the Employee Experience never really ends! Listen to experts such as the Rock Star Professor, Micael Dahlén from Stockholm School of Economics talk about improving Employee Experience on April 24th. You can find more information and sign up for tickets here: WorkLife Arena event page!

By: Kristina Närman Self-leadership, a necessity to stay relevant in today’s and tomorrow’s fast and ever-changing professional life. But self-leadership 1.0 is no longer enough, it’s time to upgrade to self-leadership 2.0. Self-leadership is something that more and more organizations talk about and start implementing. And no surprise, as self-leadership is a key to keeping up with today’s and tomorrow’s fast and ever-changing professional life. Studies at Harvard University has found that the most important reasons to increase self-leadership is faster decision-making and to unleash the employees’ full potential. Fast decision-making is crucial to stay relevant in a changing market; the person who sees the need has to be able to implement the solution. If not, the organization will be too slow. Unleashing the employees’ full potential is closely connected to engagement. And we’re facing sort of an engagement crisis, with less than 20% engaged employees according to Gallup. Self-leadership is one way to increase engagement as it includes important aspects of human motivation. Autonomy, Belonging and Competence is the ABC of highly motivated and engaged employees according to one of the most well-recognized theories on human motivation, the Self-determination Theory. Autonomy means you do something because you want to, not because you have to, and is the basis of self-leadership. Belonging, or relatedness, means to feel that you’re being cared for, respected and connected to people around you. In my opinion this occurs when you’re true to your values and work with people with similar values, one key ingredient in successful self-leadership. Competence is about your talents and contribution being recognized and appreciated by the organization. Developing self-leadership includes gaining awareness of your unique strengths and how you want to use them, which strengthens the sense of competence. I would argue self-leadership as a win-win-win for individuals, organizations and society. Why? Increased self-leadership can make us happier, healthier and help us unleash our full potential. A win for us as individuals (no further explanation needed). A win for our organizations both in terms of increased relevance, benefit and profit but also declining sick-listing frequency etc., and for the same reason also a win for society. Self-leadership So, what is self-leadership? Well, there seems to be as many answers to that as there are people and organizations working with self-leadership out there. For some, self-leadership means planning your own work and no more. For some, self-leadership also includes goal-setting, making budgets, deciding whom to recruit (or fire) etc. Consequently, self-leadership has no firm and common definition but each person and organization need to identify their common understanding of the term. "It’s about self-awareness – to understand what’s important to you and what you want to achieve in life". Developing self-leadership is in my opinion no different from developing leadership. Might be even clearer in the case of self-leadership that leadership starts with yourself. It’s about self-awareness – to understand what’s important to you and what you want to achieve in life. It’s about knowing your unique strengths and talents and what you need to develop these. It’s about growing our self-belief, realizing we can do so much more than we think, so that we dare to use our creativity and full potential. But with the speed of change and the complex challenges we’re facing today, self-leadership 1.0 is no longer enough. It’s time to upgrade to self-leadership 2.0! Self-leadership 2.0 If self-leadership 1.0 means taking responsibility for your own growth, self-leadership 2.0 means taking responsibility also for our common growth. For developing the organization, the business, how we work, what we do, where we’re heading… This is important because we need all our brains and our collective power to find solutions to the complex challenges we’re facing. Everyone’s talents and skills have to be utilized in the very best way. We then need self-leaders 2.0 that are aware of their unique strengths but also have the ability to see how they complement each-other and contribute to the organization’s evolvement in the very best way. Another aspect is idea generation. Research has found that the relation between the total number of ideas and the number of good ideas is constant. Thus, to get a good idea the best we can do is to generate many ideas. Ideas also tend to get better when we add different perspectives, competences, experiences, backgrounds etc. In an organization with self-leaders 2.0 everyone is involved in idea generation and innovation. Because making sure the organization stays relevant is everyone’s responsibility. The recipe: Time, love and action How can we level up the self-leadership to 2.0? I’ve found three key ingredients, just as relevant for you as an individual as for a whole team or organization: Time, Love and Action. Time We have to prioritize developing and growing our self-leadership, and I’m sorry to say it’s no quick fix. Rather a never-ending story… We have to continuously clear spots in our calendars when we give ourselves the opportunity to gain self-awareness, grow our self-knowledge and expand our self-belief. We also have to remember nothing is constant so our self-leadership will change over time. Love Development and growth per se mean entering the unknown. Unfortunately, our brains are hardwired to equal the unknown and danger. Great back then at the savanna, not so helpful in today’s professional life… Furthermore, we’re often trained to be super critical. Critical thinking is great, but sometimes we would benefit from pausing it for a while. For example, when trying out new things and generating ideas. New ideas need love and warmth to grow. So instead of immediately focusing on the problems (what will not work, what we haven’t figured out yet) my recommendation is to start with actively seeking for the good; What’s great with this idea, why is this good, how can we build on that? And remember, this goes for your own ideas as well as your colleagues’. An attitude of love creates a culture that allows experimenting and not least important, failure. Which brings us to the third key – action. Action If you should remember one thing from reading this article it’s this: Action Changes Things. We can have the most brilliant ideas and make the smartest strategies but you know what? Nothing will happen before we act. As Walt Disney said: “The way to get started is to quit talking and start doing”. But again, our brains can cause some problems. It turns out our brains are really good at overrating risks. And acting mean taking a certain amount of risk. Again, I recommend to add some love to the equation. Instead of spending loads of time creating the worst-case scenario, use some time to create the best-case scenario. Help your brain get the risk analysis right. It’s also very easy to become a bit overambitious when it comes to action and try to do everything at once. But the hardest thing is to start. So, by making the start as easy as possible by identifying one tiny little action you could easily take, you’re giving yourself great conditions for continuous success. Time to level up! After all, leveling up the self-leadership comes down to this: courage. Courage to believe in ourselves, our ideas and our vision for the future. Courage to unleash our creativity and good craziness. Courage to let go of control and the illusion of safety that hierarchy brings. And last but not least, courage to act. It’s not easy but if we get it right, we’ll have a future proof, sustainable organization with happy, engaged employees that together make sure the organization evolves. Kristina Närman, self-leadership and change consultant, runs a company that helps organizations grow and develop self-leadership, including innovation and “interpreneurship”.

By: Pontus F. Christoffersen Pretty much anyone you ask could share a couple of pointers regarding presentation techniques. Thing is, most of the advice you’d get are not only things you probably already knew but are more often than not also fundamentally incorrect. So, to kill some of the myths and correct some common misconceptions, here are three prevalent mistakes we tend to do before or during a presentation - and what you should do instead to get better results. Misconception No1. You need to prepare and memorize your body language. This is amongst the dumbest advice out there. You never prepare or rehearse any gestures before a regular conversation yet they come to you naturally, but for some reason we’ve started to think that we need to do so before a presentation. Weird. Result - you will appear 50% insecure and 50% fake. "Anxiousness is your body’s response to not knowing how to deal with a specific situation." Instead, what I want you to do is spend some time managing your nervousness. That's the main reason your body language freezes during presentations. We easily get uncomfortable and think more about how we are perceived than what we want to say. Here is something most people don’t know about nervousness, it’s actually quite easy to overcome. Anxiousness is your body’s response to not knowing how to deal with a specific situation. It’s not standing in front of a crowd per se that gets you uncomfortable, it’s the nightmare scenario you picture in you mind: ”What if I forget what to say and look like a fool?” The best way to overcome your nervousness is to answer three simple questions that’ll solve the following problem: if anything happens - what do I do then? Ask yourself this: What could go wrong during the presentation? How can I prepare to make sure that doesn’t happen? If it does happen anyway, what do I say or do in order to deal with the situation? When you know what to do when something goes wrong you’ll kill your own insecurity - and with no insecurity, nervousness cannot exist. Misconception No 2. You have to use all the time you’ve been assigned. You've got 10 minutes to present, so you absolutely need to give a 10 minute presentation, right? Wrong. You only need to say what you need to say to get your message across. If you can do it in 6 minutes instead of 10, then do it. I promise you the audience will thank your it. Misconception No 3. Your goal is to appear as professional as possible when talking to your managers or clients. It doesn't matter who the person is or what position they hold, we tend to much rather listen to someone who is being themself and who’ll use simple words or explanations, than a professional robot who does everything in their power to appear professional. Presenting a topic as yourself is powerful not only because of the relatability but because you’ll believe in what you’re saying - giving your presentation a more grounded feel. Pontus F. Christoffersen is a rhetoric consultant, lecturer and communication trainer at the bureau Snacka Snyggt. Find out more at www.snackasnyggt.se

Carolin Solskär is a former sailor who after nine years at sea - and crossing the Atlantic nine times - changed direction by entering the world of technology. In 2017 Carolin initiated and co-organised me too Sweden - a demonstration against sexual violence and harassment - as a response to the global me too movement. The rally was organised in 14 different cities with thousands of people attending and millions watching live on TV. Today, Carolin is a sought after lecturer and podcaster who talks about equality, sustainability, empowerment, the power of dreaming big and how to permanently position yourself outside your comfort zone. Due to her engagement and proactivity in encouraging more women to work in the tech industry - and her overall fight for an equal society - Carolin was awarded the title "IT Woman of the Year 2019". In addition to this she has been named "Super Communicator of the Year 2018", "The Great Communication Honor Award 2018", "Challenger of the Year 2017" and finalist for "Future Leader of the Year 2017". Carolin has a double major in Computer Science and Business, and during her studies she founded a nationwide organisation for entrepreneurship at all universities in Sweden - Unipreneurs Network - as well as initiated Sweden’s biggest entrepreneur hackathon for students, Create Squared.  We caught up with Carolin for an interview. Tell us a little bit about you goals, what would you like to accomplish? My goal is to save the world. That might sound silly, but that's what I'm aiming for. I don't know how yet, but everything I do is a step in that direction. "Saving the world" is a big mission, and looking at the world and our society, there is a lot of things that needs to be saved. Environmental issues, poverty, animal cruelty, inequality and the list goes on. I want to be part in solving at least one of these issues. I know that won't happen today or next week, but by always having that mission in the back of my head, I know that all my decisions will lead me in that direction. If you wouldn’t have chosen this job and business, what do you think you would work with? I've always wanted to become an actress or an author. I like to think, and hope, that if I hadn't been working in the tech industry, I would have followed one or both of those passions. What would say are the biggest obstacles you’ve faced in your journey? I'm suffering from depression and that is something I've been struggling with all my life. Sometimes I'm the happiest woman alive, and then there are episodes of my life where I can't see the meaning with anything. When I have that "down time" I find it very hard to motivate myself to keep doing everything that I'm doing, and most of my energy goes to coping with myself and my feelings. I think this is why it is so important for me to work with something with a true purpose, and that's why my goal is to save the world. Because I know that even when I'm depressed and not feeling great, my motivation for making the world a better place will never disappear. What are the top three factors you would attribute to your success? Firstly, surprisingly maybe, my depression. Because of it, I always seek happiness. Whatever I do in life is a result of me trying to find something that makes me happy. I see so many people trying to be successful by all the wrong reasons, some of them succeed, some of them fail. But in the end, they're not happy. Not all the money or acknowledgment in the world can buy you happiness. Due to that, I feel that I can't fail, because as long as I do things that makes me happy, I'm doing the right thing. Secondly, as a result of being driven by happiness, I've always been quite daring. I've done a lot of stuff that has had a high risk of failing (and many have). You can't win big if you not take high risks. I think that if you're to focused on your career and "making the right strategic choice", you'll most likely be less risk averse. If you want to be successful, you have to find a way to stand out from the crowd, and that means doing things that no one else has done before. Thirdly, I've never been afraid of getting my hands dirty. I got my first job when I was 12 years old, and have been working hard ever since. Working as a sailor for 9 years taught me a lot about that. When you're on a boat you have to do your job no matter what the circumstances. Even if the weather is horrible and your caught in a storm for weeks, or if you're having a bad day or feeling sick, there is no one else there to do your work for you. When I want something done, or see something I want to change, I'm not waiting around for someone else to fix it, I take matters into my own hands and make stuff happen. What do you do to get ”in the zone” if you feel out of focus? I take a break and go for a walk, on a run or goes to the gym. To be outside getting some fresh air and some sunlight is the best way for me to find my focus again. What is your best memory? When I was 22 I lived in a Maya village in the jungle of Belize. There I met a woman named Fredrika. She was 27 at the time and a mother of 3. She invited me to her home and asked me all types of questions about my life. "How does it feel to ride a train?" "How does it feel like flying an airplane?". She told me of her dream of building a second floor on the hut she was living in, which felt like such an innovative thought to have while sitting there in the middle of the jungle. She took out a big piece of paper on which she had painted her business plan, which she told me about. In the village where she lives, the Indians made a living by the cacao field they owned. Fredrika had realised that the cacao beans they sold, was then made into chocolate. So she thought; why not make the chocolate myself? She had started making her own chocolate bars and told me that she had a friend living 2 hours away that had a computer and internet. She was gonna make a website and distribute her chocolate all over the world. Is there something you would like to get better at? Taking time to celebrate and enjoy the present. I always run very fast, and sometimes I find myself not even taking the time to enjoy everything great that is happening around me, because I'm so focused on what will be happening next. But I'm working hard on being better at that. I actually resigned from my work this week - as Head of Innovation at Nordic Tech House - and will now take some time to just figure out my next steps and focus on my well-being. As mentioned, my main focus is to be happy, and I feel that I need some time for reflection and to understand what makes me happy right now. Humans are not permanent, we're always changing and developing. What made me happy a year ago is necessarily the same as what makes me happy now. Do you have any fears? I'm afraid of being involuntary alone. I'm a true individualist and enjoy my own company as much as I enjoy being with a small group of friends or in a big crowd of people. I have no problem spending a Friday night by myself just reading a book, but that is something I chose. Everytime I hear a story of an old person who died in their home and they didn't find the body until the smell went into the neighbor's apartment, I get so sad. I feel sad for that human and I feel very scared that I will end up like that. That no one will love me or miss me. How are you as a leader? I believe a lot in ownership and taking responsibility. I'm not the type of leader who tells you what to do. I tell you what I need from you, and the rest is up to you to figure out. Whenever we start up a new project at work, we start of with a meeting where I ask everyone with the specific domain expertise how much time they need to solve their specific task and what they need from me and the rest of the team in order to make that happen. By doing so, I give everyone the freedom to work in the way they as the expert finds most effective, but I also put the responsibility on them to keep their word. Everyone own their part of the process. I'm of course always there supporting and helping out when anyone need me. I always make sure to hire the brightest and most talented people I can find, and see myself as the person who just need to make sure we're all moving in the same direction. 10 Quick with Carolin: Work alone or with a partner?  - With a partner Movies or Series? - Series Sour or salty?  - Salty Pizza or hamburger?  - Pizza Morning or evening?  - Morning MacBook or PC? - MacBook Cat or dog? - Dog Beach life or City life? - City life Apartment or House?  - Apartment Winter or Summer? - Summer

By: Josefine Sandahl Many organizations offer miscellaneous health benefits without having any specific plan for what they wish to achieve. Hence, they may get limited returns for their expenses. Addressing well-being in a proactive and strategic manner will result in improved working environment, enhanced efficiency and consequently significant positive financial impact and competitiveness. 3 steps to develop a strategic plan for well-being 1. Work fact based First and foremost, one should start by assessing the actual well-being status of all employees. A fact-based approach will improve understanding of the current situation, and identify challenging areas that needs to be addressed, both on individual and organizational level. Better knowledge of the status will encourage the will for transformation. It will also contribute to identify which activities should be focused on and enable measurement of results through the process. 2. Create flexibility A strategic plan for well-being shall always include common agreed and measurable short- and long-term goals. A frequent mistake we often see is that organizations prepare plans with too detailed solutions, this may cause demotivation and reduced willingness to change. It is therefore recommended that the employees are offered flexibility with regards to means and methods, as we humans often are more prone to changes if we are allowed some influence. However, continuity and endurance are essential to succeed. A few anti-stress lectures will hardly result in any long-term results. Hence, building and maintaining well-being requires continuous attention, just as maintaining one’s physical health requires regular activity. 3. Use a proactive approach To create a sustainable working environment requires long term efforts to promote well-being. Our last advice to reach a stage where the organization can work strategic to create well-being is to focus on proactive measures. To create a sustainable working environment requires long term efforts to promote wellbeing. Reactive actions can be both costly and negative for efficiency and engagement. Preventive and constructive work with well-being requires knowledge and insight of both the individual and the organization, this to make the healthy and correct choices, both instantly and for the long term. Research shows that strategic well-being is a profitable investment! Dear Change was founded by Josefine Sandahl as an initiative to work with employee physical and mental well-being in a strategic manner.

By: Carina Grönholm Why is it that we tend to be so hard on ourselves? And the main question: Does it have to be that way? I say NO, it does not! It’s all up to you to make your own changes. You have that power. How did it all start? After many exciting, fast-paced and fun years in the hospitality business I started noticing that many of my peers were not using the same words as I did to describe our work. I was hearing descriptions like “stressful”, “heavy”, “ungrateful”, “tough”, “bad”, “lack of leadership”, etc. This experience made me realize that although we were all correct in our opinions, each of us had different perspectives. When I brought up the topic in discussions, my co-workers said they loved the job but seemed to have forgotten their “why”—why they did the work in the first place and what their underlying motivation was. This made me a bit sad. I had never held a job where I did not want to be. With this new insight, I realized that many people around me—not just those in the hospitality industry were feeling stuck, trapped and unhappy where they were. This realization was also what sparked my interest in coaching, personal development, leadership, teamwork and the dynamics of interpersonal interaction. It’s all about your mindset Have you noticed that we, as human beings, tend to blame others for things that happen to us? “It was not me, it was her…” or “The lack of leadership makes this job so hard…” or “What is the point of saying anything? Nobody ever listens anyway…” Do any of those sentences sound familiar? I bet they do! You might even have used them yourself. It‘s ok—it’s simply a sign that you are human. My mindset has always led me to look for “the golden nugget” in every person and situation. I think that, without even knowing it, this is what has kept me from going insane many times. Today I see it both as a gift and sometimes as a curse. I had no idea about things like mindset before I got into coaching. While educating myself I discovered so many exciting, new and even scary things about myself. They all made everything clearer in my understanding of myself, personally and professionally. Things started to make sense to me. During my years as a coach I have realized that, regardless of position, we are often drawn toward the same type of uncertainty and feelings. We often place such high demands on our own performance and put ourselves under so much pressure that it ends badly. But it doesn't have to be that way. We can choose to handle situations and experiences differently, depending on our background and mindset. Be your own leader On my path to a deeper understanding, I have found myself drawn towards softer values. The core of my work and life, is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy training (ACT) and Emotional Intelligence. I have always been able to find joy, but today I know how to truly appreciate it. Inner leadership and kindness is what it’s all about for me. Be kind to yourself and it gets so much easier to be kind to the rest of the world. Take control of that voice in your head, give yourself time to reflect over how and why you react in the ways you do. Once you are in charge of your thoughts and emotions, you automatically will find it easier to be your own “best friend”. “We have to learn to be our own best friends, because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.” – Roderick Thorpe This is why I want to help people find their way of becoming their own best friend: to be the leader of their own life and to see their true value while remaining kind to themselves and others. These are probably two of the most important tasks in everyone’s life, and I am dedicated to coaching people and teams so that they discover for themselves that it does not have to be difficult to make a difference in everyday life. We often think that huge lifestyle changes are required. On the contrary. What it takes is action—that we start doing something. Baby steps can—and will—make a huge difference. 6 KEYS TO BECOME YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND Be kind! – Who is the one person you communicate with most in a day? Is it your significant other, your child, your colleagues or maybe your mother? … Think again. … The answer is: You! You constantly have conversations going on in your head with yourself. Try to remember what you say and how you say it. Is it all positive and cheerful? I hope so (you can stop reading this). Think about what tone you use when talking to yourself. Always aim for treating yourself as you would treat your best friend. If you did, I think your voice would sound different, don’t you? Remember your “why” – Everything starts with your WHY. Have you figured out why you do what you do? Once in a while, take some time and ask yourself: Is this what I want? Am I on the right path? Am I living according to my values or do I need to make a change? Own it! – Never ever forget that you are the one responsible for your well being and your actions. You are the only one who can decide what to say and how to act in your life. Or what not to say or act upon in your life. You always have a choice, and it is you who is always responsible for that choice! Stop and smell the flowers! – Make it a habit to stop and reflect over the day, the week and the month that has passed. Do not forget to feel grateful for the little things around you. Write your thoughts down, in a beautiful journal or notebook, to help you remember the great days when you face the rainy ones. Ask for help! – If you feel that you are failing in your progress, don’t hesitate to ask for help and advice. Depending on the nature of the topic, ask a friend or colleague. If necessary, find an appropriate professional to talk to. It’s ok to make mistakes! – If a situation doesn’t work out the exact way you planned, start by remembering #1 on this list, and try something else. Setbacks are good—we learn from them and they offer new opportunities. Give yourself the respect you deserve! ”The most important relationship in your life is the relationship you have with yourself. Because no matter what happens, you will always be with yourself.” – Diane Von Furstenberg Carina Grönholm, is a ICF Associate Certified Coach with a focus on leadership and teamwork.

Do you have big business goals for 2020? As we enter a new decade with new possibilities, these 10 motivational New Years quotes will inspire you to ring in the new business year. 1. “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey 2. “Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley 3. “Think big and don’t listen to people who tell you it can’t be done. Life’s too short to think small.” – Tim Ferriss 4. “The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it.” – Chinese Proverb 5. “Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.” – W. P. Kinsella 6. “Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.” – Brian Tracy 7. “There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting.” – Buddha 8. “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vidal Sassoon 9. “Develop an attitude of gratitude this year, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” – Brian Tracy 10. “Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” – Tony Robbins We wish you a Happy New Successful Year!

Written by: Camilla Gyllensvan, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. The Benefits of Writing a Book for Entrepreneurs in the Personal Development Business Entrepreneurs in the personal development business are increasingly turning to writing books as a way to boost their brand, gain more clients, and turn their books into multi-million dollar revenues. Writing books is a powerful medium for entrepreneurs to share their expertise, engage with their audience, and open new doors of opportunity. From increasing their visibility to giving them a platform to share their knowledge and expertise, writing a book can be a powerful tool for entrepreneurs looking to expand their reach and develop their business. Writing a book is a great way for entrepreneurs to establish their credibility and expertise in the personal development field. It is an opportunity to showcase their knowledge, demonstrate their expertise, and share their insights with the world. Writing a book allows entrepreneurs to present their ideas in a more organized and comprehensive way, allowing them to reach a broader audience and be seen as an authority on their subject. A well-written book can also be used to attract new clients, as well as to create partnerships and collaborations with other entrepreneurs in the personal development space. Writing a book also gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to monetize their expertise. By leveraging the book as a platform to advertise their services, entrepreneurs can use it to draw in more clients. They can also use the book to create and promote online courses that they can offer to their readers. Another way to generate revenue from a book is to create a brand around it and license it to other entrepreneurs. This can create a passive income stream that will help sustain the entrepreneur’s business. Finally, writing a book can be a powerful way to build a personal brand. A book provides entrepreneurs with a platform to share their story and to connect with their audience on a deeper level. It can be a powerful tool for building relationships and trust with audiences, which can lead to more referrals and more business opportunities. Writing a book is an invaluable tool for entrepreneurs looking to boost their brand, gain more clients, and turn their books into multi-million dollar revenues. By leveraging the power of the written word, entrepreneurs can build their credibility, expand their reach, and monetize their expertise. Ready to Turn Your Expertise into a Multi-Million Dollar Revenue Stream? Get Started Today! Writing a book is a powerful way for entrepreneurs in the personal development space to boost their brand, gain more clients, and turn their books into multi-million dollar revenues. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level and turn your expertise into a successful book that can generate substantial returns, contact us today. We’ll work with you to help you write, publish, and promote your book so that you can make the most of this powerful tool. Visit my website for more info! Read more from Camilla! Camilla Gyllensvan, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Camilla Gyllensvan Is an International coach, author and educator. As a Trainer of NLP and hypnosis, she has transformed the lives of her clients all over the globe. She has dedicated her life to teach the most advanced techniques for Therapy, NLP, hypnosis, Time Line Therapy. CBT and neuroscience. With almost 20 years of studying her unit approach to work with clients has lead to her concept the 4 LIFE experience to help clients conquer their own personal limitations and live a happier and more Joyous life. She is also the founder of Mindboozt Agency a platform for Entrepreneurial authors that want to write, publish and market their books about their expertise

Katrin Zytomierska, an inspiring Swedish entrepreneur with a number of projects under her belt. Along with being the CEO of Clean Eating AB – a company which specializes in clean and healthy food – she also runs one of Sweden’s most visited instagram accounts with a very engaged audience. We caught up with her for a chat about the upcoming expansion of her business, and what’s behind her succesful mindset. Clean Eating stands for clean and healthy foods, free of unnecessary additives. The company was founded in early 2012 as “LCHFklubben.se” - from the beginning a digital portal for people who followed the diet. Almost four years later, Clean Eating consists of a product line of forty unique products, available in well-stocked grocery stores around the country. Tell us a little about the up-and-coming expansion? - Due to our limited production capacity, we have been forced to employ a sales stop for quite some time now, with the unfortunate effect that we have not been able to supply new vendors or markets. We have even been forced to outsource some of our production to external factories to keep up with the demand from our contracted vendors – but I’m hoping to bring back that production once the new factory we’re building is ready. The new factory will also enable us to further expand our product range. You’re looking to expand globally. Have you run into any obstacles during this process? - I’ve never had to worry since my co-workers - who run the day-to-day business – are extremely competent and meticulous. I’m sure they’ve had some snags and bumps along the road, though! What do you think is the reason behind your sucess? - I don’t do anything for the sole purpose of making a profit: I manufacture amazing products that people appreciate, and I put my heart and soul into my work. What do you do to get ”into the zone” if you feel unfocused? - I intensify my work-out routine, try to catch more sleep and say NO to things. A proper, drunk night out to clear my head works wonders, too! A lot of people look up to you because of your honesty and open-mindedness. How have you developed that kind of mindset? - I don’t employ a particular strategy, so it’s nothing but the result of genetics and my upbringing. Simply put, I am entirely myself. Do you feel that people around you are a little intimidated by you? Should they be? - Yes, I do feel that haha, but I’d say that intimidation comes from peoples’ own insecurities. People should really not feel intimitaded by me, but I do however expect to be treated with respect, which I’d say is a pretty normal mindset. If you could give one advice to those who wish they were more open but are afraid of people’s reactions, what would that advice be? - I’d tell them to write or say something that they know will bring out reactions, and avoid deleting negative comments: Just respond ”yes, this is my opinion and I stand for it”. Is there something you’d like to get better at? - Paddle tennis! What would you say is your number one skill? - Keeping calm, and negotiating. Do you have any fears that keeps you from doing things? - No, none, for better or for worse. What are you like as a boss? - I consider myself to be hard, but fair. I give my employees freedom under responsibility and I care a lot about their wellbeing. I might also come across as a bit of a scatterbrain, but my colleagues know that I always work it out in the end. 10 Quick Questions with Katrin Working alone or with a partner? - Alone Fish or chicken? - Fish Night out or night in? - Night out Sour or salty? - Salty Pizza or hamburgers? - Stop it Dressed up or Comfortable? - Dressed up Macbook or PC? - Macbook Cats or dogs? - Dogs Beach or city? - Beach Apartment or house? - Apartment

Written by: Elana Cohen, Executive Contributor Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise. Keiko Beatie is a remarkable individual with a diverse range of achievements and a passion for the cannabis industry. With an impressive career beginning in the music industry, she had the privilege of working with renowned artists such as Eddie Van Halen, Cheap Trick, and Eddie Money. Despite the prevalent experimentation in that industry, Keiko maintained a unique approach, abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes while embracing cannabis. Growing up with a background in herbology and naturopathic practices, Keiko found that her knowledge of Bach's flower remedies and homeopathic products intertwined seamlessly with her growing understanding of cannabis. In 2013, seizing an opportunity to collaborate with a former colleague, she co-founded the groundbreaking U.S. Weed Channel, the world's first cannabis television network. The network encompassed a wide array of programming, ranging from educational content and 420 news to cooking shows, film festivals, and music events. Keiko aimed to present a comprehensive view of cannabis, recognizing that it represents not just a smoking habit but an entire lifestyle and culture. Since then, Keiko has dedicated herself to empowering women in the cannabis industry, serving as the membership director for Women Grow, a prominent nationwide organization. She also holds a position on the board of the Orange County chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (OC NORML). In addition, she hosted a talk show on Hemp Radio alongside Kandice Hawes-Lopez, the esteemed founder and director of the chapter. Keiko's commitment to her values and her desire to foster the success of women in the cannabis industry make her an influential collaborator. She firmly believes that, as women, the inherent qualities of nurturing and caregiving extend to our connection with the female cannabis plant. In the cannabis industry, she sees a realm where there are no barriers or limitations for women, allowing them to thrive and break free from the confines of a traditional glass ceiling. Furthermore, Keiko is currently involved in organizing the Taste of 4/20 Casino Celebration, hosted by Edibles Magazine. This licensed event, taking place on April 20 at Casa Vertigo in Downtown Los Angeles, offers participants the unique opportunity to consume cannabis on-site. Alongside this, attendees can enjoy an adult bounce house and savor low-dose edibles crafted by esteemed canna-chefs. Keiko Beatie is a true force to be reckoned with, driven by her unwavering ethics and her unwavering commitment to seeing women flourish in the cannabis industry. Through her various roles, collaborations, and endeavors, she continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and empowering future where women can fully embrace their connection with the world of cannabis. Keiko Beatie has made remarkable strides in the fields of Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and holistic healing throughout her extensive career that dates back to the 1970s. Building upon her expertise in Bach Flower and Homeopathic remedies, she has seamlessly integrated the world of whole-plant cannabis medicine into her practice. Keiko is deeply committed to community education and improving patient care within this realm. Her journey into the realm of psychedelics began during her student years when she had the transformative opportunity to learn from the renowned teacher Ram Dass at UCI after his departure from Harvard. This experience left an indelible mark on her consciousness and remained a cherished memory. Currently serving as the Director of Education at Coral Cove Wellness Resort, an idyllic retreat nestled along the picturesque Jamaican coastline, Keiko has also become an owner of this all-inclusive destination dedicated to cannabis and psychedelic education. Surrounded by the serene beauty of the ocean, the resort provides a unique environment for individuals to deepen their understanding of these transformative medicines. Keiko's expertise and passion have led her to be a highly sought-after speaker at numerous mainstream and cannabis conferences across the country. She shares her knowledge on a wide range of topics, including Senior Education, Edibles, Pain Management, Canna Travel Tourism, and Patient Care. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Keiko was honored with the prestigious Female Leadership of the Year Award at the 2022 Women's Canna Cup. Beyond her speaking engagements, Keiko actively participates as a board member in several esteemed organizations. These include OC NORML, The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Cannabis Roundtable, the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo (as an Advisory Board Member), The EmeraldCup (as an Edibles Judge), and Cashom. Keiko's educational journey led her to pursue studies at UCLA, where she earned her BA in Business. She further developed her skills at renowned institutions such as the Esolen Institute, Twin Lakes Holistic College, Alive Polarity Institute, CIIS (California Institute of Intralegal Studies), and LA College of Massage and Physical Therapy. Prior to dedicating herself to education and patient care through natural medicines, she made significant contributions to the music, film, and surf industries. Keiko played an instrumental role in founding Women Grow OC and has shared her writing talents with notable platforms such as Weedmaps, Marijunia.com, Sensi Magazine, and Canna TravelLife Magazine. With an unwavering mission rooted in education and outreach for patient care, Keiko Beatie continues to be a driving force in advocating for the acceptance and legalization of cannabis and psychedelic medicines. Her invaluable contributions have shaped the landscape of holistic healing, inspiring individuals to explore the profound potential of these natural remedies. For more information, please visit Keiko Beatie's website at www.coralcovewellness.com. Follow Elana on LinkedIn, and visit her website for more info! Read more from Elana! Elana Cohen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Elana Cohen is a freelance writer based in Chicago. She covers cannabis topics from product reviews, thought leaders in the industry, brands, features on cannabis players in the market and her own experience with cannabis and mental health. Elana is on a mission to end the negative stigmas on cannabis, mental health & tattoos. All topics considered to be fighting the taboos and negative stigmas they have. Elana also covers entertainment, specifically electronic dance music concerts and festivals. I also cover FOOD and the hospitality industry. Send restaurant news and upcoming launches this way!