Global Circular Strategy Associate Director @ IKEA | Sustainability Strategy, ESG Talks about #sustainability #regenerativebusiness #circulareconomy #justtransition #systemchange #wellbeingeconomy #radicalcollaboration
On Tuesday I was fortunate to experience something rather special: Being able to address 500 new graduates on their graduation day and also be awarded with an Honorary Doctorate of University at Middlesex University for my more than 15 years driving impact, sustainable development and cross sector collaboration. #humbled It gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own journey and on the journey of this graduating cohort of 2024. Working and studying through COVID, achieving and persevering in the face of so much change and challenge. When I received the email informing me that I had been awarded an honorary doctorate three thoughts went through my mind; 🤷♀️ First: Did they have the right Hege Saebjornsen? Could this be a mistake? The immediate voice of the inner critic questioning my worthiness. 👀 Second: Why me, when there are so many extremely smart and accomplished people out there? Impostor syndrome set in. 😍 Third: Wow, what an honour and what a fantastic acknowledgement. Finally, gratitude. I shared this with the graduates to illustrate that the need to combine humility with courage and taking risks will never end if you are pushing boundaries and not accepting the status quo. Throughout my career and in my role as a leader on circularity and impact from within a large company, I find myself stepping out of my comfort zone almost every day. Every day is a learning day. I shared three learnings I hope(ed) could support them and us all on our journeys: 🐱🏍Make friends with your inner critic and the voice whispering that you may be an impostor. Learn how to say to that voice: ‘thank you for your concern and for wanting to keep me safe. But I have bigger and more important things to get on with!!’. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you are willing to ask ‘what if?’ you will most likely be constantly stepping beyond your comfort zone. 📣 Be bold and courageous in your vision, set a goal that is much bigger than you. Dare to wish for and work towards a better world for all. Don’t succumb to cynicism or despair. The moment I was able to own my belief that a more equal and sustainable world is possible, I claimed my power. And friends, you don’t have to choose between making money and making a difference. Today you will find that every job is a climate/sustainability/impact job! (whether your employer knows it or not...) 👩🏾🤝👩🏼 Do it together. Embrace and collaborate with your community of students, alumni, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Your work, our work, ahead is significant and changing the trajectory of our world is hard work, but in community we can do anything. We must continue to remember that success is not just about making money or gaining recognition. It's about the difference we make in people's lives. So for all of us including those graduates, let’s go out there, and do the work we must do! And always, thank you mum and dad. 🦋 #sustainability #purposeleadership #betteremployers
Working with an awesome team every day Daniel Haltia Connor Hill Alma Jensen @saramauritzon Jonas Carlehed Karolina Arija Ax Maria José Malpartida
Gratitude to #IKEA Ingka Group for supporting and enabling important cross sector collaborations and leadership Peter Jelkeby Karen Pflug Pia Heidenmark Cook Jocelyn Goh Javier Quiñones Gillian Drakeford MBE
Wait, what?! This is fantastic! Great to see people doing really important work being celebrated. No wonder your folks were in town!
Patrick Elf
1w
Fantastic speech full of inspiring words! I felt privileged to watch it from up close. ❤️
Ian Christie
1w
Fantastic to see. Huge congrats! Ian x
Congratulation, Hege! What an amazing achievement. I love your reflections, and particularly this part🌟: " 🐱🏍Make friends with your inner critic and the voice whispering that you may be an impostor. Learn how to say to that voice: ‘thank you for your concern and for wanting to keep me safe. But I have bigger and more important things to get on with!!’. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you are willing to ask ‘what if?’ you will most likely be constantly stepping beyond your comfort zone".
Thank you Hege - you do make a difference in so many ways! and big congrats, you are so worth it!
What a brilliant milestone for you... A grounded reflection and permission to go wider, deeper, further, and better, for self and others! Brava 👏 👏👏 👏
Hello Hege, I’m also a graduate from Middlesex back in 1991! Congratulations for this initiative 🤗
Global Circular Strategy Associate Director @ IKEA | Sustainability Strategy, ESG Talks about #sustainability #regenerativebusiness #circulareconomy #justtransition #systemchange #wellbeingeconomy #radicalcollaboration
1wThank you Patrick Elf Fergus Lyon at Middlesex University and the faculty. I've been so fortunate to have worked and continue to work with so many key collaborators over recent years Cassie Robinson Greg Lucas Tessy Britton Matthew Coffay Nancy Bocken Saskia Restorick Trewin Restorick Sharon McCracken Joanna Yarrow Cliff Prior Ian Christie