Master education

From 1996 to 1999, I pursued a Master of Science at Aarhus University's School of Business and Social Sciences (BSS) complemented by studies at HEC Montréal.  During my master education, I studied these courses: Organizational theory and behavior. Social science research methods. Industrial economics. Strategic management development. Strategic and innovation management. Strategic information systems. Human resource management. Total quality management. Cultures, organisation and management. Interdisciplinary approaches to the study of human problems in management. 

For my master thesis, I reached out to Nils Villemoes (nilsvillemoes.dk) to get feedback on ideas I had been working on. His contributions had shaped my thinking and sparked inspiration in my mind. For example, his work had challenged me to think creatively - viewing concepts from entirely unconventional angles. In addition, I recall that Mr. Villemoes' sense of humor was of importance to me. What comes to mind, for example, is that Nils Villemoes once sketched an organizational pyramid upside down, positioning every individual as a value creator for others - with leaders serving people.​ At the time, this perspective of Nils Villemoes felt quite radical to me as it sharply contrasted prior experiences I had had in my life such as these three: 1. Priests preaching from elevated church pulpits. 2. Military officers commanding and controlling. 3. Professors lecturing from the front of classrooms before grading tests. In his contributions, Nils Villemoes seemed to want to help students move in a different direction. I learned to understand Nils Villemoes as a leader who had a vision to overturn hierarchies and rethink both the way we organize and the way leaders lead. The words of Nils Villemoes as well as his phenomenal ability to share his thought provoking remarks with a smile and a lively body language ignited my appreciation for servant leadership as well as innovative ways of organizing and leading. Nils Villemoes came across to me not only as a person who thrived in solo speaking formats on a stage. With a strong knowledge foundation he demonstrated that he is a highly self-driven management thinker and innovator, an autodidact expert in strategy and leadership development who was capable of significantly challenging leadership models in businesses - thereby laying the ground for considerably more value creation.

Being coached by Nils Villemoes during my master thesis research and writing process proved to be nothing less than life-changing. The research process turned out to be a period of profound personal and intellectual growth - a period that reshaped my worldview in several ways. Under the guidance of Mr. Villemoes, I explored core life skills such as uncovering values of people and questioning the purpose of our actions -  including why organizations exist. Our dialogues and writing to each other fostered a holistic understanding of motivation, service, and meaningful contributions. I recall a particularly inspiring discussion one day in his home office. The flexible setup in his house, which allowed him to read and write from various quiet spots, struck me as both practical and human-centered. On this occasion, I also noticed that his humor created a safe space for unconventional ideas - strongly encouraging me to rethink work, leadership, and daily living with lightness and perspective. The ability that Nils Villemoes had to laugh freely, even at himself, taught me not to take life or myself too seriously. Conversations with Nils Villemoes reminded me that we humans are not at the center of the universe. There are forces around us such as purpose, love, and nature that are more powerful than all of us are combined. Working with Mr. Villemoes, among the best teachers I have had the privilege to work with in my life, I understood that growth comes from learning, thinking creatively and continuously improving - with humility and resilience. These insights continue to influence my work.

On a key project during my studies at HEC Montréal, I was coached by Professor Guy Archambault. This experience was yet another strong growth moment in my life that helped me to build strong insights into leadership and cultural nuances. Working with Professor Archambault deepened my understanding of adaptive leadership across diverse contexts - highlighting how cultural differences shape decision-making, team dynamics, and organizational effectiveness. Professor Archambault's guidance sparked curiosity about innovative educational approaches, challenging me to explore how learning environments can foster creativity and inclusivity beyond traditional models. I recall, for example, meeting Professor Archambault for breakfast one morning, where we delved into various topics over a cup of coffee. I remember that we walked past an auditorium that was sponsored by a company. Pointing at the name sign of the corporation, Mr. Archambault asked me, I recall, if I could imagine sponsored auditoriums in Denmark. My response to him was that I could not. Another standout question from Guy Archambault, as he shared with me methods from his research and teaching practice was this question: "What is the purpose of your leadership?" I remember that this question resonated deeply, prompting reflection on authentic motivation versus positional power. This question continues to guide my own work - including observations and coaching of leaders. Archambault's mentorship, which I very much appreciated, reinforced the value of purposeful, culturally attuned leadership. It positively influenced my work in strategy, innovation, and regenerative practices.