#40: Camilla Sløk: The hard things they don’t teach you in leadership courses

I gotta be honest: it is much easier getting top grades at university in leadership and consulting, than actually practicing it! Anybody else got that experience?

I thought I had a good take on leadership after studying a master’s degree on the subject. But becoming a leader definitely humbled me. Especially when facing the dilemmas where being responsible for the greater good of the organisation and not only the individuals, that I cared about. Taking the time to listen to employees, care for their development and moving a startup fast enough to get the next funding. All aspects that seem simple in theory but much harder in practice. I am no longer in a startup with extreme uncertainty but I still struggle with being the manager and leader I aspire to be and what I actually am.

I therefore had an honest talk with Camilla Sløk who has a Master from Princeton and PhD from University of Copenhagen, has published several books, is currently working as an Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School. And then she also just published a new book on leadership “Magt og omsorg i det eksistentielle lederskab” translated to “Power and care in the existential leadership.

We talked about the hard things in leadership which are normally not focused on in the classic leadership literature. An example is how you as a leader navigate difficult times that also challenges your own values. Something that is even more relevant now with the coronavirus where leaders have to make tough decisions.

Shownotes:
00:40 - Camilla’s studies in theology
01:16 - Introduction to Camilla's new book “Magt og omsorg i det eksistentielle lederskab”
06:23 - Balance between power and care
10.35 - Thoughts on how to handle a situation with a vulnerable employee
14:24 - Thoughts on freedom and leadership
18:15 - Humbleness and leadership
20:20 - Balance between manager and a human being
23:20 - The use of the term “family” within companies
28:00 - Leaders and vulnerability towards employees
30:53 - Leadership, responsibility and stress
41:54 - How to get in touch with Camilla

Connect with Camilla Sløk
www.camillaslok.dk
https://dk.linkedin.com/in/camillaslok

Link to Camilla’s book:
https://dpf.dk/produkt/bog/magt-omsorg-eksistentielle-lederskab
https://www.djoef-forlag.dk/forfatter/camilla-slok
https://www.gyldendal.dk/produkter/martin-jes-iversen/kompagniets-mand-46328/

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