🇸🇪 A Quick Trip to Stockholm - And a Reminder of What Grounds Me

At the beginning of October, I flew to Stockholm for just one night. A quick trip, but a meaningful one.

Lisa, Cecilia and I met again in Stockholm after many years

The purpose? To reconnect with two friends, Lisa and Cecilia, I hadn’t seen in years. Our lives have changed since we last met: families, careers, homes in different countries. But the friendship? Still there. Still strong.

And that made me think about leadership. Because leadership, like friendship, is built on trust, time, and shared experience.

The Power of Reconnection

Seeing my friends again reminded me how important it is to stay connected to where you come from. Not out of nostalgia, but to stay grounded. To recharge. There’s something deeply energizing about sitting across the table from people who knew you before your job title. Who see your full story, not just your LinkedIn headline.

In times of pressure and progress, we often look ahead. But sometimes, growth comes from pausing and looking back with appreciation.

That’s why I make space for moments like this.

A City That Feeds My Soul (And My Suitcase)

Of course, being back in Stockholm was special in itself.

The calmness of the water. The clarity of the fall light. The language and culture that still feel like home, even after years abroad.

Walking downtown

And yes, I used the opportunity to do some Swedish grocery shopping. ☕ Swedish coffee.🥫 Favorite food essentials.🧃 A few things I can’t find elsewhere. Because sometimes, belonging means being able to taste a little piece of home.

No trip to Sweden is complete without a visit to ICA

The Leadership Perspective

As I flew back to Vienna Sunday night, I reflected on the trip from a leadership lens. This short weekend gave me:

• Renewed energy for the months ahead

• A clearer sense of identity: where I come from, what matters to me

• A reminder that belonging is a strength, not a soft value

• And most of all: that leading with empathy starts with understanding yourself

I carry this with me into the new week, and into every room I walk into.

On my way home again

Final Thought

Whether it’s old friendships, familiar places, or the taste of something from home: honor your past. That’s where your foundation lives. And that’s often where you’ll find the strength to grow forward.

The Royal Palace, Stockholm

🧭 Leadership Principle: Honor Identity, Culture and Belonging