Andy and Frances are delighted to be back in conversation with our podcast, Unlocking Aliveness in Leadership. Today’s special guest is Marie Linquist, SVP Northern Europe for Legends Global.
Having spent her entire career within the Travel and Tourism and Entertainment Sectors, she notices that these roles are all about delivering the best possible service and experience to customers. This feels as if it is in her DNA.
Marie says that leadership is about giving people a sense of why, by articulating clear purpose and expectations. Once done, the leader’s role revolves around ensuring that the team are empowered to achieved, making sure that everyone has the relevant resources and tools to do their jobs. Leaders also need to stand up and be accountable when things are not heading in the right direction.
Marie is motivated by building things. She sees her role as an enabler to allow others to deliver to their best abilities. She feels alive as a leader when she is in flow; when things are heading in the right direction; and when she is building towards something. It is great to see the result of the effort that goes into the process - It makes her love what she does.
Her top tips for future leaders, as well as everyone who wants to achieve their objectives and have fun at work are:
1. Invest in your Relationships: Get to know your colleagues: their drivers and motivators; what they like; what they don’t like; and what their triggers are. Expand your network and build those relationships. Spend time in Fika 🎂.
2. Get to know yourself. Understand your own drivers, motivators and triggers so that you don’t get surprised by your own responses to situations.
3. Surround yourself with a team that knows more than you. Have a team that can challenge you and help you learn as a leader.
4. Choose your battles. Don’t waste your energy on pettiness. Think before you commence battle - is it worth it?
5. Ask questions and don’t provide answers.
6. Trust your capabilities (especially women). You don’t have to know everything and have 100% knowledge about a project. Take a leap of faith and trust yourself.
7. Don’t take yourself too seriously – it is just a job!
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