RETURN OF THE VIKINGS – NORDIC LEADERSHIP IN TIMES OF EXTREME CHANGE tells the story of the rich heritage of the Nordic peoples: as explorers, navigators, trendsetters, political and educational innovators. This provides deep roots, traced back to the Viking era and the nine noble virtues of Nordic mythology. And it still informs the way the Nordic peoples live and work today. The methods, values and leadership practices of the Vikings are woven into the DNA of international businesses founded in the Nordics, and exemplified by many Nordic practitioners who work in other countries or for non-Nordic organizations.
The inclusive, trusting, collaborative style of Nordic leadership offers an alternative way to negotiate through our current times of extreme change. What many of us are now experiencing online in distributed, fluid, networked communities, the Nordics have been practicing on land and sea for centuries. The Nordics are not waiting around to find out when the future begins. They are already leading the way (passage from the book).
Chris Shern and Henrik Jeberg offer an intriguing perspective on the Nordic societies, their leadership style and way of doing business. Their own stories are interwoven with those of a diverse range of interviewees, including business executives, politicians, writers, designers, athletes, military personnel and entrepreneurs.
​
In the current era of great uncertainty and extreme change — exacerbated by complex issues like climate change, mass migration, population growth, longevity of life, economic instability, terrorism and regional warfare — there are lessons for all of us to be found among the modern Vikings and their medieval forebears.
About the Authors:
Chris Shern is a cultural adventurer. He has lived and worked internationally for over 20 years. Chris was employed by Scandinavian Airlines for many years in a variety of leadership roles across three continents. Currently, he is Managing Director of IME, a Danish non-profit foundation specializing in leadership development.
Henrik Jeberg has worked in the international IT sector for over 25 years. He has lived in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US. Henrik was part of the top-management of Navision Software, which was sold to Microsoft. He later became Deputy Director General of the Danish Ministry of Finance, leading the Government's horizontal IT complex. Henrik currently works as a mergers-and-acquisitions advisor, and serves as President of the Danish–American Chamber of Commerce in California.
​
​