Team Event 2022: Workshop, Values, Crayfish Party!
Article by Joana da Silva
When we met in Stockholm for our annual team event, it included not only a workshop on Nordic values, but also a traditional crayfish party. Both things that are linked to our Nordic company culture.
In my first month as a Student Associate for Marketing & Organization at Nordic Minds, I attended the team event in early September in Stockholm. I was very excited to meet the whole team in person – but, of course, also to get to know the city as well as Sweden.
After our arrival, we had dinner at the Vina restaurant and stayed at the Ersta Konferens Hotel. Stockholm is surprisingly similar to Hamburg in many ways: a port city with lots of historic buildings – the old town is really beautiful. At the same time, it was also a different experience. The houses were much more colorful, the people were different, and even the air was fresher!
The OceanBus tour was especially worthwhile. If you don't know what an OceanBus is: you go on a sightseeing tour on a bus – and then at some point, the bus goes into the water and swims like a boat! The crayfish party at Fanny's house was also a highlight. At a traditional Swedish crayfish party, you eat lobster, drink, and sing Swedish songs. It was a really interesting intercultural experience.
Since many of us have only known each other online, it was important for all of us to get to know each other. It was great to meet the team away from the screen and talk to each other without the stress of everyday life. The atmosphere was relaxed, so it hardly felt like a business trip.
Workshop And Values
Nevertheless, we were indeed very productive. On Sunday, Marcus led a workshop at the hotel. In an extensive brainstorming session, we got to the bottom of our personal values and motivations, connected them to Nordic Minds, and worked on a new mission statement. It is important to keep company values in mind and adjust them every now and then.
Some of the questions we asked ourselves: what exactly is Nordic Leadership? And how can we pass on this leadership style to our clients?
Nordic Leadership celebrates differences. Everyone has their own experiences and background, which offer unique perspectives and ideas. Diversity and innovation are explicitly encouraged. For me personally, the crucial core aspect of Nordic Leadership is that it’s open and communicative. Classic hierarchies don't exist, everyone's opinion is valued.
I think that's truly special because it's not usual that the ideas of a 17-year-old are acknowledged at eye level. I was able to contribute to the workshop. Even though – or perhaps because – I was the only one at the team event and workshop who does not work in the field of executive search but in marketing.
With Nordic Minds, I took my first big step in the professional world. I was involved from the very beginning, even in the planning of the team event. Few people have such a good start in the professional world on such a basis of trust. And with a crayfish party!