The best leader is not the heroic leader who rides in on a white horse and manages everything – but the one who succeeds together with the team.”
On October 22nd, CBS hosted a panel debate in the course ‘Stress, Skam og Ledelse’, where four experienced business professionals reflected on three real-life dilemmas submitted by students.
The panel featured David Pontoppidan (Head of Business AI in the North and Baltic at SAP), Kirsten Wither Jørgensen (IT Director at Banedanmark), Rikke Winther Nørgaard (CCO and cofounder of Aegir Insights) and Viktor Fischer (award winning podcast host and former professional football player).
The session touched on themes many recognize from both study and work life: performance pressure, uncertainty, comparison, and the need for recognition. Throughout the discussion, the panel shared reflections, personal experiences and practical advice, all highlighting the importance of relational well-being and leadership in creating supportive work cultures.
Navigating Uncertainty and Fear of Others Opinions
The first dilemma came from Oscar, an ambitious CBS student passionate about IT consulting. He tries to balance studies, work, and social life, but often doubts whether he is as competent as his colleagues. He worries that asking questions will make him look inexperienced, a common self-doubt that many students can relate to.
The panel quickly acknowledged Oscar’s feelings. Rikke remembered her own time at CBS, where “everything needed to move fast”. Yet she reminded Oscar that he had earned his place at the student job, and that in itself is already an achievement. Rather than measuring success by others, she encouraged him to focus on his own curiosity and learning.
Daniel agreed, adding that progress should be measured against one’s own growth: “For me, it’s always been about asking where I am now compared to two years ago — and whether I’m where I hoped to be.” Constant comparison, he said, can drain motivation and even pull you away from what you actually enjoy.
Meanwhile, Victor also encouraged Oscar to be transparent about his experiences: “[Oscar] is afraid to be portrayed as the weak one”, but by sharing his uncertainty, he will likely meet others who have felt the same way, and be reassured that he is not alone with these feelings. Being open will give a sense of comfort and safety, and remind him “that he is okay, just as he is”.
The Need for Recognition
The second dilemma came from Line, 32, who puts a lot of energy into her job: taking extra shifts, staying late, and supporting colleagues. Yet she still feels overlooked. She has asked for training and development opportunities for more than a year, but they seem to go to others, which in turn leaves her doubting herself and worrying about how she is perceived.
The panel’s advice to Line focused on her right to ask for feedback. They encouraged her to request concrete feedback, schedule a development talk, or bring up a salary review. In this way Line will advocate for her professional growth, and show that feedback from her supervisor matters to her.
At the same time, they reminded her that recognition does not need to only come from work. Victor explained the importance of “separat[ing] your work self from your private self”, and instead seeking appreciation from people at home who matter most. That too can help replenish energy when the workplace falls short, in turn giving you the strength to return to work the next day.
The Role of Leadership
The final dilemma tied the earlier themes together through the story of Mads, a tech manager under intense pressure after a project launch went wrong. Feeling personally responsible, and wanting to prove his worth to the company and his team, Mads pushed himself hard, resisting HR’s advice to reduce his workload, despite the risk of burnout and the impact on his family life.
To this, David highlighted that mistakes are unavoidable and “even the most talented people make many mistakes and learn from them”. Really, leadership plays a crucial role in shaping an organization’s culture, and creating space to learn and grow from mistakes.
Kirsten added: “The stronger the employee feels, the better the tasks are solved […] The best leader is not the heroic leader who comes in on a white horse and manages everything. The best leader is the one who succeeds together with the team. […].” When a leader, like Mads, is about to burn out, there is typically also a team behind who are also at risk of burning out. Good leadership, she reflected, involves recognizing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Victor wrapped up the discussion by reminding the audience how simple recognition can be: “it often doesn’t take much. You just need to be seen and know that you have space to play”.
When individuals feel acknowledged and safe to make and learn from mistakes, it fosters creativity, better performance, and courage not only for individuals but also the business as a whole.
Student Reflections From the Panel Discussion
At CBS Wellbeing lab, we were grateful for the panelists and students for their openness and willingness to share. Several students noted that hearing professionals respond to their dilemmas created a special kind of relevance.
“I found the panel debate exciting […]The fact that these are people from the business world makes it much more concrete. Not just something we talk about in academic conversation, but something that actually has real-world applications” Student from HA Psychology.
Others reflected on the value of recognition and seeing colleagues:
“It was nice to be reminded of the importance of remembering to see others, your colleagues, and acknowledge people.” Student, Organizational Communication at CBS.
Working with dilemmas helps students develop their capacity to think critically and collaborate constructively, which are key elements of CBS’ Nordic Nine capabilities. The panel helped normalize how concepts like shame, uncertainty and leadership play out in workplaces. And, the debate highlighted the importance of relational well-being: when people feel seen, supported and safe to learn from mistakes, they build resilience, which strengthens both individuals and organizations.
Listen to the full conversation in our newly released podcast: “From Dilemmas to Insights – Relational Well-being in Future Business” here.
