A podcast from CBS well-being lab
Kunsten at træde i karakter som menneske
Klædt på til transformation
A podcast dialogue between Nicklas Sahl, Musician, Thure Lindhardt, Actor and Pernille Steen Pedersen, stress researcher and Assistant Professor at CBS.
In this podcast Pernille talks to Nicklas and Thure about their career paths and how they have developed a professional judgement and strength in how they navigate their professional lives. They talk about the doubts and insecurities that are a natural part of the path and how they manage difficulties. Thure, for example, shares that although he never doubted his profession – to be an actor – he often experiences doubt in his work and performances. “I try to make friends with it [the doubt]. Because it also asks some good questions” Thure explains. Nicklas shares his experiences of doubts and insecurities, and says ”for me, doubt depends a lot on how much acknowledgment there is around me.” They talk about the need of recognition from others, but also how support from people on the way has had great importance and enabled them to find their way and to develop their professionalism.
In the podcast they address topics like: how to manage ambitions and the expectations from oneself or others, the act of asking for help, the relief of realizing others have similar challenges than you, performance fear and perfectionism. Nicklas reflects upon his doubts and perfectionism, and says: “I don’t experiences a lot of doubt, but then again, I am also rarely every fully satisfied [with my own performances].”
Pernille asks Nicklas and Thure how they manage working with others, also when there might be big differences in ambitions and they discuss teamwork difficulties. Thure adds some reflections on the deeper purpose of working in groups: “You are never better than the weakest link in a group. We are not in groups because we need to be the best or to get good grades, rather we are in groups in order to learn how to be with other people. There is something else in life than getting good grades or having exams, and that is about being a good human. If you are smarter or know more on a topic than the person next to you, then you have a responsibility to go in and help the other to become even better than you.”
Listen to the full podcast where they cover many different topics in a honest and humorous manner. They also address: trusting yourself, being judged by others, receiving critique, resilience, safety and being seen with compassion, sharing insecurities with other gives a safety and relief, the importance of mistakes and learning from making mistakes – and much more.
“I have started to enjoy making mistakes,” Nicklas says towards the end.
Reflections from a listener
How was it to listen to the podcast?
It was really interesting to hear how two artists, whose daily lives might look significantly different from those of business students, handle and struggle with many of the same challenges both individually and in groups.
What made the biggest impression on you?
The information that many people find it difficult to ask for help due to the fear of appearing less competent.
What in the podcast can you relate to the most?
The challenge and value in asking for/offering help. From my own experience, it can be difficult no matter what role you have, but almost always incredibly rewarding and educational to receive help and help your partner.
Is there anything that Thure or Nicklas said that you will take with you going forward?
Make doubt your friend. That idea makes a lot of sense to me in terms of improving both individually and as a group. Because if we talk about that doubt, there are many opportunities to optimize what we do and hopefully end up with a better result.
/Oskar Tømming Larsen, 21 years old

Length: 37:34 minuets
Language: Danish
Key words: Career paths, Finding your own way, Professional judgement, Inner judgement, Managing doubts and insecurities, Importance of support from others, Teamwork, Trusting yourself, Receiving critique, Being judged, Steeping into character, Importance of mistakes and failing, Passion, Using humor, Caring less, The normal is okay.