Episode 15 of Growing For It with Carsten Vestermark

*Full disclosure: Carsten is one of the main sponsors of the podcast through his business Vestermark Consult*

Carsten Vestermark discusses his career journey, emphasizing the importance of accepting responsibility and adapting to new roles. He has conducted around 1500 interviews and hired over 100 people, highlighting the significance of identifying "A players" through their past experiences and reflective abilities. Vestermark shared insights on handling firings, stressing the need for preparation, clear communication, and managing emotions. He also underscored the value of gratitude and continuous improvement, advocating for a mindset that seeks to make a positive impact rather than complain. His approach to leadership involves fostering a supportive environment and encouraging employees to take initiative. The discussion focused on effective management and feedback techniques, emphasizing the importance of timely, honest, and respectful communication. Key points included the necessity of immediate feedback to prevent escalation of emotions, the significance of having a bench of potential hires, and the impact of cultural fit on team performance. The conversation also highlighted the challenges of scaling a team without compromising standards, the importance of clear communication in recruiting, and the need for long-term planning in HR. Additionally, the conversation touched on the ethical considerations of firing employees and the benefits of a positive work culture.

Key take-aways

1. Embrace an Unconventional Career Path: Carsten's journey shows that a lack of a clear plan can lead to unexpected opportunities for growth and development. Being open to new experiences can be a strength.
2. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Carsten's personal loss early in his career sparked a deep interest in understanding people and their motivations. Developing self-awareness and empathy are crucial leadership skills.
3. Focus on Hiring for Cultural Fit: Carsten emphasizes the importance of not compromising on cultural fit when scaling a team, even if it means being more selective with hires. Building the right team culture is critical.
4. Provide Honest, Timely Feedback: Carsten believes in giving feedback immediately, both positive and negative. This helps maintain clear expectations and empowers employees to improve.
5. Approach Difficult Decisions with Empathy: When it comes to letting people go, Carsten stresses the importance of having a structured process while also treating departing employees with respect and care.

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Also be sure to check out Carsten on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-vestermark-76a9001/

Thanks to our sponsors:

Shaping New Tomorrow

State Energy

Vestermark Consult

Chapters:

1- [00:00 - 10:00] An Unconventional Career Journey

2- [10:00 - 20:00] The Pivotal Moment That Shaped a Leader

3- [20:00 - 30:00] Developing Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

4- [30:00 - 40:00] Hiring and Retaining Top Talent

5- [40:00 - 50:00] The Art of Providing Honest Feedback

6- [50:00 - 1:00:00] Navigating Difficult Personnel Decisions

7- [1:00:00 - 1:10:00] Building a Strong Company Culture

8- [1:10:00 - 1:20:00] The Value of Adaptability and Continuous Learning

9- [1:20:00 - 1:30:00] Putting the Team Before the Individual

10- [1:30:00 - 1:40:00] Lessons in Leadership and Legacy

11- [1:40:00 - 1:50:00] Closing Thoughts and Advice