Post by Simon Lukas Benedikt Kox-Schutting

"I think you should do something on leadership". This was said to me over a business lunch in Tallinn in summer 2024. I did not take it as criticism, but I was surprised. Why invest in something I didn't see as a priority? Yes, you can always improve yourself, but I was - and until then always have been - looking more towards developing subject matter expertise. Focus on areas where I considered myself to have more obvious weaknesses made much more sense to me. Looking back, I am glad I listened to those who nudged me in a different direction. The last two years have been quite a journey. #LBS, along with mentors and coaches who invested their time in me, made this probably one of the most intense and self-reflective experiences of my life. It turns out: sometimes the biggest growth doesn’t come from fixing your obvious gaps - but from challenging what you think already works. I do not know if I have become better in what I do, but I am much clearer about the kind of leader I want to be. Thank you Peter Bosek, Inga Bratena for pushing me, Diego Biondo, Liis Mullaste for the continuous support. Alison Straw, Erkki Raasuke for providing challenge and guidance and countless of people whose stories and feedback stayed with me, especially: Aleksandr Tsemin, Anastassia Mebald, Betsy Nelson, Crystal LaGrone, Diederik Fokkema, Elena G., Evelin Ruus, Fredrik Eklund, Heikki Koskinen, Janis Melngailis, Jūlija Jefanova, Kadri Vunder Fontana, Kaur Ilves, Madis Laanesoo, Mikk Parre, Niklas Kox, Oksana Pavlova, Tatjana Kačalova, Tatjana Püi, Vaida Vanagaite and Zane Lonska - thank you. Your words meant a lot.