In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, effective leadership is crucial for success. Mette Johansson, the visionary Founder and Owner of MetaMind Training, is a prominent figure in the field of leadership development. With a deep passion for empowering individuals and organizations, Mette has dedicated her career to helping leaders unlock their full potential and drive positive change.
With an impressive background in international business and a wealth of cross-cultural experiences, Mette brings a unique perspective to the table. Born in Denmark and raised in the Netherlands, she has cultivated a love for diverse cultures and a remarkable ability to adapt to different environments. This global outlook, combined with her extensive expertise, has enabled her to guide leaders and teams through challenging times and foster authentic leadership.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Mette Johansson’s journey as an entrepreneur, her unwavering commitment to authenticity, and her insights on effective leadership in an ever-changing world. Join us as we explore her inspiring story, delve into MetaMind Training’s tailored approach to leadership development, and gain valuable insights into the power of purpose-driven leadership.
Can you please provide us with some information about yourself, including your early life and education?
I was born in Denmark and raised in the Netherlands, fostering a love for international experiences and living in different countries. I have resided in 11 countriess o far.
To enhance my employability, I studied Mandarin Chinese and pursued an MBA. After almost two decades with a large multinational corporation, I decided to follow a more purpose-driven path and became an entrepreneur.
Now, armed with a diverse background and a wealth of experiences, I am passionate about leveraging my entrepreneurial spirit, cross-cultural understanding, and business acumen to create innovative solutions that address pressing challenges.
Could you tell us about your company and its presence in the Singapore region?
MetaMind Pte Ltd is a prominent leadership development company based in Singapore. Our expertise extends across the Asia-Pacific region, and our work has expanded globally in recent years. Currently, I find myself in South Africa, where I am conducting a leadership programme.
At MetaMind, we strongly advocate for Authentic Leadership. In a rapidly changing world where circumstances can shift overnight, relying solely on past experience is no longer sufficient to guide us. The traditional leadership playbook can quickly become irrelevant. Instead, we believe in leading based on our own personal core values and principles. Surprisingly, many leaders are not even aware of their own principles. We assist leaders in defining their principles and the impact they aspire to make in the world. This clarity enables them to navigate even the most turbulent waters with confidence.
Our specialization lies in delivering customized leadership programmes. We firmly reject the notion of “off-the-shelf” leadership development programmes that attempt to fit everyone’s needs. We understand that each industry, company, department, and individual has unique developmental requirements.
Typically, our clients consist of large multinational companies, and we work with leaders at various levels, ranging from the C-suite to first-time managers.
What are some of the growth and expansion plans your company has in the pipeline?
The market has significantly declined in 2023. The years 2020 and 2021 were challenging due to Covid, while 2022 proved to be a fantastic year. Expansion plans would be irresponsible at this time. Our focus is on maintaining our presence in a declining market, which alleviates much of the stress. We prefer to avoid the stress we experienced throughout the Covid period, where we held onto the belief that things would improve in three months’ time for two years. This time, we will simply do our best without needlessly pressuring everyone involved.
In the current competitive market, what does your business offer that sets it apart from others?
We enjoy working, and our dedication to delivering value to our clients shines through. The joy we find in our work motivates us to consistently exceed our clients’ expectations. It is our passion!
We specialize in tailoring our solutions, which leads to an even greater increase in the value we deliver to our clients.
What measures do you believe employees and organizations can take to build effective teamwork and foster unity within the workplace?
Ensuring that we all believe in the mission and purpose is paramount! When we share a common vision and ambitious goals, collaboration becomes significantly smoother.
As a learning and development company, we embody this principle ourselves. We recognize the crucial role of training in this field and effective communication in achieving success.
Can you share some insights into your company’s focus and investment in research and innovation?
Our research and innovation focus on continuous learning. We remain curious and stay abreast of the latest developments. By understanding the evolving landscape and staying informed about the latest research findings, we can consistently drive innovation. No two of our leadership programs are the same. We are committed to continuous improvement while also tailoring our programs to meet individual needs.
Do you have any advice or tips for startups looking to follow a similar pathway to your company’s success?
There are many individuals who want to do what we do but fail. I believe a significant reason for their failure is starting a business because they love delivering their product or service, but dislike administrative tasks, marketing, and sales. The truth is, almost every company has a variety of tasks that fall into these other areas as well. I have often heard people say, “I don’t like sales.” However, if you cannot sell the product or service you have developed and do not promote it enthusiastically, success is unlikely to be achieved.
Connect with Mette Johansson on LinkedIn.
Find MetaMind Training on LinkedIn.
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