27Jan2026
Leader’s Digest | January 2026
by: Nordic Business Forum
Welcome to the first 2026 edition of the Leader’s Digest, your monthly guide to business leadership. This time, we’ll explore the topic of performance.
Contents
- Rethinking Development in 2026
- 8 Productivity Tips for Neurodivergent Professionals
- How to Create a Success Mindset
- Speaker of the Month: Rahaf Harfoush
- Update: 8,000 Tickets Sold for NBF 2026
- Inspirational Quote by James Hewitt
New Leadership Insights
Rethinking Development in 2026
— Insights from Nordic Business Forum 2025 Speakers
For many of us, the beginning of a new year is a natural time to start fresh. But how to improve your or your organization’s performance in 2026?
In the first video of our Behind the NBF 2025 Keynotes series, Peter Hinssen, Diana Kander, and Risto Siilasmaa share their ideas on how to perform in the year to come (and beyond). A few quick thoughts that stayed with us were:
Peter Hinssen: A mindset shift is much more important than excellent use of technology if you want to succeed in the future. Is your role to survive or to thrive? ”Be bold on the vision, but flexible on the details.”
Diana Kander: Judge your growth based on your “reverse resume” (= the things you’ve said no to). If the things you are saying no to are getting better each year, then you’re actually doing even more amazing things—and that means you’re growing.
Risto Siilasmaa: It’s essential to iterate. The environment we operate in forces us to not stick with our original plan, but rather course correct on a regular basis.
Watch the full video for more insights!
8 Productivity Tips for Neurodivergent Professionals
— From a Gen Z ADHDer
Our Content and Media Specialist, Olivia, wrote a refreshingly honest and practical blog about work life productivity and ADHD. While it’s written from one neurodivergent professional to another, we actually believe everyone leading a diverse team can benefit from reading it.
To give you a taste, here are Olivia’s 8 insights in a nutshell:
1. Don’t plan and execute on the same day
Plan on one day, then execute on another. This way, you’ll have energy and inspiration for the execution as well. Also, it leaves room for subconscious processing.
2. Start doing something—anything
Momentum matters more than starting with the most difficult or “right” task. Trick your brain into action with something easy and fun.
3. Don’t stop when you’re in flow
When focus hits, protect it at all costs. Keep snacks ready, avoid unnecessary breaks, and ride the wave while it lasts.
4. Fidgeting is fine
Movement helps to regulate attention. Do whatever helps you stay present: fidget toys, doodling, walking meetings, etc.
5. Mind your stimulation level
Listen to yourself actively to notice under- and overstimulation. Learn the signs and tweak your environment accordingly to rebalance your focus.
6. Stop trying to be something you’re not
“Just do it” doesn’t work for everyone. Self-compassion and creative ways that actually work for you are what matter.
7. Ask for the help you need
You’re not selfish for needing support. Be open about your needs, collaborate with others, and invite accountability.
8. Sleep
Sounds simple, but it’s not. And it’s the foundation for everything. However it looks for you, prioritize getting enough rest.
How to Create a Success Mindset
— Mel Robbins Podcast with Angela Duckworth
NBF 2026 speaker, Angela Duckworth, was recently a guest in the Mel Robbins podcast talking about high performance, grit, and growth mindset. We took many several learnings from the discussion, and here are a few for you to begin with:
Grit is about consistency
“Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” But one of the key takeaways in Angela’s research is that elite performers aren’t always operating at 110%—they just show up consistently.
Growth mindset is the key to long-term improvement
“If you have a growth mindset, your theory is that human ability fundamentally is changeable.” A growth mindset helps you learn and move on from failures, which is why embracing this mindset is essential for anyone aiming to improve performance.
Effort counts twice
Angela highlighted that while talent matters, it’s actually effort that matters even more. “Of course, talent figures into the equation, but effort counts twice because 1) it unlocks that talent and turns it into skill, and 2) it unlocks that skill and turns it into actual tangible achievements.”
Performance starts with picking something you actually enjoy
When Mel explained that to her grit sounds like it includes suffering, Angela underlined that it should actually start with “choose easy”. It might sound counterintuitive, but interest and energy matter. Performance grows when you match your purpose with your passion—so start with what naturally captures your attention.
We highly recommend to check the full podcast conversation for more!
New Leadership Insights
Speaker of the Month: Rahaf Harfoush
Rahaf Harfoush is a digital anthropologist, author, and Executive Director of the Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture. Her research explores the intersection of technology, culture, and innovation. Formerly part of President Obama’s digital campaign team, Rahaf is a trusted voice on the human cost of productivity obsession.
At NBF 2026, Rahaf will share her top tips on mastering focus through daily rituals, intentional tech use, and value-driven choices.
Over 8,000 Tickets Sold for Nordic Business Forum 2026
We’ve broken our previous record: we’ve sold more tickets to our Nordic Business Forum event than ever before. Over 8,000 of you have already decided to join us! And that means that we’re over 94% sold out – 8 months before the event
We want to say 8,000 times thank you for the trust and excitement, we are truly grateful
On 16-17 September, we’ll focus on The Human Edge theme from the perspectives of performance, decision-making, and collaboration. Speakers such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Bartlett, Angela Duckworth, Nando Parrado, and Patty McCord will share their top insights and experiences around those themes.
There are 400+ tickets left, and we expect to be sold out within the next few months.
We hope to see you at NBF 2026 in Helsinki next September!
Stop and Think
“Perhaps the real danger isn’t that machines and AI are going to start working more like humans. It’s that we humans will keep trying to work like machines. We can’t always be on.”
– James Hewitt
