Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast

Nick Jonsson – Defeating Loneliness at the Top

August 20, 2023 Marie Gervais Season 6 Episode 16
Culture and Leadership Connections Podcast
Nick Jonsson – Defeating Loneliness at the Top
Show Notes

Bio:
Nick Jonsson holds a Bachelor of Communications in business (specializing in marketing and advertising), and a Master's degree in public relations from Bond University, Australia, where he graduated top of his class. He is also a number one International Best-Selling Author.

Nick is dedicated to raising awareness and eliminating the stigma around the phenomenon of executive loneliness. As the co-founder and managing director of the Singapore branch of EGN (Executives' Global Network), Nick is passionate about matching senior executives in confidential peer groups where they can help each other face challenges and identify opportunities.

Episode Highlights:
In 2015, Nick experienced burnout that made him resign from his job. Seemingly overnight, his lifestyle changed for the worse. Bad habits replaced his good habits, such as drinking beer instead of going for his morning walk. Nick found himself isolated and depressed. He hid his depression for a couple of years, but got to the point where the mask fell off. It was at that point he embarked on a recovery journey.

Executive loneliness is a topic close to Nick's heart, and has shared his story multiple times on different platforms and features in newspapers and magazines.

Links:
Website: https://www.nickjonsson.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-jonsson/

Quotes:
“The pictures we put up of ourselves on social media and how we want people to see us is perhaps not the truth.”

“A problem shared is a problem is already underway to be solved.”

Childhood Incidents:
Nick's parents came from humble backgrounds, and they made it their life mission to change the narrative.

As an adolescent, Nick’s dad once told him that the easiest way is not always the best way. It shaped how he perceived things and made him choose different paths. Today, he feels like his father's words drove him forward as well as set him up for failure.

Influential Groups:
Nick struggled to associate with the culture in Sweden because his father was always working, and he needed someone to guide him. Between the ages of 18-20, Nick joined a group that used to travel around the world. He vividly recalls driving around Europe over the summer.

Religion and spirituality are usually part of many families' foundations, but for Nick, he only got it from school. Nick feels he lacked a greater power than himself as he went out to the world and built his career.

Temperaments and Personality:
Nick believes his temperament is that he never settles for anything. When he was 12 years-old, Nick asked his parents for a motorcycle, but they told him he had to earn it. A year later at the age of 13, he started selling computers and bought himself a motorcycle.

Over the years, Nick has realized that life is not all about him. It is about others and letting go. He now believes in progress over perfection.

Cultural Epiphanies:
Nick believes it takes more work to catch up and learn a new language in every country you move to. You can only become part of the culture if you are settling there.

What Brings the Best in Nick:
Nick believes in being vulnerable and open. He also enjoys working with people who can open up.

Soapbox Moment:
Nick invites us to check out his book, Executive Loneliness, on Amazon and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Tagline: Fighting loneliness at the executive level and embracing progress over perfection.

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