Linus Jonkman visits Mid Sweden University's employer mingle

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Linus Jonkman – author, illustrator and business developer, has with his books and lectures made himself known for challenging our extraverted norms and showing the strength of thoughtfulness and reflection. Since his breakthrough with Introvert – The Silent Revolution (2013) – named HR Book of the Year by the Swedish HR Association – he has published ten books on personality traits, motivation and workplace culture. What they have in common is a warm interest in people and in what happens in the meeting between the individual and the organization.

"I've always been fascinated by how we work together. My books are basically about what happens when people work together – how we can become the best or the worst version of ourselves in a group," he says.

Organizational culture that can be felt in the chest

During his lecture in Swedish, Linus will talk about organizational culture – but not as words on a roll-up, but as a living story that is shaped by the people in it.
"A good company culture is about having something that feels in your chest when you go to work. I usually say that it's about passion – not just livelihoods," he says, describing culture as a tapestry of stories, symbols and values.

The collective power

"It's about gathering the collective power of an organization and being honest about what actually applies – in the big and the small. The balance between care and directness is crucial, or "frames and hugs" as one customer of ours put it. It means seeing each other as whole people, not just as colleagues. Caring means that we care about what is going on in the life of the individual. Directness means that we dare to bring up the elephant in the room and give clear feedback.

"It's not enough to be smart"

With a background as a chef, illustrator and HR manager, Linus has experienced both really good and really bad company cultures. It has shaped his philosophy of courage, vulnerability and what really makes a good colleague – and a good manager.
"I realized that the image I had of a skilled careerist was incomplete. When I understood that it is not enough to be smart, but that you must also be able to meet people, I almost had a small religious crisis. That led me to start studying psychology – and on that path I found my home in the soft.

Bleeding among sharks

One of Linus' central messages is about daring to show yourself human, even in professional contexts.
"I usually say that you should dare to be the one who bleeds next to sharks. Daring to be a little uncomfortable, a little vulnerable – that's often what loosens up the culture and creates real change.

Since the students gather to mingle with employers, and since not everyone thrives in such contexts, he will also give practical advice during his lecture to still get the most out of the meeting. 
"Introverts are often excellent at meeting others, as long as they are given a clear task. Cold talk, on the other hand, is not their strong suit. I will therefore give the students a concrete tool for the Employer Mingle that facilitates the meeting. 

For Linus, it is all about meaning.
"We feel best when we feel that what we do matters – both for ourselves and for others. That's when the job becomes more than a livelihood. There will be embers.

Read more about the employer mingle and sign up on the page Employer mingle - information for students | miun.se

A warm welcome!