25th April 2021
Meet the CIO’s | Karin Volo | Inspire: Stockholm
This interview is a part of the Inspire: Cities series – meet the Chief Inspiration Officers. Inspire: Cities is the local arm of the global movement from Inspiring Workplaces. Our mission is to change the world, with you, through the world of work. One workplace, city and community at a time. View the full list of Cities here.
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What does an Inspiring Workplace mean to you?
It’s a place that people love to come to, they get energized by being there and working with the people there, they feel they are contributing and are growing and developing, they are aiming to reach their full potential. The company is doing well and the leaders understand the value of their people and their company culture.
Do you have a personal purpose? A why? Something that drives you daily?
Yes! Absolutely! My purpose is bringing joy to the workplace. Have had this for several years now.
What do you think is the top priority when it comes to people at work this year and why?
Genuinely caring about each other, supporting each other. 2020 forced us to be more open and vulnerable and showed us the basic human need of connection. As countries start to open back up, I think the hybrid workplace and well-being is at the forefront of leader’s minds.
The past 12 months has seen an acceleration of positive change, mostly due to it being enforced upon employers. Change like trust, empowering choice, flexibility, investment in wellbeing and the reduction in the stigma around mental health. Our question is, how many employers stick to this path and how many revert to type?
The employers that do NOT stick to this will suffer. I consider this part of our “new normal” and a lot of good changes are here to stay!
A follow up to the last question. How do they stay the course should they wish to?
Make a commitment to it. Work with these things on a conscious and deliberate way. Trust is a great example….everyone had to trust their employees to do their jobs from home and the majority have. So there’s no excuse for NOT trusting your employees to get the job done.
You’re a founding Chief Inspiration Officer for Inspire: Cities. What are you most looking forward to learning/ sharing with your local community?
RECONNECTING people! We’ve been isolated and separated for too long and it’s not natural. It will be so great to inspire people with the great speakers, the opportunity for great networking, and having in-person meaningful conversations.
Tell us something about your city or the people that make it. Something the rest of us won’t know.
Stockholm is a very clean city with great water where we can go swimming in the middle of the city—in the summer of course. We also have the highest rate of Unicorn companies per capita in the world after Silicon Valley. Stockholm is proud to have companies like Spotify, Skype, H&M, and Ericsson originating from here. And let’s not forget to mention giants from the music industry like Abba as well!
Do you think in-person events will be valued more than ever before after the past 12-18 months?
Yes absolutely!
How do you think attendees will react to The Inspire Ring and our unique event format?
I think people will really appreciate the format and structure a lot! We love the idea!
What are three areas of focus for organizations looking to improve the people experience?
Well-being, developing their people (in order to grow and retain top talent), creating a great culture that attracts and retains great people
What do you think is the most important quality in a leader?
Someone who genuinely cares about the people
What’s your go to productivity trick?
I write down my goals each week and make it a game to check off all of them. I generally get to 90-95% which means I get a lot done!
Who was the last person to inspire you at work and why?
I am privileged to interview so many amazing leaders and CEO’s who truly know how to create an amazing culture inspire me tremendously. That includes leaders like Garry Ridge, Bob Chapman, Rich Sheridan, and Kristen Hadeed
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
A mentor once said to me “good enough is good enough” which means I don’t get stuck in perfectionism and am always moving things forward. I think that is why Evoloshen has grown into the company it is today.
Name one song that fires you up, when you need to get motivated and fast
This Is My Passion by Ehrling
Best place, (other than your own city) that you have ever visited?
Hands down New Zealand—it has to be the most beautiful country on the planet!