Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar
Tell me the story of your life By Steve Flinders
Some years ago, I was interviewed by a senior German HR manager. Much to my surprise, she only had one question: what’s the story of your life? She told me later that she found the answers she got to this opening gambit in recruitment interviews more revealing than any number of the standard techniques and rarely made a mistake in reading someone’s character. It is true that she had more empathy in her little finger than many managers have in their entire bodies – and I recognise that this approach to interviewing would not work in large organisations that need standardised recruitment and assessment procedures across departments and countries. But it is also true that many such procedures are agonisingly bureaucratic and devoid of human spirit.
Since that illuminating moment, I have used the same opening countless times myself in one-to-one training and coaching, both to analyse clients’ needs and to build relationships. The results are always very revealing, both in terms of what people say and what they do not say. Some people can tell their life story in ten minutes, some take two or three hours without interruption. Some talk only about their professional life and say nothing about their personal life. Some start their story in their twenties; other tales begin before conception. But one thing that I have noticed frequently, and which still fascinates, concerns and rather baffles me, is how many people need little prompting to talk about their children and even household pets, but completely fail to make any mention of their spouse or partner.
I love talking to people and I believe strongly in what the Oxford historian, Theodore Zeldin, calls ‘the transforming power of conversation’. This is a great way to really find out about people and to start such conversations. How would you reply?
Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.
Business Calendar Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month By Heidi Kokborg | Photo: DUCC
Nordic Drinks Every Thursday of the month, members and friends of the Danish, Finnish and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce in the UK gather for drinks. This month the drinks will be held at SEB in central London. Remember to come early as the first 50 get a free drink! Date: 27 April, 6pm Venue: SEB, 1 Carter Lane, London, EC4V 5AN www.ducc.co.uk
Entrepreneurship Forum 2017: Tech Outside the Box For the second year, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Entrepreneurship Forum. This year’s theme is ‘Tech Outside the Box’. You will hear three inspiring talks from leading tech innovators and investors. All three are examples of how the power of entrepreneurial thinking can have an impact where you least expect it. Sweden is quickly becom-
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ing one of the world’s IT hubs with almost as many tech start-ups as Silicon Valley, and high technology makes up over 15 per cent of its manufacturing export. Date: 2 May Venue: Grange St Paul’s, 10 Godliman St, London EC4V 5AJ www.scc.org.uk
The DUCC Annual Dinner 2017 This year, the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala Dinner will be held at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, London. The guest of honour and dinner speaker is Vivien Life, director of Free Trade Agreements, Trade Policy Group, Department for International Trade. Date: 11 May, 6.30pm Venue: Middle Temple Lane, London EC4Y 9BT www.ducc.co.uk
Danish Women and Danish Church annual bazaar Every year in May, Danish Women in England and the Danish Church in London hold their annual bazaar. Many Danes and Brits visit the bazaar for a festive day of fun and to buy craft, design, art and books. In the church and garden, there are food stalls selling drinks, hotdogs and classic Danish open sandwiches. There will be children’s activities in the garden as well. Date: 13 May, 11am Venue: The Danish Church, 4 St Katharine’s Precinct, London, NW1 4HH www.danskekirker.org