Work ethic in the experience industry – About choosing a profession where nothing can go wrong

The clock rings early on a January morning just as the clock strikes 5:45. A new day dawns. Dawns? I take that back; it takes even longer to dawn here. Here and now, winter darkness reigns and it’s hard to get up. But the bags need to be packed; just pull the blanket aside. As I roll the bag behind me through the dirt outside my home, I’m on my way to my third business trip in as many weeks. The journey will again head south via Denmark’s largest workplace – Kastrup Airport – to the final destination, which today is southern Spain.

I am struck by how tired I feel as I approach the car. Last night ended on the couch with the computer in my lap just before midnight. Meetings were to be scheduled, emails were to be answered, and various administrative tasks were to be completed before I could feel ready to focus on the next day, the next task. 

I get into the car, turn on the seat heater and reluctantly drive out of the parking lot. A multitude of thoughts fly through my mind. I need to be at the airport early to get ready for today’s management team meeting. I wonder if I’ll be able to make it in time? The meeting questions take up most of my brain capacity until Osby, where I stop for a much-needed coffee. 

There I give myself time to reflect. I am struck by the fact that my work is constantly oscillating between strategic questions and operational work: from broad global issues to the details of a specific assignment. The variety in the tasks I have should be almost total, and I wonder if others have it like I do?

”Leading a medium-sized entrepreneurial company in the experience industry is truly a challenging task”, While the piping hot coffee is billowing out of the coffee machine at the gas station, I have time to think. The journey continues through Skåne. The fatigue leaves my body. I thank the coffee for that and feel ready to get going. 

I really like Kastrup. It feels like home in a strange way. By now I have been there a few times over the years. It is a place that usually builds up some kind of expectation, whether it is a business trip or a vacation waiting ahead. I like that feeling.

In the armchair inside the SAS Lounge, I continue to reflect on my work as a producer of meetings and events. Why am I still in the industry after so many years? What drives me? What makes me get up every day and go to work? Working long hours, weekends, and being out in the field for weeks? Always with demands for flawless results.

The simple truth is… workaholism. 

In other words, my work is a pleasure that brings me joy = work enthusiasm. Being surrounded by creative colleagues, constantly meeting pleasant and professional clients and having exchanges with talented partners. Enriching myself in the encounter with other people, both intellectually and spiritually. Being in the midst of a world that is constantly changing and that requires constant development. Going from an idea scribbled on a piece of paper to a successful implementation, seeing a desktop product transformed into a perfected experience that changes people and organizations, perhaps forever. All of this gives me energy. 

But this job isn't for everyone. 

This job isn’t for everyone. You have to be passionate about it. You have to love interacting with others and have a natural interest in people. You have to enjoy service and give of yourself so that others feel joy and pleasure. You must always be on your toes and be able to deliver at the highest level – even after a 16-hour workday. 

You have to be passionate about it. You must love meeting new people and have a natural interest in people. You must enjoy serving others and give of yourself so that others feel pleasure and joy. You must always be on your toes and be able to deliver at the highest level – even after a 16-hour workday. 

On the flight to my final destination, I think that despite everything, I have a very fun job, even though it is sometimes demanding. But before I have a chance to feel any self-indulgence, I reason with myself again and add the word ”requirement” to the list of reasons why I feel a workaholic. Requirements are what make us push our limits, what makes us constantly evolve and gain new insights. 

Many of our clients are demanding clients who place very high demands. and are clear about what they want. Often the requirements are intellectual challenges that require new and unique solutions. 

Other times it’s about finding the energy to saddle up one early January morning and get ready to face a new day with new people in a new place. 

I love it.

/Ola

Photo: Stina Svanberg (portrait image), Ola Comstedt