Oddi Aasheim: How Great Leaders Inspire Action Without Certainty

21st Century Entrepreneurship

Oddi Aasheim is a seasoned leader and problem-solver who has worked with organizations like Shell, Accenture, and First Human. We spoke about what true leadership looks like when there are no clear answers and how to mobilize teams to create impactful futures rather than just solve problems.

Aasheim shared how most leaders get trapped in a cycle of accumulating knowledge to solve immediate issues rather than stepping back to envision and create new possibilities. Reflecting on his career, he recounted a pivotal moment at Shell: "We redesigned the organization and launched it—yet nothing changed." This realization led him to explore a deeper question: “What is it that actually has us do what we do and not do what we don’t?”

Key takeaways from the conversation:

1. Lead Without Needing All the Answers: Leadership is about inspiring people toward an exciting future, not directing every step. As Aasheim puts it: "Leadership is seeing what's possible and making it happen without having the answers."
2. Shift from Problem-Fixing to Future-Creating: He shared a story of a biofuels company that transformed its mindset from “solving fewer problems” to “building a successful, growing company.” This shift re-energized the team and attracted new clients.
3. Engage Clients with Their Future Vision: Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of pitching solutions instead of painting a future their clients want to be part of. Aasheim emphasized: “Nobody is interested in how clever your solution is. They care about what's possible for them now.”

Aasheim also discussed his work with GAFFI, a global charity fighting fungal infections, illustrating how leadership principles can shift behavior and create change on a global scale.

Whether you’re a leader looking to inspire your team or an entrepreneur trying to share your vision, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you connect with others and mobilize action.

For more insights, connect with Oddi at First Human or visit their website for executive resources.