Dag Hammarskjöld’s life was fraught with difficulties in 1961. The Congo Crisis, which began in 1960 and showed no signs of stopping the following year, had become not only a localized disaster but also a Cold War flashpoint. In the summer, Dag’s pet vervet, Greenback, died under bizarre circumstances (read more here.) As hard working […]
Behind the Diplomat: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Humanity Read More »
Most people talk about fear of failure, but what about fear of success? For many, the idea of actually achieving their goals feels just as intimidating as falling short. In this episode, I’ll explore five common signs that you may be holding yourself back, not because you’re afraid to fail, but because you’re afraid
Episode 26: Do You Fear Success? Read More »
Dag Hammarskjöld was a private man—an introvert and an HSP—in a very public office. He learned this lesson quickly when he arrived in New York to assume the Secretary-Generalship. Shortly after taking office, he was ambushed by a group of eager reporters: In the morning, Dag was ready to dive straight into his work—it was
When the Press Pounced: Dag Hammarskjöld’s Desk Invasion Read More »
Ever worked at a company that “valued feedback” and touted an “open door policy” only to discover it was all bunk? Too many managers allow their own ego to rule the show and offices are set up like Survivor dog-eat-dog competitions. But there is a better way and Dag Hammarskjöld implemented it at the United Nations. If
Episode 25: Coffee, Donuts, and Dag Read More »
Long before Dag Hammarskjöld became UN Secretary-General and a figure of unshakable diplomatic resolve, he was a boy with a love of nature and a curious mind, wandering the rocky shores of Sweden. This excerpt from Decoding the Unicorn: A New Look at Dag Hammarskjöld captures a rare glimpse of Dag at twelve—playful, outdoors, and
Where Sea Meets Sky: Dag Hammarskjöld at Twelve Read More »
Peer pressure. Criticism. Trendiness. If you know you’re doing the right thing and staying true to your code of ethics, can you hold the line even under scrutiny? Dag Hammarskjöld certainly did, and we should, too. Sara’s award-winning biography of Dag can be purchased on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Decoding-Unicorn-New-Look-Hammarskj%C3%B6ld-ebook/dp/B0DSCS5PZT Her forthcoming project, Simply Dag, will be available
Episode 24: Staying True To Yourself Read More »
In an age of noise, Dag Hammarskjöld’s leadership whispers across decades. And it’s still heard, meaningful, and relevant. Before the crises, the ceasefires, the global press conferences, and the standoff with Khrushchev, there was Uppsala. Snow muffled the streets in winter. Bells from the cathedral marked the hour with beautiful insistence. And inside the walls
From Uppsala to the UN: The Scandinavian Roots of Dag Hammarskjöld’s Leadership Style Read More »
(But it feels scary) In this episode, let’s talk about willingness—not just the kind that nods politely from the sidelines, but the kind that stands up, takes a deep breath, and walks straight into the unknown. Dag Hammarskjöld wasn’t campaigning to become Secretary-General of the United Nations. In fact, his name wasn’t even in
Episode 23: When You Need to Change & Grow Read More »