Fredrik Haren, a motivational speaker – You can change person’s way of thinking in only one hour

(Fredrik Haren)

Fredrik Haren is a Swedish entrepreneur, a publisher and an author who lives in Singapore now. He is a founder of a creative company, Interesting.org. So far, he has had over 1.500 lectures in more than 50 countries worldwide. He is the author of the books in business creativity field. His best seller is The Idea Book, ranked in 100 best business books of all times.

The event of Frederik Heren in Belgrade was a rare opportunity that expert public enjoys his lectures "Small world requires big ideas”, a unique view of the world and general growing globalization. FCB Afirma in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Belgrade enabled the performance of the leading Swedish and probably most appreciated Nordic speaker in the world.

eKapija: To what extent does the creativity level differentiate when it comes to people in developed countries from the ones living in developing countries? Where should we expect to see more innovations?

- My book, Developing world, actually originated as a result of studying creativity in many countries. So far, I can say that the biggest difference is between developed countries and developing ones in the energy level which its citizens have. The energy level in developing countries is much higher.

Developed is defined as complete. This is why the difference in mentality is so visible. While in developed countries they think they did everything they could, people in developing countries people are more aware of the fact how much they do not know and thus they put more effort. They are more open for new ideas, hungrier for new knowledge, etc.

eKapija: Can we say some countries are particularly more creative than others?

- I often discuss whether developing countries are more creative since they testify constant changes which means they often have to adapt. Therefore, I think it is much better to be (to do business) in a developing country because you are more open and ready to change.

It is also one of the reasons why I moved from Sweden to Singapore.

eKapija: How do you see connection between creativity and experience?

- I usually say that creativity and experience combine, that actually a winning combination is a mix of creativity and experience. The more you are experienced, the more you know. Potentially, it is more likely that you will be able to use it. However, why then a number of innovations are coming from the young people? Because the older people think they are complete and that they know enough.

eKapija: When are people the most productive then in the innovation and creativity field?

- The best time is when you graduate. You have the knowledge you acquired and on the other hand you are ready for challenges. You have knowledge and you are not socially framed. Even when it comes to faculties, I think students in developing countries have an advantage because they face the question and wonder what the best solution is and not with the question of what the best solution has been so far and which we can apply now.”

eKapija: What motivation, i.e. a motivational speaker can do for a company business in real sector?

- The entire idea when it comes to motivational speakers is to make people form the company change their way of thinking. You would not believe it but you can change the stream of thoughts of one man in only an hour!

eKapija: Even the way of thinking of general managers? Who is easier to change – management or employees?

- Actually, general managers are pretty good at opinion changing. Middle management is the one which is most difficult to change because they are stuck in the structure where they actually cannot think. They have pressure from their superiors as well as from their subordinates.

Managers, on the other hand, if they run business in the right way, will always find time for innovations and development.

J.DJ.