Project Einstein 2010

I had Kristin Birkeland as the creative leader on "Project Einstein" an innovation project created to help releasing the creative potential in the organization. The purpose of the project was to find the future road for Polycom Denmark and in the process I wanted to change the way we are thinking and increase our ability to being open minded. Kristin Birkeland came as the "disturbing element" both in our daily work and in our perception of doing things, this creative tension lead us to innovation: She opened our senses, worked with our presence and our ability to constantly create and learn, individually and together. That combined with Kristins warm, colorful, inspiring and authentic personality made a fantastic result. For companies who dare changing their way of thinking in the way they are doing business I can highly recommend to pass on the baton to Kristin Birkeland.

—Sten Dyrmose, CEO, Polycom Denmark

I have known Kristin Birkeland first as a student, later as a fellow colleague at the KaosPilot International; and without hesitation: it was an outstanding pleasure.

Kristin Birkeland has the ability to find the delicate and unique balance between the hopeful visionary and the concrete tangible. or said in another way: whether she is working with creative young KaosPilot students, or a team of colleagues from a multinational company, Kristin can keep a cool head and a warm heart.

I can therefor warmly recommend Kristin as a loyal colleague, or as a quick-witted extern consultant, or as a mental dance-partner in a given coaching situation.

— Uffe Elbæk, founder and former Headmaster of the KaosPilot International

I have had Kristin Birkeland in on a creative leadership development programme in Vestas. Kristin strikes a delicate balance between a calm and kind approach yet demanding and highly insisting. Through her insightful process she makes you face what`s in the mirror- creating deep reflection leading to powerful learnings. If you meet Kristin with a truly open mind and a will to make real changes - you will, as we did, create outstanding results. I highly recommend you to bring in Kristin for any process where radical change is needed- no, on the other hand; I dare you!

—René Balle, Vice President Global Research, Vestas Vind Systems.

Recommendations:

I have had the pleasure to work with Kristin to prepare and see her execute a thought provoking creative learning session. Participants were our business development department in Hydro Aluminium, an international and diverse group of people. Seeing people go from sceptical to excited is not common day experience, but that was what happened. She has an extremely fine tuned understanding of how to push people into the unknown without making them feel uncomfortable. We wish to have Kristin on board for our next meetings to coach and inspire us further.

—Johanna Maria Öster, Director Sustainability, Hydro, Global Alumina and Smelter Growth.

A dynamic process

Kristin Birkeland has been my coach since 2005, and she still is my fantastic coach. Every goal I have set, I have reached. Every coaching session is different, but it is always creative and dynamic. She is a great support and I have so many dreams for my business. I warmly recommend Kristin as a compassionate and playful coach.

—Christina Nielsen, founder of Clinique Linnéa.

Recommendation regarding teaching at TEKO:

Kristin Birkeland has been responsible for the project "idéa-development" at 5th >semester, Industrial Design, from the 18th-28th of january 2008. The project was for 5 different educational branches: Brand Manager, Product Manager, Fashion-design, Pattern-design and Interior-design. The project involved 60 students.

Kristin has a very fine way of leading and motivating the students. Her good spirit and optimistic attitude is contagious. The project got a swell evaluation from the students: "Good energy from the projectleader," "Very competent," "We have now got new tools for developing ideas," "Good teacher," "Fun exercises," "Great guest-teacher," "Great engagement from Kristin, she was super motivating and inspiring," "Cool having an inspiring soul as Kristin,"

We have been very happy for having Kristin as a Teacher, and we have hopes for future cooperations.

—Birgitta Johansson Educational leader, design fashion, TEKO

Recommendation of Kristin Birkeland

Kristin Birkeland worked with the group of Leaders at gerontopsychriatic department in Region Psykiatrien, Region Midtjylland, distrikt Øst.

Kristins choice of creative methods, and her inspiring and empathic way of managing these methods, represented a perfect ending to a day full of rational discussions and reflections about co-operation.

Through artbased coaching, Kristin helped the group finding new perspectives, both individually and collectively, regarding their co-operation.

The group was happy and surprised about their new findings and got a good experience to refer to, for future actions.

Kristin Birkealnd is playful, focused and sensitive in her work, and meets every participant in a respectful manner.

—Mette Kjærgaard Svendsen HR-Consultant, Can Psych.RegionPsykiatrien, District Øst

Recommendation of Kristin Birkeland

I had the pleasure of having Kristin Birkeland as my team leader during my first year at the KaosPilots 2002-2003.

Kristin has a winning personality that will be an asset to any group or organization in which she will be working in the future. Kristin is filled with passion for the work she is undertaking. She has a unique ability to both inspire and challenge the people she works with to achieve their very best.

Through her work at the KaosPilots Kristin clearly sat an example for her students, on how to navigate in an international context. In my class we were people from five countries, and Kristin manifested how to lead such a diverse group towards a shared vision.

Kristin is not afraid of trying out new and alternative methods, and likes to involve people in the process. I see her ability to make other people responsible and lead themselves as her foremost competence.

I hereby give Kristin my very best recommendations, and wish her all possible success in the future.

—Anne Kjær Riechert, Senior Project Manager, Stoic

Recommendations

Kristin Birkeland is a special warm, considerate and wise person. She was my Team Leader at the KaosPilots. She inspired me to be more brave, to believe more in myself, to learn more and achieve more. Kristin was to me a friend, inspirator, teacher, supporter and midwife for my good ideas- which I am still working with.

—Andreas Kjensli, Journalist and KaosPilot.

Heart, brain, sky`s the limit

Kristin Birkeland has been my coach, my friend and my leader throughout the 3 years I have been a student at the KaosPIlot. Her presence and genuine interest in helping me to move have nourished my development and skills as a KaosPilot. She listen with all her heart. She has the curiosity to be playful in the way she works. She has the courage to challenge and find new perspectives. She has the strength to lead 35 KaosPilots through 3 years. Kristin has given me tools and confidence to meet the world as a KaosPilot.

—Rolf Arne Leer, Creative Partner, 370 °