Today, we're stamping our creative passports in one of my favorite capital cities of the world, Copenhagen, Denmark, and my guest Salome Trambach

• Salome describes her favorite hidden coffee spot in Copenhagen, which is in a park behind a university. (Landbohøjskolen Garden. In the garden you will find the cozy Væksthuset café where the barista brewed coffee is so good that the place has won the University Post prize for the University of Copenhagen’s best coffee shop.)
• She talks about the leadership and guidance that is provided to help people start their own businesses. We discuss the idea of moving from founder to leader and what that means for creative people. People often found their own businesses because they feel compelled to break free from the corporate environment.
• Taking small steps that could be big is an important part of life. The person needs to be passionate about their project and have a good reason for starting it in order for people to want to listen.
• Founders should make contingency plans, but not let the fear of the worst-case scenario paralyze them.
• Salome shares her model and her opinion on leadership development and personal development. She says leaders need to understand themselves in order to be effective. Self-awareness and self-mastery lead to trust in oneself, which is necessary to start a business and garner a higher price. It starts with self-worth.
• Salome was Born in Paris, and grew up in Copenhagen; her bio says that she is half French and half Moroccan. Speaks four languages and loves to travel. Learned a love of dance in Ghana. All these things feed her creative spirit. She tells us how she is inspired by nature and the things she has experienced while traveling. She recommends integrating new experiences into your daily life to increase creativity.

Salome 's Website

Salomé Trambach offers years of extraordinary success in a series of high-level roles at top-tier companies that include HybridLedelse.dk, Mentoring Club, LifeX, Softbank's Emerge Accelerator, China Experience, PriceWaterHouseCoopers Mexico, P.20, Gaia Solar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Coloplast, JOY 94.9, and AIESEC Denmark. Salomé is one of the members of the Board of Directors at Movinn (Real Estate) and a Senior Leadership Consultant at Safe2Great (Leadership Consultancy). Salomé is a certified Safe2Great Practitioner with a focus on Culture Assessment, Growth Mindset & Psychological Safety. Salomé’s invaluable expertise and broad business experience have powered a history of developing successful process improvements that drive productivity, reliability, and client satisfaction.

@salometrambach on Instagram

Copyright 2024 Mark Stinson

 Welcome back friends to our podcast, unlocking Your World of Creativity. We're the podcast, we're literally going around the world to talk to creative practitioners about how they get inspired and how they organize those ideas, and most of all, how we gain the confidence and the connections to launch our work out into the world.

And today, we're stamping our creative passports and one of my favorite capital cities of the world, Copenhagen, Denmark, and my guest Salome Trambach Salome, welcome to the.

Thank you. I love that you just said that Copenhagen is one of your favorite capitals. I love it myself. .

Yeah. It's really beautiful.

I haven't been there in years, but I was just talking about if I could spend, I don't know, a month, six weeks in Europe Copenhagen would definitely be on my

You are welcome, . You are welcome.

I'd love to show you around. Yeah, no, I know somebody really close there and we'll let's just paint that picture.

Let's imagine I come to Copenhagen, we're having a nice coffee and catching up and getting to know each other better and getting to know the city. Where would you like to have coffee? Paint the picture for us about your favorite coffee spot and what that looks like and feels like to.

Yeah, so actually going to coffee places is really one of my favorite things to do in Copenhagen. So I think I know majority of them. And there is one in particular, which I find extremely cute, which is completely hidden from. Any guidebooks or most copenhageners don't really know about it. Actually, there's this really cute park behind a university in Danish.

It's called . So this is where, it's agriculture and it's things like that, that people are learning about plants and learning to , yeah. Learning a lot within that field. And they have a little coffee shop there with the view of the park and all the flowers and it is absolutely amazing.

The coffee is delicious. So the setting there would be very inspirational and enables you to both be present with who you're sitting with, but also, get a little bit creative with what you're thinking. Based on the scenery. So it's beautiful. I love that.

And I know the last time I visited I was so excited.

I said everybody rides their bike. Maybe I'll get on a bike and ride around town. But once I saw it, it was more like the Tour de France and I was pretty sure I would be run over if I made a wrong move. ,

ooh, I'm not gonna disagree with you. It's a little bit challenging to be a tourist and to be biking because if you don't know the ground rules, Biking on our bike lanes, the Danes and the Copenhageners get really upset.

Yeah, exactly. And it is fast, especially, so you have to avoid peak times going to work, leaving work, because that's when it's happening really fast. Formula one, and and then you just need to learn the basics, I love that. And then you'll, and then you can be okay. It is a fabulous, it was a similar

experience as I.

Scooter in Hanoi. It's I'm not gonna

Oof God. Oh my gosh. Yes. That sounds amazing. You

the picture, it's the same thing, . Yes, exactly. It's don't make a wrong turn. You have to know the rules of the road.

Yeah. It seems like it's like organized chaos over there, right? It's incredible.

Totally. Salome, I'm glad we set the friends and family tone here, but I wanna talk about the leadership, council and guidance and training and development that you provide. And I thought we would focus a little bit on the founder. That you work with and some of the programs and focus you have on that.

Even that word has a certain connotation, doesn't it? What's been your

experience? Yeah, it does. I think obviously the concept of being a founder can seem very scary to some people because, going from having an idea and having an incredible passion to wanna do something really important in the world and make it change.

Versus actually taking action. And often when you're founding a company, you are also going out there and asking for funding. So it's a journey that is that, that where you start alone, but you get a lot of people along with you on the journey. And so that demands a little bit of consideration in terms of where it is that you wanna take this and what it is that you wanna do.

But I work with people. Are actually a little bit of mixes in terms of their journeys where they are. Some of them have, some of them haven't started yet. They're sitting there and they have all these amazing ideas, or one in particular, but they're struggling with their next steps and what to do.

And then I'm working with people who already have a team who are, really transferring from being a founder to a leader and what that looks. And so I think when we think about what that means in the creative world, because obviously we imagine that founders are people that have brilliant ideas and that are very courageous, that are just jumping into the world and just starting something.

But the thought process is actually a really interesting one because. There are people just like you and me who maybe have to a certain extent, a little bit more courage than maybe some of us do have, because they are willing to take that risk. But before going there, there's a lot of insecurities and a lot of uncertainties that still show up.

And here it's really about. and I, and it's a weird concept, but we hear a lot about it and it's happening everywhere, but this whole concept of imposter syndrome, right? I The fear of am I going to be good enough , with what I wanna do because there's other people out there well,

that are also, and the idea potentially doing, yeah.

And the idea that I might have skills, but do I have, what it takes

once, do I have what it takes?

And I think about the people who. For one, Hey, I always wanted to start my own shop, and isn't this exciting? But there are other people who this has been thrust upon, maybe through, layoffs or right sizing or, all the other euphemisms we use or, yeah.

I simply can't do, and this is the great resignation mantra, right? I just can't do it anymore in the corporate environment. So I must, I feel compelled to break. On my own. Yeah, so there could be a lot of different reasons people are founding their own.

Exactly, and I think that what really happens there is you go from feeling uncertainty and I mean you, you still feel all those things, the fear of starting something, but you're really turning that into an opportunity and saying I'm willing to take the risk and I have.

Analyze the potential consequences, and I'm willing to go for it no matter what. And I think that's it's really exciting and I went through that phase, myself going into coaching executive coaching and founders coaching and, leaving the space I was in. And it wasn't a easy decision, but I was like, you know what's the worst thing that could happen?

Let me just, Do it. And I think going and jumping out of your comfort zone is probably one of the most important things you can ever do. If you wanna tap into that part of you that is filled with all these insane ideas and passions that you maybe just don't really know that you have, and. It can look like starting a business, but it also, it starts, before that all the different steps that you take.

Reaching out to a new person that you are, that you're admiring or that you're inspiring, that you're inspired by saying, Hey, I'd like to chat with you. You inspire me. Do you have 15 minutes to spare? That's stepping out of your comfort zone. You might get rejected doing that. Or saying, I don't know exactly what I'm gonna do.

I need to get my mind in order. Let me take a trip somewhere. Let me just do something that's completely different than what I normally do. Let me change my environment completely and see what happens. These kinds of things are often. Lead to then more important decisions that we take in our lives.

But making those small steps that could actually be quite big are an important important part of the journey. Yes.

And I think about your statement, what's the worst that can happen? Certainly we need to do contingency planning and this turn or that turn. But boy, that can be overwhelming.

You, you do have the excitement, but if you dwell on the, what's the worst that can happen, all of a sudden, you're in a canyon you're falling into the precipice of. Of pessimism because it can't be a little daunting. How do you find that balance then? How do you suggest that Founders Yes.

Make plans and think about what, X, y, Z could go wrong and how you would address it. But stay the course.

On one hand there's a dream, and on the other hand there's the plan. So the dream is really around on one. Really creating that change that you wanna see. Often when you found something new, you have an idea to have an impact on society in your community.

Something maybe it's related to some of the crazy challenges and crisises that we're living throughout. Our world right now. And that really, needs a lot of new ideas and creativity. And so these founders come up with something amazing that can maybe change the world. And that's a huge dream that they have without knowing if it's actually necessarily a hundred percent possible in the real world.

And then there's the part of who are you? Like why are you the right person to do this? And it's really. . I tell people, I'm like, you have to be willing to go down that journey to meet that person, to meet the version of you that you don't know. and that you are going to be so thrilled to get to know, and you won't know who this person is unless you take that step.

And so that's really that dream and that risk-taking aspect of it. And that has to be there cuz otherwise, if you're not passionate about what you're doing, then the plan doesn't matter. . Yes. Cuz then, who's gonna, who's gonna wanna listen to you? People don't wanna listen.

The plan, they wanna listen to the story. What's the story that you bring? What's the reason you're starting this? So first, that's the most important part, right? And then it's about saying, okay, what's out there? What's the worst that can happen? What are some things that you know that I need to have set in place to make sure that I have.

not necessarily to have that plan B, but to have an opportunity to say, okay, this didn't work out. And maybe that's okay because a lot of founders, fail and that's why they become great. And and they learn from that failure and they take another opportunity from that. So really it's what are all the things you can learn.

That's really what we're here for, right? On this planet to just keep learning all the time. And I think if we put ourselves in situations that are new, that's where we will really thrive.

Salome I can only, I wanted to talk about the methodology, the models, the process because as much as we would just love to have coffee and encourage each other, I have a sense that there's more to it than that.

You have a great model or schematic. On your website that, has a left and a right. Leadership development and personal development. And I love what you said about getting to know yourself and these are two yeah. Key parts of this model. The self mastery, and the self-awareness.

Yes. Walk us through a little bit of that, in this step by step process that you use when you are coaching or developing.

Yes. I think that exactly what you're saying, one of the main things before you lead before you manage well, you have to lead yourself well, and so that requires.

Courage to actually get to know yourself a lot better. You need to know what it is that, what behaviors it is that are, driving your day to day, what emotional states you're going through when you do certain things. A part of my process, first of all. So one of the things that I do use is, is mindfulness.

I use meditation because it is one of the key aspects for really taking, really separating between everything that's happening in your day to day. Coming into a coaching session and saying, okay, where are we? Where are you? Let's just take a deep, a deep breath and let's reflect. You need to reflect a little bit on who you are.

You need to start feeling who you are. And so mindfulness and meditation is a big part of what I do. Because it's the first step in, in awareness. Becoming aware of what you're doing because all the things that I do with my clients is in that self-awareness process. Understanding your values, understanding your strengths, understanding your behaviors.

You are doing that not just with me, but you're doing it in relation to what's happening in your environment, in your workspace, with your family, potentially with the people that you wanna start a business with. There's a lot there that helps you to get more grounded and to really establish that foundation that is needed to.

Actually be a good leader and turn everything that you've known, everything that you've learned into. How do I then use this with other people? How do I then use this in my leadership? And how do I then use this to create impact, to tell a story, to brand myself to empower the people around me, to yeah, to communicate my message.

So this. , the first step is really the self. It's, there's no way around it. . Yes. We have to start

there. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. We've had other guests on the podcast talking about the financial acumen that a founder has to have. Obviously you have to know your numbers. Maybe we could even learn from you, you founded your own company and you must have thought about the price levels.

Am I worth it? This imposter syndrome you thought about, in developing, here's my. I do have packages, I do have subscriptions. I have a lot of other ways we could work together. What could we learn about that? Self-awareness and self mastery in, in the financial side of it.

I think once you step into that self-awareness side, you also learn to trust yourself more, and you learn to be a bit more confident in what you're doing. If you have a reason to start a business, whether it's a coaching business or starting a company that's there to change the world, a tech company or what have you not, it's because you have, a great idea and you have to trust yourself first.

that you are the right person and that idea is worth it. , once you have established that trust you can then say if this is something that the world needs, then what is the price really? The right person will pay that right price. And so it really starts there with the confidence because once you have that, you can go in and you can do, your research in terms of what does it look like in the market and things like that.

But if you don't trust it, you have to be able to have a regular conversation with someone where you are. Communicating your message and communicating what you're delivering. And at that same conversation, with that same passion and that same confidence say, and this is what I charge , and this is my price.

Yes. , this is where you can book me like you have to, it has to be the same tone throughout that whole conversation, right? And that takes a little bit of work. And I think a lot of people go through that. And it is very much just linked back to, am I worth it? Am I enough? People are gonna be listening to me, comparing yourself to others and all of that.

So it's, it, the financial aspect is it's le it leads back to confidence

there, you. Yeah. Well, I'd like to turn the page to your own creative process and your own creativity and inspiration. Born in Paris, grew up in Copenhagen. You say in your bio that you're half French, Moroccan.

I love that. Speak four languages. You love to travel. You learned your love of dance in Ghana. What are some of the things that feed you and your creative. .

The main thing really is. Nature and the mountains. So I realized I, I was living in China at some point in China. I was living in Shanghai, super hectic city.

So many people all over the place. And I was intrigued by all the different things that were possible to do out in the suburbs of up Shanghai. And there I found the incredible Chinese. And it was the first time that I felt really in touch with nature because there was unless you're traveling on a Chinese holiday, there is probably not going to be a single person that you're going to meet on your way.

So it was really an opportunity to really connect with nature in a very special way. And so that really that really did everything for me. It was where I had my most incredible ideas and thoughts where I was most compassionate with myself, and therefore I've had to integrate it into my, not, I'm not gonna say daily practice because I live in Copenhagen, it's the flattest country.

But in my practice in terms of how does this feed me and how do I then. How do I then make sure that it's the part of my of my life? I go to the mountains, I go skiing, hiking all these different things. And I plan it in throughout the year. So if I know I'm going, I'll do retreats with myself, I'll do retreats with friends.

I'll get to know new people I go to these digital nomad houses around the. And I think it's really important for people if I can, turn this into an advice because I didn't know that this was that this became so important to me. I just realized that once I was there, that, oh shit, this is where I'm feeling the most.

Inspired. So I really recommend that for people when they find that thing, whether it's when they're out dancing or when they're in a new city, or if they're, trying out a new sport or whatever it is, that they then really integrate that into their daily lives because they'll realize how much more creative they're actually gonna be become.

And because it's, that's, it's that space that you can allow yourself to take from the busy day-to-day where we don't even get a second to. Just breathe and just think and just be focused on 1, 1, 1 thing. . So that would be my advice and that's really how I do it. And of course, mindfulness meditation is a big part of it.

And honestly, sometimes it can really not scare people off, but it can be like, To me, meditation and mindfulness isn't just necessarily sitting down and just doing breath work. It can be anything for anyone. If it's for you, it could be going out for a run, whatever it is for that individual person that gives you peace.

And that enables you to really stop your mind for a little while. That's the medi meditative practice that you need in your. Yes, so I do that a lot. And then journaling, that is one thing. I have to mention it because I really advise a lot of the executives and founders that I work with to journal, because you have a lot of ideas, you have a lot of thoughts, whether it's concerns, whatever it is, every single evening, I tell them you have to write a few things about your day, whether it's something good that happened or bad.

Because first of all, you get it out of your system, and second of all, it will then, because you've gotten that, gotten it out of your system, leave space for something new. . So definitely recommend that people do that.

I like this and I like that what you're saying is you're using the word advice, but I have the sense this is not just a knowledge base.

You know what would be good for you? You know what you oughta do, but rather you have done it. , this is your experience and you say, this is what I've done for myself and this might work for you too, yeah. In this quote that you have next to your bio to show up for others, you have to show up for yourself first, and it sounds like you have tried to integrate some of these creative practices in your own work and life.

Absolutely. And it's not, we change throughout our lives. So the practice that works for you today may not be what you need in two weeks or in a year. So just, change. . There's nothing wrong with change. That's what we do. We learn, we change, we do something different. And that's great. You don't have to be attached to one particular thing if that's not what works for you in the long run, and you don't, and you definitely shouldn't necessarily identify with something for too long, either sense out what feels good and then.

do that and you'll blossom and everybody around you blossom together with you .

Oh, that's a good question actually, because I'm really the kind of person that has never I've never had, what are they called? New Year's resolutions or things like that. I just do them throughout the year. I think that if, there is one thing though, that a really good friend of mine who's a therapist, she Nora is her name.

And so for me my main goal now is to, because my passion. is the mountains. I am trying to now develop something within my own business where that will bridge the leadership coaching with the mountains in one way or another so that it can be fully integrated. And so that is really my next goal to do that.

So hopefully in the next year there will be an opportunity to come and spend time with me in the mountains, whether it's in the Alps, in France, or somewhere else. And and do a little bit of. Self mastery diving into and you know how to create a positive impact around. But that is my next step.

I can feel the passion that you have for the idea . Absolutely, yes. This would be a great time then, I think, to tell people how to connect with you and learn more about your work and then make sure we're connected. When we hear about some of these new things coming, how can

we find you? Yes.

Two main ways I would say. There's my website, which is my name, so it's SalomeTrambach (dot) com, but also LinkedIn. LinkedIn is really my preferred social network, and it's also the same, it's Salome Trambach that you can find me on there and I'd love to connect with you and chat with you.

Honestly, for me, just talking to people who are passionate about self-development, leadership, nature, anything like that, I'd love to have conversations. So definitely. , welcome to Connect with

me. Very good. We'll put all those links in the show notes so people can reference them and be sure to, and of course, the coffee shop in Copenhagen will look for you, the

coffee shop.

Yes, absolutely. If you need any other tips in Copenhagen, you're welcome to reach out. Or if you want to have a coffee with someone in Copenhagen, I'm also really willing to do that. Oh,

fantastic. Salome Trambach has been my guest. Salome. I can't thank you enough for the conversation. It's been just wonder.

Mark, it's been a pleasure to chat with you. Very friendly. I really love the vibe I look forward to connecting with you as well

Yeah, sounds good. And listeners, let's stay connected with you. Keep on coming back to our podcast for more inspiration like this and really practical suggestions, ideas, experiences that you'll learn from creative practitioners from all over the world we've been in the Nordic countries today.

But we'll continue our. All over Europe and of course, Asia, Africa, south America, all over North America. We've got creative ideas and inspiration for you as we continue our podcast, so come back again as we continue to unlock your world of creativity. I'm Mark Stinson, and we'll see you soon.