In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen

Forrest Li, the visionary founder and CEO of Sea, dives into the remarkable journey of building Southeast Asia's largest tech company. He shares insights on the evolution from a gaming distributor to a $100 billion powerhouse, revealing the staggering success of the game Free Fire. Forrest discusses humble leadership inspired by Forrest Gump, local solutions that outmaneuver giants like Alibaba, and the role of AI in enhancing customer service and game production. He also emphasizes the importance of core values and nurturing talent while balancing ambition with humility.

David Vélez, founder and CEO of Nubank, discusses his journey of transforming banking in Latin America. He highlights how his entrepreneurial upbringing shaped his vision for a customer-centric bank. Vélez shares insights into Nubank's rapid customer adoption and strong loyalty driven by superior value and approachable branding. He explores the challenges of scaling and the excitement of digitalizing financial services, as well as his mission to bridge the financial inclusion gap across the region.

David Vélez, founder and CEO of Nubank, shares his inspiring journey transforming banking across Latin America. He reveals his personal frustrations with traditional banking, sparking the idea for Nubank. The conversation dives into Nubank's unique branding, customer obsession, and viral growth strategies, including the innovative use of waiting lists. Vélez discusses the societal responsibility of banks and how Nubank is expanding its impact across countries. His insights on leadership and fostering a mission-driven culture provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Johan Norberg, an author and historian known for his insights on openness and globalization, dives into the rise and fall of civilizations. He discusses how golden ages are defined by cultural and scientific flourishing but can end when societies retreat into defensive mindsets. Immigration, he argues, has been essential for thriving cultures. Norberg emphasizes the importance of strategic tolerance and the willingness to change one's mind to combat polarization and boost innovation, warning that decline can be rapid if societal confidence wavers.

In this enlightening discussion, Johan Norberg, an acclaimed author and historian, delves into the rise and fall of civilizations. He examines the key role of openness in innovation and the immigration phenomenon that fuels creativity. Norberg warns about the dangers of protectionism, sharing historical lessons from golden ages that decline when societies turn inward. He advocates for 'strategic tolerance' and emphasizes how modern issues might signal a waning golden age. Changing one's mind is seen as a strength, vital for personal and societal growth.

Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, CEO of Temasek and a former leader at a prominent Singapore law firm, shares insights into the investment giant's philosophy. He discusses the shift from public to private markets and how Temasek navigates global investments while emphasizing relationship-focused strategies. Dilhan highlights Singapore's governance successes, attributing it to strong leadership and a high-caliber civil service. This conversation reveals the delicate balance between financial returns and social impact in Temasek's operations.

Dilhan Pillay, CEO of Temasek, leads Singapore's influential investment firm with a long-term focus. He discusses how Temasek balances financial returns with social impact and explores the importance of governance and operational independence from the government. Dilhan emphasizes navigating geopolitical challenges and the integration of AI into their strategies. He shares insights on relationship-driven investing and highlights Singapore's success built on integrity and meritocracy, providing personal advice for lifelong learning.

Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of LEGO since 2017, shares insights into the iconic company's creative strategies. He discusses how LEGO competes for kids' attention amidst digital distractions and the importance of fostering imagination. The conversation highlights LEGO’s commitment to sustainability and innovative product development, including a focus on greener materials. Christiansen also elaborates on his leadership style, emphasizing the balance between creativity and execution, while sharing the magic that connects generations through LEGO bricks.

Niels B. Christiansen, the CEO of LEGO, shares insights on the company's journey since 2017. He discusses the challenge of competing for children's attention in the digital age and emphasizes the importance of intergenerational play. Niels highlights the balance of creativity and complexity in product development, including launching hundreds of new items each year. He also addresses sustainability efforts, the role of AI in future designs, and the significance of learning from failures to shape LEGO's innovative path. A journey through creativity and leadership!

Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck and a former Swedish national rowing champion, discusses the monumental shift from diesel to electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. She shares insights on the industry's transition to autonomous vehicles and the cultural changes necessary for innovation within a traditional company. Rådström highlights her leadership philosophy of 'tough love' and draws parallels between sports and leadership, emphasizing resilience and goal-setting as key components for success.