06 Leading With Your Whole Self with Kristjan Mathiesen

Meet Kristján G. Mathiesen (KGM), an "Icelander living in the States", an innovative tech leader who prioritizes being genuinely human in this AI-first world! He leads with humor, empathy, and curiosity to connect with people and help them feel confident in technology. His love for teamwork shapes how he shows up at work and in life. These are 3 of the many remarkable Kristján shares in his usual unassuming and authentic manner: 1. Being genuinely human is a leadership superpower. Kristján’s biggest turning point was realizing he couldn’t “play the manager.” The moment he stopped performing and started showing up as his real, imperfect, human self, trust deepened and relationships transformed. 2. Context, culture, and connection shape how people work. Having lived across Iceland, the UK, and the US, Kristján brings wide‑angle empathy to global teams. He sees how culture, identity, and background influence expectations—and why genuine curiosity and connection matter more than ever. 3. Empathy takes energy - and it makes all the difference! Being human at work takes energy. Emotional presence doesn’t clock out at 5 PM. But when teams reciprocate with trust, humor, and openness, they create the kind of culture people want to stay in—especially in an AI-driven workplace.   Connect with Kristjan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristjanmathiesen/  Connect with me - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meenakshi-iyer-northstar/  Learn more about NorthStar Solutions and Services LLC - Unpacking Leadership™ at the "Messy Middle"