My guest today is Tore Rich, a product manager working with generative AI at J.P. Politikens Hus, Denmark's largest media company - and a former journalist who quietly taught himself to code on the side.

What struck me most about Tore's story isn't the career pivot itself - it's how he thought through it. He didn't chase the fantasy of the big exit. He built something real, tested it with actual users, and moved deliberately. That's a coaching lesson right there.

We talk about what it actually takes to bet on yourself - how to weigh security against possibility, how to know when you're ready, and why "going with your flow" isn't always the right advice. Sometimes the most valuable growth happens when you push directly into what doesn't come naturally.

Tore also shares something I find myself coming back to: the idea that combining two seemingly unrelated worlds - in his case journalism and technology - can create a unique edge that neither field produces alone.

If you're a leader navigating a career crossroads, managing a team through rapid change, or just wondering whether the risk is worth it, this conversation has something for you.

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Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpod

Explore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.com

Want to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.com

Learn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJC

Get in touch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/

Email: info@scaleyou.org

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Volquards Ekstrøm - a seasoned managing director with a finance background and a career built inside owner-managed companies across Scandinavia and Europe. Peter recently made a bold life decision: leaving behind a long-established network in Aarhus to relocate to Malmö and take on a role in Germany, all in pursuit of something more meaningful - both personally and professionally.

What struck me most in our conversation was how clearly Peter understands his own motivations. We dig into what it really takes to make a courageous career move - not just the logistics, but the mindset behind it. Peter draws a sharp distinction I think every leader should sit with: working hard for something you don't care about is stress; working hard for something you care about is passion.

We also explore decision-making in lean organizations, the value of clear accountability structures, navigating cross-cultural leadership, and why "just try it" might be the most underrated coaching reframe there is.

If you're a leader weighing a big transition - in role, geography, or identity - this conversation will give you both a framework and permission to move forward.

-

Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpod

Explore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.com

Want to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.com

Learn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJC

Get in touch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/

Email: info@scaleyou.org

-

Curious about coaching? Book a 15 minute introductory conversation with Michael: https://calendly.com/scaleyou/mgpod

Explore THE #1 source for professional and peer coaching - and become one yourself at PeerPlaza: https://peerplaza.com

Want to step away from the noise and rethink leadership? Join one of our Coaching and Walking Retreats: https://scaleyouretreats.com

Learn more about coaching, mentoring, and human–AI collaboration in Michael Hoffman’s book: The Power of Coaching and Mentoring: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C28S43G5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_FJSXJ63FPQA26258WQJC

Get in touch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhoffmanexecutivecoach/

Email: info@scaleyou.org