By | Published On: March 20, 2025 |

Welcome to Episode 206 of The Executive Edge, the podcast that provides insights and practical skills to help you achieve and maintain success in life and business.

Anders Indset In this episode, I sit down with Anders Indset, a business philosopher with a background in professional sports and strategic leadership.

Exploring the Intersection of Business and Philosophy

Anders shares his journey from being a hardcore capitalist — focused on achieving finite goals— to embracing philosophy as a way to understand leadership and success. He reflects on his shift away from extrinsic motivations and towards a more purpose-driven approach. His belief is that many of the challenges faced by today’s executives are philosophical in nature, and as technology advances, these questions become even more relevant.

The Philosophy of Success: A Journey to Nowhere

One of the key themes Anders discusses is the concept of success and how many leaders are driven by external markers rather than intrinsic fulfillment. He challenges executives to ask themselves: *Am I truly happy with what I am doing?* He emphasizes the importance of values as a guiding principle in leadership and personal growth.

The Problem with Optimization Culture

According to Anders, modern society is obsessed with optimization — driven by external validation, binary thinking, and reaction-based decision-making (such as social media’s ‘thumbs up/thumbs down’ culture). This has led to burnout and exhaustion among leaders. He argues that leadership is about reclaiming agency and shaping one’s own path rather than constantly responding to external demands.

Lessons from ‘The Viking Code’

Indset’s latest book, The Viking Code, explores how to build a high-performance culture rooted in values. Drawing from Norway’s success in sports and business, he discusses how individual excellence and collective success can coexist. Some of the key principles include:

  • Micro-Ambition – Focusing on small, daily improvements rather than just big, long-term goals.
  • Dugnad – A Norwegian concept of communal service, emphasizing collaboration and shared responsibility.
  • Overcoming the Law of Jante – Challenging the belief that individuals should not stand out or believe in their own potential.
  • Balancing Individualism and Collectivism – The idea that supporting others ultimately strengthens individual success.

The Role of AI and the Future of Leadership

We also discuss the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and the potential existential questions it poses. Indset warns about the risk of becoming ‘philosophical zombies’—people who are so consumed by technology that they lose their sense of agency and reflection. He highlights the importance of reasoning, critical thinking, and maintaining human-centric values in an era dominated by AI.

Final Thoughts

This episode was a fascinating exploration of leadership, values, and the philosophy of success. Anders Indset’s perspective encourages leaders to rethink their goals, embrace progress over perfection, and build cultures that foster both individual and collective growth.

For more insights from Anders, check out The Viking Code, available on Amazon and other major retailers.

You can also visit his website for articles and updates on his upcoming book, “Singularity Paradox: Bridging the Gap Between Humanity and AI”.