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testimonials
Nikolaj Lubanski
COO, Copenhagen Capacity
Nikolaj Lubanski holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics, a master’s degree in Cultural Sociology, and a Ph.D. in Sociology. In short: A program where “culture meets business,” as he puts it. Today, he is the COO of Copenhagen Capacity, the official organization for investment promotion and regional development in Eastern Denmark.
Nikolaj Lubanski holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics, a master’s degree in Cultural Sociology, and a Ph.D. in Sociology. In short: A program where “culture meets business,” as he puts it. Today, he is the COO of Copenhagen Capacity, the official organization for investment promotion and regional development in Eastern Denmark.
“The focus of my career has been a combination of private, public, and semi-public organizations. I have spent 12 years in the consulting world running my own consulting firm, helped start seven companies over the years—and sold a few along the way. The combination of this private and public perspective is what has led me to my current position at the business foundation, Copenhagen Capacity,” says Nikolaj Lubanski.
For the past twenty years, board work has also been a significant part of his CV. This includes board work in public institutions, business foundations, and private companies. “Curiosity is a major driving force for me in my board work, and it has certainly been a key factor in my decision to participate in the Executive Board Programme at INSEAD,” he explains, and continues:
“There are two important reasons why I chose this particular program. Firstly, I wanted to elevate my board skills to the next level— to professionalize my approach to board work. I have learned a lot through practice, but I haven’t previously engaged with the more theoretical aspects. Getting confirmation—and potentially refutation—that what I’m doing is correct has also been an important aspect. Secondly, I had the opportunity to attend the program alongside the director of Studieskolen, where I am the chairman of the board. Being able to participate with a colleague, with whom I can later discuss learning and implementation, has been invaluable.”
A strong mix of participants
Nikolaj Lubanski also highlights the significant impact that the composition of the participant group has on the value of the program.
“Overall, the level was truly high, and I see it as a great advantage that the participant group was so diverse.” Some have a purely commercial focus, some have a more public profile, and others have a mixed profile. That variation and combination are truly powerful. In Module 1, I was particularly impressed by the learning on responsibilities and obligations concerning legislation, as well as the board’s role in strategic considerations. In Module 2 at INSEAD, I was truly ‘blown away’ by the teaching on decision theory and finance. And the entire combination of attending an international business school in France adds an extra boost. You move into a different stratosphere and view the world from a slightly more international perspective, yet still within a Danish context,” he says.
Nikolaj Lubanski highlights four key learning outcomes that have been central to him.
“Firstly, I have gained a thorough understanding of the legal framework related to board work and the responsibilities you have as a board member. Secondly, I have become even more aware of the importance of focusing on value creation within the organization for which you are on the board. Thirdly, the learning on decision-making and the foundations of your decisions was particularly useful. Finally, I would highlight the topic of succession management—how to ensure continuity and innovation in both leadership and the board,” he says, before concluding:
“We are already in full swing implementing the insights we gained. We have corrected several formalities and, not least, we have taken a closer look at the general utilization of the board. How we can best leverage the knowledge and competencies we have within the board to lead and develop our organization.”
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INSEAD is one of the world’s leading graduate business schools for executives. The French-based but globally oriented institution brings together people, cultures, and ideas from around the world to develop leaders and transform organizations through research, thought leadership, and teaching.
