Raising self-awareness and promoting empathy. I am very happy when people around me understand more about who they are and put others’ behavior into perspective. This translates directly into a happier life, fewer conflicts, and better decisions.
The ability to change people’s lives and this world for the better in a way that very few organizations can… Seeing companies being launched, friendships being started and lives turned to new and better directions as a result of Nova’s activities is a rewarding experience that makes my job truly meaningful.
Depending on the mood I could be playing sports, writing my personal journal (started in 2012 and never stopped), driving my dad’s motorbike from the 70s, or enjoying a good glass of wine. Anything that brings me closer to friends/family, myself, or nature.
Principles, by Ray Dalio, is probably the best management book I have ever read and that I really recommend to entrepreneurs and managers. I also loved “The hard things about hard things”, and I am a firm believer in the “Lean Startup” methodology. Finally, I recommend you read and apply “Give and Take” to your life.
Helping others achieve their objectives is probably the most satisfying thing one can do in life. In a few years, I would like to look back and see that I have contributed to make the world a better place and feel proud of how I changed people’s lives for the better.
Not a Marvel superhero, but Rafael Nadal is a true superhero that I look up to for his amazing resilience and commitment. He never gives up and fights hard for his dreams.
Make the most out of your time. Do useful things and things you like. Above all talking to a lot of different people, it’s what gives you the most learning. And let’s never forget to have only good people around us who add up to your life.
The impact of the project, the team, and being able to give my contribution to make it grow.
Many things… a joke, helping each other, watching my children grow up.
My main driver in life is to develop myself and grow as a person. But also to engage in the things I get involved in. Doing a “journey” together to develop as a team while building a good business based on strong values is truly rewarding.
I get to be outside in nature with a group of people and engage in some physical activity while at the same time enjoying great conversations! Anybody up for that?
Finding solutions to better realize the true potential of our Nova members…
Being able to change people’s lives by connecting them with other inspiring Novas.
My girlfriend’s smile, a sunset surrounded by people I love, seeing old people making gestures of love towards their partners, doing great at a fencing competition, a good concert, (+many more).
I practiced ballet until the age of 13!
Go to the beach every once in a while… Connect with nature as much as you can… Read a book on the subway!
Learning from interesting, experienced people, and also sharing my own knowledge and experiences.
Practicing capoeira, skating, or surfing.
Family, friends, and technology.
Iron man because he is so funny and loves technology.
I can eat everything with spice or chili, even breakfast.
As stereotypical as it might sound, I wanna help make the world a better place for everyone. I believe in sharing and open-source.
music that makes me feel like I’m floating in space, stand-up comedy, and my girlfriend.
I once went viral on YouTube for rejecting an award when I was a kid.
Sustainability, equality, and education.
Hulk, the nerdy guy who goes crazy.
I could live on gazpacho.
Dancing flamenco, seeing other people improve and grow, feeling that the people around me are happy, making others laugh…
I would like to be an eagle to see things from different perspectives, in order to observe human behavior and understand it better. In addition, this would allow me to disconnect from everything when I need to spend some time with myself.
I can’t leave home without sending a kiss to a special painting I have as a lucky charm.
The Swedish cartoon figure Bamse (if it counts as a superhero…). He is the strongest bear in the world, but more importantly, also the kindest! No matter what evil he faces, he always stays kind and is able to transform negative things into something positive.
Repetitive and manual labor, like picking berries or chopping wood. For me, that’s such a good way to zone out, gain some mindfulness, or just forget about the troubles in life.
Is that I was working as a dancer and choreographer from early teens until very recently. It started off in a commercial manner on TV with famous singers but turned later into contemporary dance.
My family is happy, my father is happy, my mother is happy and my brother is happy. Also, when I know I am doing things well, giving my best, and not being lazy. Lastly, I am super proud after a 10km run. I think that is a very special feeling.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I think she changed the world by giving herself to others. She lived in poverty and without the basic things to survive, but still found happiness. One of the quotes I like from her is: “A life not lived for others, is not a life”.
Running or doing sports, drinking a cold beer with my friends, having a good conversation with anyone I have not seen for long. I am a very active and energetic person and I cannot stay at home without doing anything. Every day is a mystery.
Learning new things, making an impact in the world, mentoring and listening to others, spending time with my family.
My workmates because everyone shares the same vision, autonomy, and is willing to listen to others’ ideas and opinions regardless of seniority.
Books: The Monk who sold his Ferrari (Robin Sharma), Man’s search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl).
For me a real Nova is a passionate person, with a desire to live discovering others, helping them, and enhancing their potential to the maximum. A person who lives with true meaning in everything he does, who enjoys, who is humble, who tries his best, and who never runs out of capacity to value and thank even the smallest thing. A person who tries to know himself and after that brings all his skills and capabilities to the world. A restless person, who does not forget what is truly important, and who fights for his happiness and that of those around him.
I have a good day in the country with my friends or family, and when I play a good Catan with a beer in hand! It also makes me very happy every time I visit Cuba, my second favorite country in the world, because of its simple, humble, and eager to live people and the unmatched beauty of its nature.
An eagle! So I can fly, and enjoy watching everything and everyone from the top, plus I would see nature and feel completely free!
Inspires people and makes a great impact in the world.
I am related to the King of Sweden (sort of).
Probably playing tennis, padel, or eating cheese.
Travel, as much as you can and in the most unconventional ways you can imagine! Curiosity is what really matters!
My animal totem is a corsac, a medium-sized fox. This was assigned to me after 10 years of being part of the Scout association as a symbol of adaptability and charisma.
My dad, because he was able to ambitiously grow personally and professionally, while always remaining humble.
Learning new things, meeting extremely talented Novas, and seeing the impact we make on our members’ life.
I have over 400 places pinned on Maps, from restaurants I want to try, to places I plan to visit such as the 7 wonders of the modern world.
Always look for a discount code before buying anything online. My team calls me the “discount master”, I saved the company €3K to date…and counting.
Passion. I have always worked doing the things that I am most passionate about, things that bring out the best version of myself and generate a positive change in my environment.
Good communication changes lives. I love that we have changed so many lives for the better. Specifically, I love that I can make sure no talent is left behind without knowing how its potential can be exploited thanks to Nova.
Living in a world where people’s potential is not limited by where they are born. I have always tried to work to eliminate inequalities in access to education and work, that’s why my work at Nova makes so much sense to me, we cannot afford to leave any talent behind.
My grandma because she broke the status quo and raised a boy as a single mom in times when women didn’t even have a job. I also like Spider-Man, in fact, when I was a child I wanted to jump from building to building just as he did.
Read The Little Prince throughout different stages of your life. It’s eye-opening! Every single time you can learn something new.
Finding justice and equality for every single human being.
Book: The power of habit by Charles Duhigg
Lifehack: Coming from a sports background, always find ways to compete to improve your routine. Could be board games with friends, doing the dishes under a certain time…
Deadpool! Having a lot of cool superpowers, while at the same time having great humor!
I love to talk about the Swedish Royal Family for ages, for so many reasons…
I am one of those people to gets bored and am driven by having fun. I am trying to not take life too seriously and enjoy all the small things. What drives me is learning new things, meeting new people, visiting new places, and making people happy along the way.
All types of physical activity. Right now I am playing lots of tennis, badminton, and padel- and I’m loving it! But also, if you’re having an off day, start watching FRIENDS and never stop.
A giraffe! They are both cool and beautiful. And who would not love to hang out in the savannas, eating from trees and watching out for predators to attack?
I recommend the podcasts “Hotel Jorge Juan”, which is a space where writers, cooks, musicians, comedians, businessmen, architects, meet once a week to have a conversation between friends.
Is making someone’s day a bit better every day.
Batman! I love heroes who instead of having superpowers they rely on technology and being smart. He made himself a hero and that is cool.
Batman is my favorite superhero because he is nothing but a mere human with a big heart. He was hit by a tragedy, which gave him a life’s purpose. Instead of hunting down the criminals responsible for his parent’s death, he avenges them by giving everything he has to save his parent’s legacy.
I want to make the world a better place. I believe I’m here for a reason and I want to make great things even though I’m an ordinary person. I think little people, in little places, doing little things can change the world :). I want to love someone and create a life together, I want to be the best mom in the world and I want to help people everywhere I go.
The sun, seeing my mum laughing, seeing other people being happy, a Coca-Cola at the beach, watching the sunset…