Zen and the Art of Golf: Finding Clarity in the Executive World with Sami Hero

Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Sana delves into the high-pressure world of corporate leadership with guest Sami Hero, a seasoned general management executive with vast experience across Europe and North America. Sami shares how the unlikely practice of golf, known for its patience and mental discipline, has become his secret weapon for managing stress and maintaining mental clarity. He discusses the cultural contrasts between work environments in the US and Finland, and how golf provides him with both relaxation and solutions to challenges in his demanding executive roles.

About the Guest: Sami Hero is a versatile executive with a rich background in marketing, sales, and analytics. Having worked in various leadership roles across Europe and North America, Sami brings a unique perspective on balancing the pressures of a global career with personal well-being. Speaking five languages and now based in Finland, Sami uses golf not only as a physical activity but as a mental reset. His approach to applying the principles of focus and mindfulness from golf to his professional life offers valuable insights for anyone navigating a busy executive career.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mental Clarity Through Golf: Golf can serve as a powerful tool for clearing the mind, offering both physical activity and a space for subconscious problem-solving.
2. Balancing Work and Life: The importance of setting boundaries between work and personal life, a lesson Sami learned from Finland's work culture, where free time is highly valued.
3. Adapting to Stress: Sami shares his experience working in high-pressure environments like New York City, and how learning to slow down in Finland helped him manage stress more effectively.
4. Patience and Focus in Golf and Leadership: The parallels between the patience required in golf and the focus needed in executive leadership roles, especially in sales and marketing.
5. Cultural Perspectives on Work: Sami discusses how different cultural approaches to work, especially in the US versus Finland, shape stress levels and personal well-being.