Who & Why

Hi, my name is Hanne. I'm turning 64 as I write this. 

For as long as I can remember, understanding and connecting with people has been a passion. As a young chess player, understanding the game was only half the challenge. Equally important - and intriguing - was understanding the opponent. It came easily. It became my defining trait. Not playing chess, but understanding people.

I also discovered early on the power of storytelling: To build understanding, to communicate effectively you have to put the important elements into a context - tell a story, create mental pictures. Another defining trait that became a key element of my career building businesses, organizations, management teams of all sizes. And not the least, a long life with an abundance of challenges and blessings, failures and victories. All of which create elements of wisdom we all seek to become better versions of ourselves.

Apologies of this sounds pompous. I'm the opposite of that - humbled by numerous rough challenges over the years, and still filled with energy and a strong desire to share, contribute, participate, these days even fight against the growing forces around us that threaten to destroy our world and our future.

I believe in honesty, acceptance and sharing. That's why I write. Share stories, experiences, reflections and honest advice. Equally important, writing helps me understand my own thoughts better. Like Joan Didion - American author and journalist - so eloquently put it: “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means.”

Finally, and this is where it all starts, by listening - to people, not screens or headsets. The art and power of listening is underestimated, frequently even misunderstood these days. Of course, sounds, words and language are important. But people communicate - on many concurrent channels: body language, eyes, facial expressions, voice 'color' and much more. Ears don't get that, the heart does.

What you get on theOtherEar is my perspective. Which may be different than yours. Neither is right or wrong, but personal. That's acceptance. And owning that reflection is growth.