Life Chapters, Not Balanc 

—- Lessons from NBF 2025 Female Leaders 

Vol 28 Issue 04 3^rd  October 2025 

Image: Nordic Business Forum 2025 / nbforum.com 

Last week I joined the livestream learning event of NBF 2025, and I was truly inspired by the female speakers. They were not only successful business leaders and innovators, but also women who shine in many roles of life. I admired their achievements, their knowledge, and the way they try to balance work and family. Seeing them so full of passion and energy on stage, I couldn’t help but wonder: How do they really manage it? How do they make both their career and family feel satisfied? Their answers gave me both comfort and inspiration. 

Milda Mitkutė (co-founder of Vinted) shared a thought that stayed with me: “I don’t believe in work–life balance. I believe in life chapters.” She explained that in one chapter you may give 200% to your business, and in another chapter 200% to your family. This simple idea made me breathe easier. Like many women, I often feel pressure to be everything at the same time—student, mother, wife, daughter, and worker. But now I see that it’s okay to focus on one main role for a period of time, and shift later. 

Diana Kander said something that also hit home: “Ask simple questions and remove zombie work.” Zombie work means tasks that keep going but add no value. Her words made me reflect on my own routines. I realized I sometimes waste time on small duties that don’t really matter. Maybe if I stop or change just one of them, I can use that extra energy for study, meaningful work, or simply for my kids. 

Angela spoke about “humane leadership.” She reminded us that leaders should show humility, even vulnerability, and never forget that employees are also parents, partners, and children. This touched me deeply. As a student and a mother, I know how important it is to be seen as a whole person, not just a worker. In the future, even in small group projects, I hope I can practice this kind of kindness and understanding. 

Sukhinder Singh Cassidy gave another reminder: “When you scale, never lose your soul.” She was talking about companies, but I think it also applies to individuals. As we grow busier or more successful, it’s easy to lose our values. Her words encouraged me to protect what I really believe in, even while chasing new goals. 

Today’s society gives women more space to show talent and beauty, but the reality is still full of struggles. We shine on stage, but we also rush between the kitchen, the desk, and the children’s room. Finding balance is never simple, and sometimes the guilt feels heavier than the work itself. But listening to these women gave me hope that we can live by chapters, make better choices, and keep our values along the way. 

So let me end with a question to you:

If you are a male, have you thought about how to support your wife or your female colleagues?

If you are a female, is this also your struggle? Did these talks give you some inspiration, just like they did for me?