The epic story of David and Goliath is about a young shepherd boy who against all odds defeats a formidable opponent. Have we misinterpreted the story and thereby deprived ourselves of the opportunity to understand the lesson of this legend? Is it possible to change the rules of the game so as to exploit that which appears to be the superior power’s advantage? And enhance and perfect one’s own? Leaders and organizations often proceed in error here. Being the underdog can be your greatest strength.
Our heroes from the resistance movement of the Second World War discovered this secret. You can change the rules and not be duped by a superior power. But this requires you to be loyal to your own values and goals, and to have the stamina and enthusiasm to stay the course, regardless of the ordeals you may encounter along the way.
Maybe there were also elements of Thanatos, as Freud might have interpreted it. The drive for destruction in conflict with the desire to live. Once you have survived a potentially fatal experience and felt the fear of death disappear, it is replaced by a feeling of invincibility. Which you sought to recover, time and time again. By learning about our heroes from the Second World War, who they were and what drove them, we come closer to our own, personal story and our story as a nation. It influences us today far more than we like and believe.
A large portion of the programme will therefore take place at the Akershus Fortress, a fortification in the middle of Oslo that has been under siege, but never conquered. The fortress has held a central place in Norway’s history for 800 years, particularly during the Second World War. We have been given the keys allowing us to unlock rooms and spaces that show us how man protected himself from external enemies. The fortress, and the stories about individuals and events from the Second World War, will give participants the opportunity to reflect upon their own defence systems and coping strategies, both as individuals and organizations.
The seminar is suitable for leaders from both private and public enterprises who want to be better equipped to meet superior adversaries, whether these be in the form of stronger competitors, new framework conditions or because you are a small-scale contender. Or perhaps you essentially aspire to be a David with all the advantages of the underdog this implies. The seminar focuses on the participants’ unique challenges and offers both in-depth study and practical application.
