Who is
BEN
Whether navigating project bottlenecks or choppy Kattegat tides, Ben Møller Nielsen flags up how being a control freak is good for his team.
What attracted you to being an independent consultant?
I’m late to the game, actually. I’m in my fifties and I’ve been postponing it for years. So, here we are. Although my first client was my former employer, where I’d worked for twenty-five years.
What’s your morning ritual?
I have a good office in my house. When I’m working from home I turn on my laptop about six thirty, take my coffee and read the news. The the work begins and I check my mail and open up the calendar.
Can you sum up your role in three words?
I would pick ‘technical’, referring to my competencies in the field I work in. Then ‘personality’ because I reckon I’m good working with all kinds of people and can get along with pretty much everybody. Then the last one is ‘doer’. I like getting things done. Otherwise I’m failing. And failure isn’t an option to me.
Anyone who can pull off that Apollo 13 vibe. You know, “Here’s what we’ve got — now make it work.” That’s my work life in a nutshell.
How would your colleagues describe you?
I haven’t a clue but it may be that I’m a control freak. Meaning that I make 100% sure that I’m embedding all the stuff for my team at the right time. I took the DISC Analysis test once and I was a ‘High C’, which confirms the need for control.
Are you a good team player?
I try to be. I want to be part of the team and want the team to be part of me. This applies on a social basis sometimes. We’ll have a beer at night and talk about non-work things. I’ve seen visiting project managers say goodnight to their team, head off for the hotel and meet up next morning. I cannot work that way.
If I had six similar CVs and one was yours, why should I hire you?
Like I said, I can get along with anyone. At the office, one of the first people I talk to is a cleaning lady. I fully respect her because she does a job I wouldn’t want to do myself.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I hate to say it but I really love ice cream. If I have some in the house, I eat it. Particularly liquorice flavour. I also take pleasure in hiking, which I hope cancels some of the guilt.
I didn’t want a CV that just bragged about successes. Projects are messy — it’s about getting in the trenches and fixing what needs fixing. If I was hiring, I’d want someone who’s been there, done that — and come out stronger.
Have you walked anywhere special?
One highlight was hiking up the Sierra Nevada in Spain. We climbed 3200 metres and actually ended up in a white out when the clouds dropped, which is something they do for a split second and very rarely. Luckily, we had a guide, so we were safe.
Do you have an interest or that helps you switch off?
I have a sailing boat berthed just outside town, up the coast. Even going to the harbour and sitting in the boat with a cup of coffee is relaxing.
Is it a boat made for a long voyage?
It’s a 31 footer, so I could easily take it on a decent trip. My dream is to actually cross the Atlantic. But my girlfriend is not so keen. She doesn’t like it when the sea is rough, although I love it. She enjoys going to Samsø or Tunø, though. Going to the west side of Samsø to Ballen takes about three and a half hours.