We are often told to be professionals at work – especially if we act or look a way that is “unprofessional”. So some people seem to be two different people at work and outside work; different identities and definitely different feelings. In fact showing feelings in only one of the roles, and we need to be perfect. I believe that it is damaging to us as humans and damaging to us as an industry. I think we need to realise that being professional does not exclude being human. In fact our humanity is a great asset at works as well as in life, and we need more workplaces where it is safe to be ourselves. What if being professional was: knowing your craft, being yourself, speaking up, being vulnerable, learning, and growing? What if we realised that who ever we are is always okay, and what ever we feel is always okay? How we act may not be

Gitte Klitgaard is an agile coach, trainer, and mentor focusing on helping organizations implement psychological safety, responsibility, and accountability. Gitte is authentic, she will cut to the chase, and help people become themselves thereby reaching success.

Her community contributions include organizing coach camps, and speaking at conferences, where she highlights and makes topics like mental health and psychological safety accessible. She creates safe and respectful environments at work and outside. She listens to and engages the more silent voices and minority groups.

In her spare time, Gitte collects LEGO and Yodas and keeps in touch with friends from all over the globe including some, she considers her second family.

Gitte is owner of Native Wired and has led change at companies like LEGO, Spotify, and Mentimeter.