Meet Oline Nordentoft

Please introduce yourself

My name is Oline, I was born in Aarhus, and I now live in a small town in Norway called Lillehammer. It is situated between wide mountains and huge blue lakes. I moved here to study a 3-year program at The Norwegian Film School.

When I don’t work, I love cooking. Especially making breads. In the collective that I live in we have a huge garden with vegetables and greens, and I just love going there harvesting and cooking.

It’s a totally different way of living than what I am used to. It’s very slow living, sometimes, oftentimes actually, a bit too calm hehe. But the quiet also calms me and frees time to do more of what I really enjoy.

Which team and when did you graduate?

I graduated in 2021 from team 25. So, I’m a fresh alumnus!

What have you been doing since you graduated as a Kaospilot?

When I studied at Kaospilot I knew I wanted to study more afterwards, as I loved to be in a space where I could learn, experiment and test. Also, I needed to practice within the field of filmmaking. So right after I graduated, I moved to Norway to study at the film school on the film producer programme.

Besides my studies, I work at an art museum – Lillehammer Kunstmuseum – where I work as a project leader of a group of young people working with dissemination of art.

What is important for you in your job?

The combination of collaboration, process, and a project that I am passionate about.

As a feminist I’m also occupied with representation and diversity in film and I’m currently looking into the concept of impactful filmmaking.  What stories should be told and who should tell them? Can anybody tell any kind of story?  What do we want it to change and how do we do that?

What major learnings would you point out from your experience that have shaped you as a leader?

I believe I’m using Kaospilot methodology and the mindset that follows, every day.

Here are some learnings:

• The women in my team have taught me how feminine leadership is needed and is important in the world dominated by masculinity and high pace.
• Meeting people with curiosity, trying to put down prejudices and assumptions.
• Finding the balance between stepping up and leading the room, and when to step back.
• Daring to trust your instincts and ways of leading. Always seek to understand, sense, and listen to the team members, encouraging everybody to speak for you to sense the collective rather than individuals and loud voices.
• Ask those good questions!

What is your biggest source for inspiration right now?

I watch a lot of films and then I read.

Also, I love to go to museums. At the museum where I work, I just fell in love with the Swedish artist called Else Beskow. She is an author and illustrator of children’s books, and her drawings which I enjoyed as a child but had forgotten all about, makes me want to just move into her fairy universe.

What would be an example of a learning or an experience from your time at Kaospilot that has been important to you?

I remember being in a lot of complex and frustrating processes. As we were learning and becoming process facilitators, we tested out many intense ways of working together as a team. I remember we were super determined about having a flat hierarchy where no decisions could be made without everyone agreeing or somehow accepting the decision. One time I was facilitating a process where we collectively had to decide on how to make decisions, and apparently it was totally impossible. So, I have learned about inclusion and how to (and how not to) work together as a team. How to be comfortable in the unknown and uncomfortable and trusting that your process, capacity, and instincts will lead you in the right direction. After these learnings at Kaospilot, decision making feels like a piece of cake haha.

When I meet my Kaospilot friends, we know that we keep a little beautiful secret together. It’s something that can’t really be explained. It’s only we who really knows what went on in those years, for better or for worse, and that secret is something I will always carry with me. And I think that’s quite magical.

… And then the parties. Wow, parties have never been the same!

What is a piece of advice that you would like to give future Kaospilot graduates?

I believe that Kaospilot is the best school in and for the world because of the community and the people. Enjoy them and all the experiences that comes while being with them every day. And when you graduate the community is still here and it’s full of love, surprises, and excitement.

Also, the world loves Kaospilots. Show them an IDOARRT and you’ll be fine!