My Story

Rewind to 2004, and there I was—facing redundancy from my first job. Seven years of hard work, and then, in a blink, it was over. I felt betrayed, adrift, but most of all, determined. That moment became my turning point, a vow to myself: never again would I put my destiny in someone else’s hands. It was time to take charge of my own story.

Books became my lifeline. I devoured everything I could find—self-development, body language, speaking, leadership, human behavior. I wanted to unlock a better version of myself and humanity. My evenings were dedicated to a master’s degree in electrical engineering, while my days were a balancing act between work and distance learning in engineering and property management.

As I climbed the corporate ladder, I became fascinated by human leadership. I observed all types of managers—the good, the bad, and the indifferent. Those who nurtured growth inspired me; those who didn’t stifled me.

My mantra became clear: empower to be empowered.

I began to see patterns—how certain leadership styles elevated teams while others dragged them down. Innovation, I realized, wasn’t an individual pursuit. It thrived under leaders who empowered their teams.

Outside of work, I tested my limits as a passionate sportsman. Completing full and half IRONMAN triathlons, marathons, and other challenges pushed me to discover the power of determination—mentally and physically. These races took me across the globe and showed me what it meant to persevere.

Then came 2019, and a train ride that changed everything.

Listening to Seth Godin speak, I recognized patterns in my life—the same patterns I’d observed in others. It was my cue for a shift.

Leaving IKEA Centres was the beginning, not the end.

My mission crystallized: To Connect Innovative Leaders with their Dreams.

It wasn’t just about driving innovation but focusing on human innovation—where systems thinking and leadership blend with empathy and the human element.

This vision led to the birth of HEITLAND Innovation, a consultancy solution designed for human innovation to help organizations innovate through people. It’s not just about improving processes—it’s about rethinking how organizations empower their teams to foster meaningful, sustainable innovation. Alongside this, I co-founded XYZ-Playground, a Reverse Mentor Lab that redefined traditional mentorship, encouraging a unique exchange of perspectives.

From there, WeAreSucceed emerged—a leadership skills assessment platform—followed by AI-Fortuna, a business crafting immersive experiences in applied innovation (AI). I had shifted from being a cog in the corporate machine to becoming a catalyst for change, charting new and exciting directions.

To support my own journey as a thought leader, I dove into mastering skills like social media strategy, website design, and video production, including recording and editing. These efforts weren’t just about building my personal brand—they were about creating a platform to amplify my voice through my podcasts: The Jens Heitland Show and The Daily Hint with Jens Heitland.

Along the way, I realized I could help others achieve the same.

That’s how Heitland Media Group was born. This agency is dedicated to helping individuals build personal brands that empower them to take the stage and share their expertise, just as I have. It’s about more than just creating content—it’s about crafting a legacy and inspiring others to lead and innovate with impact.

Giving back has always been a cornerstone of my journey.

It led me to educational and mentoring roles at institutions like Barcelona University and the University of Amsterdam, as well as programs such as StartUB!, Rockstart, and UNDP in collaboration with 4YFN. These opportunities let me share insights with the next generation of innovators and change makers.

Public speaking became a transformative channel for sharing my journey and inspiring others.

From Moscow to Cape Town, Tokyo to London, I’ve taken the stage at some of the world’s leading innovation, business, and technology stages. Notable speaking engagements include:

• International Innovation Event in Moscow, Russia

• Airbus in Hamburg, Germany

• Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies in Copenhagen, Denmark

• Bank of America in London, UK

• PicknPay in Cape Town, South Africa

• Bayer in Einthoven, Netherlands

• Invest in Africa Summit in The Hague, Netherlands

• Sketch in Tokyo, Japan

• Berlin Fashion Week in Berlin, Germany

• Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain

And the list goes on, with over 30 stages across the globe, including events like Tech Recruitment Conferences, 4YFN, and engagements at British American Tobacco. Each presentation has been an opportunity to inspire leaders to embrace human innovation and reimagine what's possible.

From my first job on a construction site in 1997 to standing on international stages, this journey has never been just about climbing ladders—it’s been about building them. Reflecting on that train ride from Copenhagen to Malmö, I see now it wasn’t just a trip between cities. It was the beginning of a journey to rediscover myself and reshape the world of innovation—one human at a time.

As I look to the future, I invite you to join me on this extraordinary road.

Together, let’s innovate the human way.