Elin Eriksson is the co-founder of Women in Tech Sweden and Hanami Circular Tech. A communications expert, she is passionate about showcasing role models and creating networks for women and non-binary people in tech. She balances hands on problem solving with long term vision, with a drive to co-create a tech industry where more people can thrive and use their full potential.
1. Today is International Women’s Day, a moment when we highlight women with great ambition and purpose. As part of this, we would love to showcase your story. Can you share with us a specific ambition or goal you’re currently pursuing, and how you’re taking steps toward it?
A very specific ambition is to make sure that Women in Tech Sweden becomes even stronger as an organization. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is challenged globally, and even if Sweden and the Nordic countries still stand up for equality we need to keep the conversation going and take actions toward a more sustainable, innovative and fun future. And in my world, that means making space for all in the tech industry.
2. We talk about “Carry Your Ambition” as a play on words. It is both a literal bag and a symbol of the weight of ambition. In your life, have you ever felt that ambition as a burden, something that drives you but also puts a lot of pressure on you, weighing you down and sometimes making you doubt yourself? If so, how do you navigate that tension?
No. I carry my ambition quite proudly. The most proven way to keep women small is to tell us that we need to work on our self-worth, mindset or imposter syndrome. That’s addressing who we ARE and not what we have accomplished or done. And as the system keeps grading us on our vibe, we spend our energy and money on self-improvement, instead of challenging the structures. We need to fix the system, not being distracted to only look inwards to fix the self. Or as Malin Frihiofsson says in this LinkedIn post: “Being deeply, gloriously uncoachable in this particular niche”.
3. We’ve seen how icons like Margaret Thatcher used color in their outfits to stand out and project power, making a strong statement. In a similar way, how do you use color in your outfits to elevate your confidence, assert your presence, and help you rise above self-doubt as you pursue your ambitions?
Haha, to answer a question where I am being sort of compared to Margaret Thatcher! She knew how to dress for power in a male dominated environment. Sort of amplifying her status as an outsider by making herself even more visible, in sharp, strong presence.
And there’s something to that! We know that we get judged or type casted by our looks, no matter what we wear. So why not wear something that makes you happy? Or something that is edgy on a rough day? Dress the way you WANT to feel, not how your already feeling, so that you can give yourself a satisfied nod in the mirror later that day.
And for me? I love colors, patterns, contrasts, surprising shapes and big pieces of jewelry! I use glittery boots, colorful tops, flowery skirts, dad cut jeans, shiny rings, slinky scarves, attitude handbags, fluffy gloves and heavy necklaces in what some might find to be wild combinations. Surprising myself with finding new combinations from my own wardrobe. When I do, it makes me feel happy and energized! I have stories and memories for every piece of garment, and it’s a blessing to get even more experiences to associate with a special look, and many more to come.
Curious to meet the next bold woman in our mini-series Carry Your Ambition? See the full publishing schedule here.
