Kåre Inge Skarsvåg
My work focuses on leadership development as more than the dissemination of models and concepts. Development must be based on real experiences, examined together and translated into action. Therefore, I work particularly with reflection, guidance, learning culture, psychological safety, vulnerability trust and practical judgment.
Over many years as an officer, leader and educator, I have worked on how experience can be transformed into learning, and how learning can be felt in the leader's practice.
Lederfilosofi.no is run by me in my spare time, alongside my position in the Norwegian Armed Forces. The content on the website is my own professional reflections and does not represent the official views of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
My professional perspective
My professional perspective is that leadership develops through the interplay of experience, reflection and action. Knowledge gains value only when it is tested against situations leaders actually face, shared with others and translated into wiser practice.
That is why I am less interested in simple formulas and more interested in creating space for honest conversations about what happens within and between people. Psychological safety, vulnerability trust and holistic debriefing are central perspectives in my work. The aim is not merely new insight for the individual leader, but development that is evident in relationships, leadership teams and everyday organizational life.
Leader and officer
Nearly four decades of leadership experience in the Royal Norwegian Air Force, including staff work, education, NATO and international operations.
Senior Lecturer and Principal Instructor in Leadership
Senior lecturer in leadership and management development and principal instructor in leadership at the Norwegian Air Force Academy, with professional responsibility for leader development and mentoring programs.
Author and researcher
Author, researcher and developer of professional concepts within guidance, learning culture, reflection and trust.
Selected publications and academic contributions
Veiledning i kriser – 52 øyeblikk
The book explores how guidance, reflection and learning can be crucial in demanding and critical situations. Through 52 moments from the Armed Forces and other parts of life, it shows how experience can be examined, shared and developed into better judgment and action.
Written together with Kristian Firing and published by Orkana Akademisk.
The book can be ordered here→
Research on guidance, trust and learning culture
Publications and professional contributions on, among other things, holistic debriefing, vulnerability trust and military leadership development.
Development of leadership and mentoring programs
Professional development and implementation of programs for leaders, mentor pairs and leadership groups.
What I believe in
I don't think leadership development is primarily about learning more models. It's about understanding your own experiences, challenging your own assumptions, and developing judgment with others. Good leadership development shouldn't just be felt in the classroom. It should be felt when the leader returns.