In the fast-paced world of consulting, it is not often that you come across someone who thrives in two vastly different arenas. Meet Laura, a driven and accomplished consultant at Deloitte, whose expertise in navigating complex business challenges is only matched by her passion for navigating the open waters as a competitive sailor. Balancing the demands of a fast-paced career with the rigours of competitive sailing, is not always easy but Laura would not want it any other way. Whether she's harnessing the power of the wind to move her sailboat forward or collaborating with her Deloitte team to steer clients towards success, Laura's commitment to excellence shines through in every endeavour she undertakes.
Laura's journey into the world of sailing began at a young age, and her passion for the sport has only grown stronger over the years. Initially, she only started sailing at age 11 because of her brother’s influence and her parents refusing to drive them to two different sports. She started out sailing in Dragør Sejlklub, where she was primarily surrounded by boys who were older than her. A professional career was never really in the cards, but her parents persisted and told her to give it at least two seasons before quitting. After some time, Laura improved and started beating the older boys, which gave her a newfound confidence. The more she found herself in the ocean, among the waves, the more she felt at home.
Balancing university and sailing
For Laura, however, it was important that sailing should not limit her in other areas of her life. She had always been a very studious and curious person of nature and knew that she would have to find a way to balance university and sailing. When choosing her major, she always had a profound curiosity when it comes to the welfare state and therefore knew a degree in economics would give a deeper understanding of the society, we live in.
Laura openly acknowledges that her two passions sometimes overlap, and she recalls her time in university as a prime example: 'I knew that if I wanted to excel academically, I would have to ease up on sailing, and the same was true in reverse.' Her experience taught her invaluable skills, such as structure, time management, and discipline, which she relied on throughout her studies and still uses till this day.
Wanting to make an impact
Laura had already made up her mind about consulting being out of her field of interests. She describes herself as an idealist who has a strong passion for making the public sector competitive. She always envisioned herself making an impact from the inside of the public sector, not outside of it. But after a talk with a fellow economics student, who worked in the Finance and Performance department in Deloitte, Laura was presented to some of the interesting projects that she could potentially become a part of. She also found out that some of the challenges that the public sector was facing, was actually easier to solve from the outside. Today, Laura, among other things, helps public clients with the optimization of health care and eldercare.
Navigating two worlds
Balancing sailing with work is not always easy, and Laura admits that her schedule can often be packed. During the summer, she sails up to five times a week, in addition to strength training four to five times. Early mornings at the office allow her to finish earlier and head straight to the harbour. She emphasizes that sailing and work demand two very different things from her mentally. Even on hectic workdays, she has to mentally disconnect once she is on the water:
“If you do not focus, the boat will not sail. You have to leave everything behind on shore, because there is nothing you can do about it while you are out there. In a way, it is like therapy.”
During the winter months, Laura travels to various countries in search of better weather and intensive training camps. She minimizes her workload and ensures that no pressing deadlines coincide with her travel. In the past, she attempted to manage work during tournaments but soon realized it was not sustainable. Now, she only takes on team-based projects, allowing her to fully concentrate on sailing when competing. Laura emphasizes the importance of clear communication and setting expectations in balancing her career as a consultant with her commitment to the sport.
The highs and lows of sailing
What captivated Laura most about sailing was the unique combination of physical endurance and strategic thinking: “I describe it as playing chess while running on a treadmill. You have to outthink your opponent while also outpacing them physically.” She further explains that the unpredictability of factors like the weather can ultimately determine whether you come out on top, adding an extra layer of challenge to the sport.
However, Laura also acknowledges the lows of competing at a professional level. This year has been especially tough, as her team worked to qualify for the Olympics. In the initial round, the focus was on securing a national spot, and there was a sense of camaraderie among the competitors. But once the national place was secured, it became a fierce competition, with everyone fighting for themselves.
The first selection tournament did not go as planned. Faced with poor weather conditions, Laura and her teammate lost the first of two Olympic qualifying events. She recalls a moment of doubt, questioning their skills and feeling hopeless. But with renewed focus, they regrouped: "My teammate and I had to be brutally honest about what was not working and where we could improve. We also had to reignite our motivation and belief that we could win the next tournament."
Though the second tournament went better than the first, it was not enough to secure a win. This time, however, they concentrated on their progress: "We had to remind ourselves that sailing is not just about the competition. The hardest part was already behind us—qualifying for these events and sailing alongside some of the best sailors in the world.
The Olympics is not entirely off the table for Laura, but with four years ahead, she and her teammate are choosing to focus on nearer-term goals, approaching each season one step at a time.
Transferring sailing skills to consulting
Laura emphasizes that many skills she has developed through sailing are directly applicable to her consulting work, particularly communication and feedback. The importance of clear communication in sailing has greatly influenced how she interacts with clients: "I am transparent about asking, ‘What do you need from me, and what do I need from you?’ so I can do my job to the best of my ability."
When it comes to feedback, Laura knows exactly how she likes to receive it—direct and specific:
"I think many people are afraid of making mistakes and being judged. In my sport, the only way I improve is by learning from my mistakes, which is why I believe open and honest dialogue is essential. We all make mistakes, and that is okay because nobody is perfect."
While sailing has taught her many valuable lessons, Laura has also had to unlearn certain habits, like being overly direct. She acknowledges that sometimes it is better to let a situation unfold and address it later, rather than confronting it head-on in the moment.
Laura also recognizes something fundamental about herself: she thrives on challenges and constant improvement. "I am not motivated by things that are easy—I like the challenge. Even though I compete professionally, I still do not find sailing easy. Maybe that is exactly why I continue practicing the sport."
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