The building blocks of a remarkable career. Meet Carsten. 👋
When Carsten joined the LEGO Group in 2001, he didn’t imagine that one day he would become Chief Operating Officer (COO). His journey began with a simple wish for change and adventure. “I wanted to join a bigger company and explore the world” he recalls.
Explore is exactly what he did. Just three months into the role, Carsten travelled to the U.S. for a three-week assignment. It turned into a five-year adventure. Over the next 16 years, he lived and worked abroad in several countries before returning to Billund, Denmark - this time as COO.
Carsten’s career is built from many different bricks. From procurement to manufacturing, shopper marketing, and organisational capability building and across the U.S. to Hong Kong, London and the Czech Republic, each role added new skills and experiences, helping him grow and build even more possibilities.
This year, Carsten celebrates 25 years with the LEGO Group, where he reflects on the lessons that shaped his journey.
Over Carsten’s career, he has been intentional about one thing from the beginning: remaining curious and being willing to explore new opportunities.
This mindset has given him the courage to step outside of his comfort zone and take some risks.
One such opportunity came when he was working in Hong Kong as Head of Supply Chain Operations where he was asked to move to the Czech Republic to become the General Manager of the LEGO® factory there. It was not the next step he had envisioned for himself. Encouraged by his wife, he embraced the role, and it became a turning point, giving him a deeper understanding of production and leadership.
Taking bold steps also taught Carsten the value of balance. As COO, he has grown not only professionally but personally. Known for his candid communication, he has learned that sometimes restraint can be just as powerful as action.
“I’ve learned to pick my battles. I’m constantly assessing things in my head, but I’m thoughtful about when I choose to engage,” he reflects.
His journey also revealed another kind of strength: resilience. As a self-described “feelings guy”, Carsten discovered that true resilience isn’t about suppressing emotions - it’s about expressing them in the right settings, using them to guide decisions and sharpen his impact.
Most importantly, Carsten underscores the importance of taking career choices as family decisions – critical, he believes, in getting him to where he is today. “I’ve never said yes without talking to my family first. It’s important that your whole ecosystem around you is in full support of the decisions you are making,” he says.
Looking ahead, Carsten’s passion for his work remains as strong as ever.
“I love my job and want to contribute for as long as I can – there’s still more to do!” he says. He envisions a future full of opportunities to learn, innovate, and help others grow, building on the awesome journey he’s been shaping for 25 years.
Just imagine bringing joyful learning to life.