»It’s about giving people the trust to solve tasks in their own way«
Emil Grip
Manager
Early lessons in grabbing every opportunity
After spending his early childhood in Oslo, Emil’s life took a new turn when his family moved to Portugal in the middle of elementary school.
»We lived in Portugal for more than four years and became part of a close Scandinavian community, both at school and in the neighbourhood. For me, it was a really positive experience, especially because it was a school environment built on a clear structure, safety, and strong relationships between students and teachers,« Emil recalls.
The experience would leave a lasting mark, giving him a new perspective on the power of taking initiative and seizing opportunities.
»We got to know other families who had chosen slightly unconventional paths in life. Many were ambitious, brave enough to bet on their own projects or start something new, and that made an impression. Even at a young age, I learned that it’s not always about what you do, but following what drives you and daring to seize the opportunities that come your way,« he adds.
»It’s not always about what you do, but about following what drives you and daring to seize the opportunities that come your way.«
Shaped by the Armed Forces
After four years in Portugal, Emil returned to Norway and resumed regular schooling in Horten. His teenage years flew by, and after high school, he chose to do his mandatory military service in the Norwegian air defence artillery — a decision that turned into much more than just a year in uniform.
»I really enjoyed my time in the military and chose to continue with officer candidate course. It was an intense and demanding period, but I gained an incredible amount of knowledge in a short time,« he reflects.
At 23, Emil was leading his own team. Their missions often took them deep into mountainous terrain, where they set up and operated communication and information systems under challenging conditions.
»My role was to ensure the systems worked in harsh winter conditions while keeping everyone motivated. I had to grow up quickly, and I became more independent and confident through the responsibility that came with leadership,« Emil explains.
Building Netcompany’s Trondheim office
After finishing his studies, Emil began his career at Netcompany’s Oslo office. There, he quickly proved himself and was given responsibility early on, but the pull toward Trondheim soon became hard to ignore.
»I really enjoyed Oslo, but there was something about Trondheim that stayed with me. I had built many close relationships there and felt a strong sense of connection to the city,« he says.
Therefore, when the opportunity arose to help establish a new Netcompany office in Trondheim, the decision was easy.
»Just a few months after joining Netcompany, a colleague of mine and I were given the chance to help set up a new office in Trondheim. It started with just a couple of employees, but we became a great group and created a strong work culture. It felt like a startup within an established company, and that gave us room to shape something of our own,« Emil explains and adds:
»Today, we are a well-established department with our own identity and a strong sense of community, and I’m very proud to have been part of building that.«
»The moment you show someone trust, you give them a reason to care. That’s where real motivation begins.«
A place for growth and new opportunities
For Emil, leadership is about valuing people. A cornerstone of his philosophy is ensuring that work enables both professional growth and a sense of purpose.
»My philosophy is that you have to trust people to solve tasks in their own way. That’s also why the Trondheim office is such an important arena for young consultants. They can shape their own path by developing in the direction they want, while also having a real impact on society,« he reflects.
For Emil personally, Trondheim has become much more than just a place of work — it has become home.
»In many ways, Trondheim has become a new hometown for me. I met my wife here, I built my career here, and it has felt natural to stay. You never know what the future will bring, but right now, I can’t imagine a better place to be, and I’m excited to see what lies ahead,« Emil concludes.
