From the “only applicant” to CEO — Jesper Brodin’s improbable path at IKEA

In this unfiltered discussion, Jesper Brodin reveals how a leader’s lack of self-trust can actually be a secret weapon, the startling feeling of “levitation” he felt the moment he was no longer CEO, and why at IKEA, making mistakes is mandatory. 

Brodin’s improbable journey began with his first leadership role at 26, managing purchasing in Pakistan. When he later asked his boss why he was chosen, the answer was simple: he was the only one who applied for the job. It’s one of several stories in the podcast that reveals a culture where opportunity is found in daring to try. 

A decade of digital evolution in a matter of weeks 

In a candid moment, Brodin speaks about the “dark days” of early 2020. While much of the retail industry had spent a decade shifting toward e-commerce, IKEA remained a brand defined by its physical, store-based experience. When the pandemic forced global closures, that long-standing foundation became a sudden, existential challenge. 

“We were basically totally store-based,” Brodin explains, recalling the moment income streams vanished overnight while the company faced the prospect of being “deep in the red.” He reflects on the sobering realization that the brand had been slow to embrace the digital shifts happening around them. This wasn’t just a technical lag; it was a wake-up call that sparked a total cultural reset. Brodin says this period of uncertainty forced a decade’s worth of digital evolution into a matter of weeks, permanently altering the DNA of the world’s largest furniture retailer to ensure it would be there for the future. 

A call to political courage 

The interview shifts from business survival to a global moral imperative. Brodin uses his “exit interview” to question world leaders who view climate action as a political inconvenience rather than an economic opportunity. Expressing his “biggest frustration,” he argues that too many politicians are “downgrading” the climate crisis simply because the path to 100% of the solutions isn’t yet visible. 

“History will not be nice to us as leaders if we are denying such a threat to humanity,” Brodin warns. He pushes back against the intellectual denial of climate change, insisting that the economic benefits of being “climate-smart” are already proven. 

A new platform for authentic storytelling  

The launch of Screw It signals a new approach in how the world’s largest home furnishings retailer communicates. 

“We’re huge fans of podcasts because it’s one of the only mediums where you can walk your dog or wash the dishes while tuning in,” says Gabriel Stein, Global Media Relations Manager at Ingka Group. “The value of long-form communication has never been higher, and we love the format. Through Screw It, we want to provide the space for authentic storytelling, where leaders like Jesper can be honest about their failures and their fears, because we think it’s a good way to build trust, but also, entertain.” 

“Screw It” is available on Spotify starting today. 

About the Podcast 

Screw It is a new podcast from Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, exploring the “art of assembly” in business, sustainability, and life at home. The series invites global experts and leaders to discuss how we piece together better homes and societies—even when life looks nothing like the manual. From a company that wants people to sit comfortably, but recognizes that progress is often uncomfortable, Screw It ditches the corporate script to embrace the “wonderful mess” of building a better future. 

About Ingka Group 

With IKEA retail operations in 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents 87% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com.