Email hasn’t changed much since its inception, yet it remains one of our biggest daily headaches. While countless apps and tools promise to revolutionize digital communication, Michael Olsen has spent the last 12 years tackling a simpler question: Why can’t email just work better? As co-founder, CEO, and CTO of Mailbird, he’s turned that question into a mission that now helps millions of users tame their inboxes with his company processing more than 25 million emails every month.
“So often when someone mentions their email, there’s a sense of dread,” Olsen reflects. “We thought, what if email could be better — way better? So that’s what we set out to do.”
That vision has evolved into a comprehensive platform that allows users to manage multiple email accounts while integrating with popular tools like Slack, ChatGPT, and Google Workspace. With more than four million downloads to date, Mailbird has established itself as a leading solution for streamlined email management and digital communication.
A Major Milestone: The Mac Launch
October 2024 marked a watershed moment for Mailbird with its expansion to the Mac platform. Previously acclaimed as “the best email client for Windows” by PCWorld, this strategic move opens up new horizons for the company. The launch represents more than just a new platform – it’s the realization of a long-term vision to make Mailbird’s productivity-enhancing features accessible to a broader audience.
“We’ve listened to our growing Apple community,” Olsen explains, highlighting the company’s commitment to user-driven development. The Mac version brings Mailbird’s signature features to Apple users, including unified inbox management, customizable themes, and seamless integration with popular productivity tools.
Remote Work Pioneer
Perhaps what sets Mailbird apart is its DNA as a remote-first company. Founded in Bali with a distributed team, Mailbird embraced remote work long before it became a global necessity. This early adoption has given Olsen unique insights into managing distributed teams effectively.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to embrace trust and flexibility in every aspect of remote work,” Olsen explains. “When your team is spread across three continents, you have to trust them to take ownership of their tasks and deliver results.”
This philosophy has shaped Mailbird’s distinctive culture where time tracking is abandoned in favor of outcome-based performance and team members are encouraged to work during their most productive hours. Regular, all-team meetings maintain collaboration while careful hiring ensures new team members thrive in a remote environment.
The Perfectionist’s Balance
As a self-described perfectionist, Olsen has had to learn to balance his drive for excellence with practical business needs. “Being a perfectionist means I set a high standard for quality, and that keeps pushing me to do better,” he admits. “But I’ve had to learn to manage it by focusing on the big picture and convincing myself that progress matters more than getting everything ‘perfect.’ “
This balanced approach extends to how Mailbird develops its products. The company maintains a rigorous feedback loop with its users, gathering insights from support interactions, social media, beta tests, and surveys. These inputs are analyzed quarterly and prioritized based on impact and feasibility, ensuring development decisions align with user needs while remaining sustainable for the business.
Wellness as a Leadership Tool
Beyond his role as a tech leader, Olsen is passionate about personal wellness — a philosophy that influences his leadership style. Based in Copenhagen, he maintains an active lifestyle that includes gym workouts, soccer, and his favorite sport: badminton (which he’s played for 20 years).
“Exercise gives me mental clarity and keeps me energized and focused,” he shares. “I talk to my team about these things and encourage them to make time to take care of themselves. When we do that, we can bring our best to the work we do.”
Innovation and Future Vision
The recent Mac launch is just one part of Mailbird’s broader innovation strategy. The company has embraced artificial intelligence (AI) integration, incorporating the ChatGPT chatbot to enhance email composition and streamline communication workflows. This move reflects Mailbird’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancement while maintaining its core mission of simplifying email management.
“We’re stoked for what our expansion to Mac means for us as a business and for our community,” Olsen says. “It’s so rewarding to see it come to life — and I’m excited to hear what our users think. We can always count on them to help us improve and grow.”
As email remains a crucial part of our digital lives, Mailbird’s approach to simplifying communication while fostering a healthy remote work culture offers valuable lessons for the future of work. The company continues to evolve under Olsen’s leadership, proving that focusing on core user needs while embracing innovation can lead to sustained success in the tech industry.
The expansion to Mac, combined with AI integration and a steadfast commitment to user experience, positions Mailbird for its next phase of growth. As Olsen and his team look to the future, their vision remains clear: make email management not just more efficient, but also a little more enjoyable for users worldwide.