We are on a mission to deeply understand Finnish Leadership. Join us as we bring you conversations with leaders and experts to help us find a common definition.
Finnish Leadership is …
Episode 1: … enabling others to be their best selves
We discuss: the trap of leadership, finding the “clean line”, treating work like your hobby, the sins of leadership teams, meaningful change and much, much more.
Episode 2: … killing the myth of the hero leader
Episode 2: Available here
We discuss, the myth of the hero leader, emotional regulation, the historical imprint left on Finnish leaders, the old boys network, Metallica and much, much more.
Episode 3: … helping others succeed
We discuss: accomplishing a complete organizational change, the value of diversity, productivity, finding a mentor, helping others succeed, how leadership relates to parenting, patience and ballet, the impact of AI and much, much more.
Episode 4: … being the example
We sit down with Martti Ahtisaari Foundation CEO Janne Taalas, stubbornness, harnessing emotions, vomiting sessions, negotiating virtually, swapping shoes, finding the balance, establishing a platform for growth, and much, much more.
Episode 5: … hedging and smiling, like Stubb
In this episode we discuss with Teivo Teivainen, Finland’s “boring” elections, the role of optimism in elections, the impact of identity on this election, handling existential threats, becoming a “front-line” state and what we can expect from Alexander Stub as a leader.
Episode 7: … being present for others
This week we sit down with Solita CHRO Outi Sivonen. In this episode we talk about getting permission, the role of sensing in leadership, self-reflection, honesty, getting the best out of technical talent, clarity and much, much, more.
Episode 9: … protecting the team, so they can go crazy.
In this episode we discuss, we sit down with dancer, director and leader of the Helsinki Dance Company Valtteri Raekallio and discuss, communication beyond language, the roll of physicality in teams, tripping, trust and protecting your team, to set them free.
Episode 10: … dreaming big enough, so that everyone laughs
In this episode we sit down with Microsoft Finland’s Managing Director, Mervi Airaksinen to discuss chopping the elephant, dealing with owners, leading a transformation, dreaming big, the importance of a good leadership “team” and the balance between tech and expertise.
Episode 11: … agile, reliable and building clarity
In this episode we discuss with author and agile pioneer Riina Hellström to discuss defining boundaries, learning to say no, learning to hear no, financial clarity, fitting working styles to the business and the reasons we all need to become agile.
Episode 12: … thinking American
In this episode we will sit down SAM (Suomi Amerikka Yhdistys) CEO, Lena Grenat to discuss the differences and similarities between Finns and Americans, building networks, vulnerability, playing chess, being present, the difference between winning and succeeding, the changing political landscape and much more.
Episode 14: … Shaping the future
In this episode we sit down with Aalto University Provost Kristiina Mäkelä to discuss leading in academia, finding strategic focus, fostering collaboration the next generation of Finnish leaders, educating “gamechangers”, shaping a sustainable future and much, much more!
Episode 15: … Embracing #WhyNotism
In this episode we will sit down with sustainable entrepreneur Satu Samir Hamed to discuss breaking out of the hamster wheel, design thinking, climate quitting, thought diversity, the role of risk-taking in growth, defining your own identity and influencing sustainability agendas beyond reporting and much, much more.
Episode 16: … Evolving the players
In this episode we sit down with Managing Director of Ubisoft RedLynx, Celine Pasula and discuss making space for dialogue, building psychological safety, transparency, focusing on the how, incorporating diverse backgrounds, motivation, lessons from evolutionary theory, breaking norms in the gaming industry and much, much more.
What have you gotten used to, that a five year old, just wouldn’t understand?
Episode 17: … Building teams
In this episode we sit down with the CEO of Uskalla Team Performance, Janne Kilpeläinen to discuss what most of us get wrong about being a “team” at work. We wonder about the definitions of teams, our habits and how we can start to bring the best out of each other in a work environment.
Episode 18: … Coaching high performance
This week Finnish leadership is coaching elite performance. We discuss with Finland national team and Sparta Prague coach Tim Sparv about the lessons he took from competing at the elite level in football, about the role of a captain, the differences between playing and coaching, the role of empathy in sports, the sacrifices of high performance and the unique traits Finns bring to leadership, competitive roles, taking a stance on social issues and much, much more.
Episode 19: … Finding its charisma
In our session with Peter Nyman we broke down leadership covering the topics of leadership presence, communication and the perception of Finnish leaders both locally and internationally.
We discuss the role of communication in leadership, authenticity, charisma, Finnish leaders’ international appeal, the engineering mindset, running in speedos, the “duckpond” of the swedish-finnish community and much, much more.
FLT Holiday Special
The team discusses it’s mixed plans for the festive period and looks forward to another year of inspired leadership in 2025.
In this episode we sit down with international executive Reggie Rusan. We discuss integrating as a leader, building and leveraging a personal brand, the realities of integration in Finland, changing careers, the tribal nature of networks in Finland, bias, authenticity, entrepreneurship, sharpening skates, sparring with your team, healthy conflict and much, much more.
Podcast Trailer
Why did we start this initiative? This trailer summarizes what we are looking for and what you can expect to get out of this series.
Have a project in mind?
The FLT 