As children, we instinctively find ways to collaborate, whether through building intricate Lego creations, playing games, or sharing stories. But as we step into leadership roles, do we retain this ability to find common ground, or do we let differences create barriers? At Hanken & SSE, we believe that transformative leadership is the key to renewal both for individuals and organisations. As we celebrate 20 years of executive education, we reflect on what truly drives success: not authority, but trust, engagement, and a shared vision. How can leaders harness these principles to inspire change and create lasting impact? Let’s explore.
Is the quest for great leadership only child's play?
As a child, I was always drawn to discovering how things worked. Whether it was dismantling electronic toys or combining different Lego sets into imaginative spacecraft, I loved creating something new out of existing pieces. Growing up as a Swedish-speaking Finn in the early 1980s, I often navigated different cultural contexts. At times, this made me feel like an outsider, but I quickly learned that shared interests—whether in Legos, music, problem-solving, or powerful stories—had the power to bring people together and create something fun. This realisation shaped my belief that finding common ground is not just a childhood lesson but a principle that holds true in organisations and society.
Hanken & SSE Ab celebrates 20 years of executive education this year in Finland, although our operations already started years earlier as a cooperation between the Stockholm School of Economics and Hanken School of Economics. The original mission was to support life-long learning after studies by combining academic research with practical application and in this way supporting companies to succeed. The main trends then revolved around globalisation, the allocation of resources, and new ways of using effective digital tools and technologies daily. Although we have seen many trends come and go, we have always seen that a meta competence and driver for real impact and renewal has been transformative leadership.
What is leadership for?
One of the most common phrases I hear when we start a project is that our organisation is so different, and even different parts of the organisation are so distinct that they struggle to collaborate. Yet, time and time again, we discover that our challenges are more similar than they first appear. Just as children learn to cooperate through play, organisations flourish when they focus on shared goals rather than differences. The most successful teams are not those who are identical in thought but those who leverage their differences to create something stronger together.
So, what allows some teams and organisations to work seamlessly while others struggle? It often comes down to mindset and engagement. When people believe in a shared purpose and trust their colleagues, they become more open to new ideas and also act upon them. Instead of viewing differences as obstacles, they see them as strengths that enhance problem-solving and decision-making. When having a shared goal, creating an environment where collaboration thrives is easier.
Leadership as a catalyst for renewal
At Hanken & SSE, we are dedicated to igniting renewal in people and organisations by providing clarity and purpose. We believe in the power of bringing together diverse individuals in environments where they can learn, discover new opportunities, and co-create solutions. This can take many forms—developing new strategic directions, refining leadership methodologies, or improving practical ways of working, all backed by academic research and best practices. Sometimes organisations must make tough decisions and let people go. We support both these people to find their next career and the organisation to maintain their drive towards their goal without losing momentum.
I have over 50 wonderful colleagues who share a passion for renewal. Every day, we work to create meaningful impact by helping people and organisations to clarify their vision and engage to get there. The more we engage in this work, the clearer it becomes that true leadership isn’t about authority or control but about fostering trust, collaboration, and a shared vision. In the world of AI, human leadership becomes more important. Allowing people to know they are important, thanking them for their contribution, and helping them to navigate for even better results. This might seem like a small shift in perspective, but in reality, it’s a profound leap that changes how organisations function and thrive.
How can leaders foster renewal?
Leaders who successfully drive renewal do so by:
- Fostering the why by aligning organisational goals with broader societal needs, making the work meaningful for employees and customers.
- Giving context and asking questions on what we have learned and what we can improve continuously. Great leaders ask for feedback, they do not only give feedback.
- Asking for diverse perspectives, asking how the problem could be solved differently and not only with one solution.
- Being empathetic and authentic as a friend builds trust within teams. No one is perfect nor has the right answers. I am very open about the fact that I probably do not have the right answer and have been wrong several times, but I do my best to help my teammates to figure out a good solution.
Our human superpower is to envision
My journey from a curious child to the CEO of Hanken & SSE has been driven by a passion for connecting people under a common dream of helping people and organisations in their renewal. Just as I once found common ground among diverse groups of children, today, Hanken & SSE brings together individuals and organisations to collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful change. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we remain committed to advancing research, education, and impactful leadership. By focusing on shared strengths and embracing new possibilities, we can continue building a brighter, more collaborative future together as our profits also support the research and education of our owner schools.
Ultimately, what sets us humans apart from other species is the ability to dream and envision things that do not exist today, and try out new ways of making it a reality. Leadership and organisational success are built on our ability to find common ground, embrace change, and work toward a collective vision. Isn’t that what child’s play is about?
Hanken & SSE Executive Education
We transform academic research and the latest business insight into practice to accelerate the growth and renewal of people and organisations. We are owned by Hanken and Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). SSE is recognised by the Financial Times as a leading provider of Executive Education in Northern Europe. Our profits are returned to our owner schools for research purposes and to continue educating future economic leaders.
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Photo copyright: Eeva Rista