What experiences do you bring from your role within the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) - what can the commercial business world learn from trade union activities?

Purpose-driven leadership! It's fundamentally about always starting from the organization's idea and purpose. Why do we exist? What is our higher purpose? How can we practice what we preach? For those of us who work in the non-profit sector, the very purpose of our work is a guiding star that both motivates and engages. We humans have an interest in being part of something bigger than ourselves, and when you work towards a clear idea and vision that is about improving people's lives, the work feels incredibly meaningful.

If we apply purpose-driven leadership to the private sector, I am convinced that companies that have a clear purpose and engaged leaders who live the company's idea also get more motivated employees. If the company has an idea and a story about what it wants to achieve, you can put the product or service in that context. It creates greater meaning for most people than just chasing profits.

You have been both an entrepreneur in start-up companies and worked as a leader in large, more mature organizations. What is the difference in leadership style and corporate culture when comparing the different businesses?

The biggest difference is hierarchy and bureaucracy! Hahaha :-) In start-up companies, you invent methods and solutions as needs arise – for better or worse. Everything is possible, and you can experiment your way forward, completely without bureaucratic obstacles. In larger, more mature organizations, you usually have established plans, processes, and policies for all eventualities. I worked for many years at the European Free Trade Association, an intergovernmental free trade organization in Brussels, and there, all work was carried out based on templates and meeting minutes. Predictable and orderly, but the space for creativity was not so great. The leadership style is, of course, characterized by this! The leaders and entrepreneurs I have worked with in small start-ups have been creative "doers" who collaborated with everyone who can help them with the business idea, regardless of rank or background. In large, mature, more hierarchical organizations, leaders are unfortunately all too often preoccupied with status and power hierarchies at the expense of collaboration to achieve the goals.

You grew up in Iceland and have extensive international experience. How does Swedish leadership stand up?

I feel that Nordic leadership in general is very successful. Our competitiveness is largely based on the unique spirit of cooperation that exists here. In the Nordic countries, we have an empathetic and democratic leadership where we emphasize collaboration, consensus, and delegation of power and responsibility. A bit like a reflection of the surrounding society, which leadership is always exercised in interaction with.

Iceland stands out a bit by having more risk-taking entrepreneurial leaders who make quick decisions, work hard, and like to go around the formal structures. I think Sweden would benefit from having a little more of Iceland's incurable optimism and just-do-it attitude. On the other hand, optimism can go to excess with us Icelanders because we always think that everything will work out...

If we look a little towards the future of working life, I am convinced that Swedish leadership will stand strong. Why? Well, because we have developed empathetic leaders who sometimes even have the ability to show themselves vulnerable and human. Authenticity and the courage to be yourself are what people long for – both in their leaders and in themselves.