HR Leaders How to Lead Across Different Cultures
Apr 3, 2025
Helene Hasselskog, Chief Human Resources Officer at Sweco, is a leader in tackling the challenges of talent management in engineering. She discusses how Sweco is refining its leadership philosophy to bridge cultural gaps and balance empathy with performance. Helene highlights innovative strategies for addressing the talent shortage and fostering a cohesive culture amidst a decentralized organization. Their journey emphasizes shared values, mentorship, and the importance of aligning HR with business goals to navigate the complexities of global workforce dynamics.
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Sweco's Decentralized Origin
- Sweco's decentralized model, where each team is P&L responsible, originated in the 1960s.
- Founder Gunnar Nordstrom believed in distributed responsibility for success.
Ownership and Decentralization
- Decentralized models create strong ownership because there's no one else to blame.
- This accountability empowers individuals and teams.
Cultural Consistency
- Define core behaviors and assess them regularly to maintain a consistent culture.
- Create a joint leadership statement with the executive team.