Anttu Forsberg - Killing the myth of the hero leader

Feb 13, 2024

Anttu Forsberg, a leadership anthropologist and coach, debunks the myth of the 'hero leader.' He explores the cultural context of Finnish leadership and the impact of the old boys' network on women's roles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humility, emotional regulation, and fostering an emotionally safe workplace. Anttu advocates for a shift from individualism to collective growth, highlighting the need for genuine listening and curiosity in effective leadership. Expect insights into navigating dysfunctional teams and embracing emotional intelligence strategies.

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Intro

00:00 • 3min

Redefining Leadership in Modern Contexts

03:08 • 10min

Embracing Humility in Leadership

12:56 • 26min

Coaching Emotional Intelligence: Strategies and Challenges

38:35 • 2min

Navigating the Pitfalls of Dysfunctional Leadership Teams

41:04 • 2min

Challenging the Old Boys Network in Finnish Leadership

42:47 • 8min

In this episode with Anttu 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.

(00:00) Intro to Anttu Forsberg, leadership anthropoligist. Focus on observing leadership teams and emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence in Finnish leadership.
(04:40) Killing the myth of the hero leader. Leadership as the outcome of the collective.
(07:25) Challenging the concept of hero leader in global context
(09:59) Finnish leadership focuses more on competence than hierarchy. Underestimating the importance of establishing emotional connections.
(13:06) Core advice to modern leaders. Be merciful, accept not knowing.
(14:23) Creating supportive culture, emotional space where people want to be
(17:00) Importance of generosity in leadership. Inclusiveness and humility are important leadership traits in Finnish culture.
(20:35) Emotions in the workplace. Emotional denial can lead to difficulty in dealing with emotions in organizations.
(22:38) Articulating emotions.
(23:42) Impact of leader's emotional acknowledgment on individuals
(28:18) Leadership is behavior, not title or position
(30:10) Influence needs effective management tools for leadership to be impactful
(34:28) Admitting to not knowing is essential for exploration and growth
(36:30) Importance of asking questions and recognizing emotions in Finnish leadership
(40:34) Leadership teams can impact organizational culture negatively. Toxic culture.
(42:53) Challenges of old boys networks in leadership
(47:57) Hosts' reflections. Shift from stars to constellations in leadership. The impact of Finland's history on modern leaders.

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