Outi Sivonen, CHRO at Solita, is a Finnish expert in leadership and organizational culture. She discusses the evolving landscape of leadership, emphasizing the importance of presence and trust in fostering team growth. Key topics include the necessity of open dialogue on diversity and performance, as well as the role of authentic company culture in encouraging individuality. Outi also highlights the significance of clear communication for effective feedback, and the need for tailored approaches in a diverse workplace.
Finnish leadership prioritizes community management, fostering autonomy within teams while leaders remain accountable for decision-making responsibilities.
Addressing sensitive topics like diversity and performance requires improved dialogue skills and an environment encouraging open, critical conversations.
Building trust through presence and encouragement allows leaders to cultivate strong relationships, empowering employees to contribute meaningfully to the organization.
Deep dives
Finnish Leadership and Company Culture
Finnish leadership is characterized by a strong emphasis on community management over hierarchical structures. Successful companies like Solita exemplify this by encouraging autonomy within teams while ensuring that leaders maintain responsibility for decision-making. Leaders in such environments must possess skills to listen and interpret signals from their teams, fostering a culture where open dialogue is prioritized. This approach is rooted in the belief that leadership should be viewed as a behavior rather than a strictly defined role.
The Importance of Constructive Dialogue
One significant challenge in Finnish corporate culture is the difficulty in addressing sensitive topics openly, such as diversity and performance. While people are polite and seek to avoid conflict, this often leads to avoidance of critical discussions that are necessary for growth. The need for better skills in argumentation and constructive criticism is essential to facilitate these difficult conversations. Emphasizing the significance of dialogue, leaders are urged to foster an environment where uncomfortable yet necessary topics can be freely discussed.
Diversity and Inclusion Challenges
Discussions around diversity and inclusion are still in their infancy within Finnish organizations, marked by a reluctance to engage in dialogue about varying sexual orientations and cultural differences. This hesitation stems from fears of backlash or misunderstanding, often leaving employees feeling unprepared to voice their concerns or insights. Encouragement to explore these issues is crucial for fostering a more inclusive workplace that not only acknowledges but celebrates diversity. Leaders are urged to create platforms where these discussions can occur without fear of cancellation or misinterpretation.
Leadership Philosophy Centered on Trust
A robust leadership philosophy revolves around building trust through presence and encouragement. Effective leaders must show genuine interest in their team's well-being and empower them to reach their full potential. By focusing on strengthening relationships rather than merely exerting control, leaders promote a culture that values individual contributions. This philosophy reflects a desire to create an environment where employees feel acknowledged and capable of achieving greater outcomes.
Navigating Cultural Differences in Leadership
As companies like Solita expand into different countries, recognizing cultural nuances in leadership styles becomes increasingly important. Finnish leaders often operate in a context of egalitarianism, which may contrast with hierarchical structures evident in other cultures. Differences in communication styles and the degree of autonomy expected can create challenges in integrating diverse teams. By appreciating and learning from these cultural differences, companies can maintain their core values while adapting to local practices for improved collaboration.
In this episode we sit down with Outi Sivonen, CHRO at Solita to 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.
