
The FLT Podcast
We are on a mission to explore and deeply understand Finnish leadership. We will sit down with Finnish leaders and experts to discuss the various aspects of Finnish leadership. Mark, Anneli and Alexei use their decades of academic and corporate experience to help our guests work through their philosophies and experiences with the goal of refining what it means to be a Finnish leader.
Latest episodes

Apr 3, 2025 • 50min
Joppe Quaedvlieg - asking for what you really want
This month Finnish Leadership is asking what it really wants
This episode we sit down with international leader, author and communication expert Joppe Quaedvlieg to cover what organizations get wrong during hiring, how leaders struggle to articulate what they want and who they want to be, building saunas in the desert, LinkedIn becoming tinder, connecting to your purpose and much, much more.
You can find out more about Joppe's great work here at https://www.artiqula.com/
Cover art for the episode comes from Hannu Rytky, the sauna in the desert was constructed by JKMM Architects: https://jkmm.fi/
Support the show...
FLT LinkedIn: (1) Finnish Leadership Team – FLT podcast: Overview | LinkedIn (1) Finnish
FLT Website: https://the-flt.com/
FLT Support the show: https://the-flt.com/support-the-show/
Mark’s LinkedIn: (1) Mark Hayton | LinkedIn
Anneli’s LinkedIn: (2) Anneli Karlstedt (she/her) | LinkedIn
Alexei’s LinkedIn: (2) Alexei Koveshnikov | LinkedIn
Bella’s LinkedIn: (1) Bella Kayumova | LinkedIn
Kelly’s LinkedIn: (2) Kelly Keodara | LinkedIn
A big thanks to...
Bloom Finland: Bloom ry (bloomtogether.fi)
Digital Fireworks: Home - Digital Fireworks
Populum: Your People & Culture Experience platform – Populum
Helsinki Think Company: https://www.thinkcompany.fi/
Our channels
FLT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-FLT
FLT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Sj5YAyZ8AJGooVYLC8RA6
FLT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/the-flt-podcast/id1727605372
Podcast 24: https://podcast24.fi/podcastit/the-flt-podcast
PodBean channel: https://the-flt.podbean.com/

Mar 4, 2025 • 48min
Michaela Kettner - Getting Inside the Head of a Hiring Manager
This month Finnish Leadership is Getting Inside the Head of a Hiring Manager
This episode we sit down with international leader and podcaster and personal brand expert Michaela Kettner. We ask the questions: does the best idea win? Who gets promoted? What’s the manager on the other side of the hiring desk thinking? And why do so many of us, play “the numbers game” when choosing a career? With an international perspective and outside in look at Finland, Michaela’s answers may be surprising.
We learn from Michaela's experiences of moving from Germany to Finland during Covid compare leadership styles and practices and give advice for those looking to succeed with Finnish leaders.
https://www.michaela-kettner.coach/
Support the show...
FLT LinkedIn: (1) Finnish Leadership Team – FLT podcast: Overview | LinkedIn (1) Finnish
FLT Website: https://the-flt.com/
FLT Support the show: https://the-flt.com/support-the-show/
Mark’s LinkedIn: (1) Mark Hayton | LinkedIn
Anneli’s LinkedIn: (2) Anneli Karlstedt (she/her) | LinkedIn
Alexei’s LinkedIn: (2) Alexei Koveshnikov | LinkedIn
Bella’s LinkedIn: (1) Bella Kayumova | LinkedIn
Kelly’s LinkedIn: (2) Kelly Keodara | LinkedIn
A big thanks to...
Bloom Finland: Bloom ry (bloomtogether.fi)
Digital Fireworks: Home - Digital Fireworks
Populum: Your People & Culture Experience platform – Populum
Helsinki Think Company: https://www.thinkcompany.fi/
Our channels
FLT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-FLT
FLT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Sj5YAyZ8AJGooVYLC8RA6
FLT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/the-flt-podcast/id1727605372
Podcast 24: https://podcast24.fi/podcastit/the-flt-podcast
PodBean channel: https://the-flt.podbean.com/

Feb 6, 2025 • 52min
Reggie Rusan - Investing in our Network
Reggie Rusan, an international executive and founder of Simple Tech Solutions, shares his insights on navigating leadership and networking in Finland. He emphasizes the power of personal branding and the challenges of integrating into close-knit communities. The conversation dives into bias within networks, the importance of diversity for innovation, and how leaders can empower their teams. Reggie also reflects on the unique hurdles immigrant entrepreneurs face in Finland, underscoring the vital role of community support in achieving success.

Jan 7, 2025 • 26min
Setting Goals for 2025 – FLT Podcast, Holiday Special
The hosts share festive plans and explore unique Christmas traditions, especially in Finland and Italy. They discuss Finnish leadership's commitment to diversity and the challenges of inclusivity in social networks. The conversation touches on a 'CHAIN' environment defined by negative traits affecting leadership today. With hopes for 2025, they emphasize nurturing junior leaders and the importance of bold communication amidst uncertainty. The episode wraps up with reflections on public dissatisfaction with leaders and holiday greetings.

Dec 23, 2024 • 1h 4min
Peter Nyman - Does Finnish leadership have its own charisma? (Spotify users)
In our session with Peter Nyman we broke down leadership covering the topics of leadership presence, communication and the perception of Finnish leaders both locally and internationally.
This episode we sit down with renowned media figure, entrepreneur, author and communications expert Peter Nyman. We discuss the role of communication in leadership, authenticity, charisma, Finnish leaders’ international appeal, the engineering mindset, running in speedos, the “duckpond” of the swedish-finnish community and much, much more.
https://www.peternyman.fi/
Our channels
FLT YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The-FLT
FLT Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Sj5YAyZ8AJGooVYLC8RA6
FLT Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/fi/podcast/the-flt-podcast/id1727605372
Podcast 24: https://podcast24.fi/podcastit/the-flt-podcast
PodBean channel: https://the-flt.podbean.com/
Key Links
FLT LinkedIn: (1) Finnish Leadership Team – FLT podcast: Overview | LinkedIn (1) Finnish
FLT Website: https://the-flt.com/
FLT Support the show: https://the-flt.com/support-the-show/
Sponsors / Collaborators
Bloom Finland: Bloom ry (bloomtogether.fi)
Digital Fireworks video production: Home - Digital Fireworks
Populum: Your People & Culture Experience platform – Populum
Helsinki Think Company: https://www.thinkcompany.fi/

Oct 13, 2024 • 51min
Tim Sparv - Coaching High Performance (Spotify users)
In this insightful discussion, Tim Sparv, Assistant coach at Sparta Prague and a former Finnish national team captain, shares his journey from player to coach. He emphasizes the vital role of empathy in leadership and high-performance sports. Tim reflects on the delicate balance between personal ambition and team cohesion, and the unique Finnish traits that shape leadership styles. He also discusses the importance of social responsibility and the emotional challenges athletes face, revealing how these elements contribute to successful coaching.

Sep 24, 2024 • 31min
Janne Kilpeläinen - Building teams
Janne Kilpeläinen, CEO of Uskalla Team Performance and former Nokia veteran, shares insights on transforming workplace dynamics. He addresses misconceptions about teams, emphasizing the importance of trust and emotional connections. Janne delves into intelligent routinization for skill development and draws parallels between sports strategies and corporate leadership. He also explores the critical role of empathy and communication in building strong interpersonal relationships within teams, ensuring better collaboration and performance.

Sep 10, 2024 • 53min
Celine Pasula - Evolving the players
Celine Pasula, Managing Director of Ubisoft RedLynx, shares her insights on leadership in the gaming industry. She discusses the importance of psychological safety and transparency for fostering creativity. Celine also emphasizes how diverse perspectives enhance team dynamics and reflects on the evolving motivations of both players and developers. The conversation touches on breaking traditional norms and the impact of personal experiences on leadership styles, all while highlighting the enriching journey of personal growth in a collaborative environment.

Aug 27, 2024 • 34min
Satu Hamed - Embracing #WhyNotism
Satu Samir Hamed, founder of Planet Diplomats and a fresh voice in sustainability, joins the conversation to explore #WhyNotism. They dive into the concept of 'climate quitting,' emphasizing the need to align personal values with professional activities for authenticity. Hamed shares insights on the post-COVID work landscape and the blurred lines between life and career. The discussion encourages leaders to embrace creativity and intuition, highlighting the importance of taking risks for meaningful, sustainable impact.

Aug 13, 2024 • 52min
Kristiina Mäkelä - Shaping the future
Kristiina Mäkelä, provost at Aalto University, dives into the evolving landscape of Finnish leadership and education. She discusses the importance of strategic thinking and collaboration in academia, as well as the impact of digitalization on HR management. Kristiina emphasizes cultivating future leaders committed to sustainability, contrasting motivations between top university students and locals. With insights on Finnish leadership styles and the significance of interdisciplinary education, she paints a hopeful picture of a diverse and innovative future.
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