The FLT Podcast

Join the team as they reflect on summer adventures from Australia to Finland, sharing cultural shocks and memorable moments. Explore contrasting leadership styles between the U.S. and Finland, highlighting trust, resilience, and community. A whimsical discussion on summer beverages, including butterbeer and French pinot, adds a light touch. The celebration of Finnish values, perseverance, and integrity in leadership invites listeners to embrace meaningful qualities while enjoying a refreshing lager. Cheers to insights and summer relaxation!

Lena Grenat, CEO of SAM, explores the intriguing cultural contrasts and similarities between Finns and Americans. She highlights the importance of resilience and vulnerability in leadership, drawing parallels to chess as a metaphor for learning and strategy. The conversation dives into effective communication across diverse backgrounds, fostering global networks, and the challenges of non-profit leadership. Lena emphasizes the need for personal growth through embracing mistakes, showing how inspiration and adaptability shape effective leaders in uncertain times.

Riina Hellström, an author and agile pioneer, shares her insights on navigating the complexities of modern organizational dynamics. She emphasizes the need for clarity and transparency in leadership, drawing parallels between sports communication and workplace collaboration. Riina discusses the challenges of adopting agile HR methods, highlights the importance of emotional maturity in managing difficult dynamics, and underscores the role of dialogue in overcoming resistance to change. Her perspectives on financial clarity and the necessity of saying no add depth to the conversation.

Mervi Airaksinen, Managing Director of Microsoft Finland, shares her journey through corporate leadership and personal growth. She discusses the challenge of ambitious dreaming in a culture of humility and the importance of strategic transformation in overcoming leadership hurdles. Mervi highlights how diverse leadership teams enhance decision-making and fosters collaboration. She also delves into balancing family and career, emphasizing the need for self-promotion in Finland's tech sector, and the ongoing evolution of corporate values towards inclusivity and innovation.

Valtteri Raekallio, a prominent Finnish dancer and artistic director of the Helsinki Dance Company, shares intriguing insights about the power of non-verbal communication in artistic expression. He discusses the crucial balance between productivity and emotional connection in teamwork, especially within virtual settings. Valtteri emphasizes the importance of trust and shared experiences in creating impactful performances and explores how artistic success can be assessed through team well-being. His reflections on leadership transformation in Finnish arts shed light on nurturing creativity beyond traditional models.

A lively discussion unfolds over coffee as hosts celebrate a team member's new journey. They tackle the challenges of performance management, stressing the importance of supportive work environments. The conversation delves into personal growth, especially for foreign employees navigating new cultures, and the balance leaders must strike between authenticity and adaptability. The intricate dynamics of leadership are examined, highlighting the potential impact of authenticity on team morale and employee well-being.

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.

Is the buzz around DEI fading? The team discusses the pressing need for genuine change amid shifting workplace conversations. They delve into age diversity and the challenges faced by those over 50, tackling systemic ageism. Recruitment biases tied to appearance and ethnicity are examined, revealing how they affect hiring. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embedding DEI in business strategies, highlighting the risks of ignoring it. Ultimately, the dialogue champions the enduring necessity of DEI for innovation and organizational health.

Teivo Teivainen, an expert on Finnish politics, delves into the recent elections and their implications. He explores why Finland's elections might be considered 'boring' yet reveal deep-rooted optimism. The conversation highlights the role of identity in shaping voter behavior and the unique challenges facing Finland as a 'front-line' state. Teivainen also contrasts the leadership styles of the outgoing and incoming presidents, shedding light on their foreign policy approaches amid evolving geopolitical tensions.

Janne Taalas, CEO of the Martti Ahtisaari Foundation, dives into the art of emotional intelligence in leadership and conflict resolution. He shares insights on the unique 'vomiting sessions' used to address emotions before negotiations. The conversation touches on the importance of project orientation versus relationships in Finnish culture and advocates for empowering women's voices in peacebuilding efforts. Taalas emphasizes the vital role women play in negotiations and the need for authentic leadership, enriched with humor and emotional insight.