Well-attended seminar on leadership
On Wednesday, June 28, during Almedalen Week, TechSverige organized a well-attended seminar on the theme of leadership. Åsa Zetterberg, Director of TechSverige, opened the seminar by explaining the importance of the tech industry addressing leadership issues.
- The tech sector has become an increasingly important part of society and this places high demands on the industry's leaders and that we take our responsibility for the continued sustainable development of Sweden. At the same time, we also lack 70,000 tech workers but have difficulty finding and attracting them. One key to being able to attract new skills and thus strengthen the industry's development to continue to act as an enabler for a competitive Sweden, is that we develop leadership in the industry.
Ellinor Bjennbacke, Deputy Director of TechSverige, presented the leadership manifesto developed by the association, which aims to establish a common set of values and a concrete vision for the industry. The manifesto is intended to engage and unite leaders at all levels of the tech industry, but also to inspire other leaders in other industries.
The panel discussion that followed, chaired by Hélène Barnekow, featured a number of well-known and prominent tech leaders:
Soledad Pinero Misa, Founder and CEO of Part of More
Anna Wikland, Head of Sweden for Google
Tahero Nori, Founder and CEO of Buddy company
Eva-Lotta Jonsvik, CMO Advania
Per Wallentin, CEO Knowit and Chairman of TechSverige
Jenny Hermanson, Nordic CEO Spotify
The panel agreed on the importance of adopting the societal perspective when it comes to leadership; tech leadership is more relevant than ever in light of the great importance we as an industry have for society at large - both locally and globally.
All panelists also agreed that a common vision and values are needed, but that it is equally important how the manifesto is then put into practice; that it is not just a lot of nice words, but that it also becomes concrete action and actions. At the same time, the importance of measuring and following up on leadership was also highlighted; and that this should be done at both company and industry level.
Several of the panelists also highlighted the importance of building an open and innovative culture; as tech leaders, we must focus on finding what each employee is driven by, what they get excited about and feel meaningful about.
When asked about what constitutes courageous leadership, the importance of daring to be transparent was emphasized; daring to share your personality and at the same time daring to admit that as a leader you are not always the one with all the answers or truths.
The panel particularly highlighted door openers as one of the most important values or leadership skills, something that Ellinor Bjennbacke also emphasized in the introduction:
- As a tech industry, we have a great responsibility here; new talents who want to come to the industry often lack existing networks - both from schools and training, previous work experience and from leisure time. The leadership in the tech industry should therefore generously offer both contacts and networks and open doors for everyone who wants to apply to our exciting and important industry.
Sign the manifesto too!
TechSverige's board is already behind the manifesto - do you as a tech leader also want to sign?
By submitting your name, you support the initiative, the common vision and the stated values of leadership in the tech industry.
Your name will then be published on this page, along with the other tech leaders who have chosen to sign.
