Learning about courageous leadership at the Nordic Business Forum 2024

Insights|September 30, 2024

We are proud to have been an official partner of the Nordic Business Forum for the 7th consecutive year. This year’s theme of courageous leadership offered a wealth of insights that we were thrilled to experience firsthand and share with our clients and students through our side events.

Our breakfast event featured Will Guidara, who spoke about unreasonable hospitality and how paying close attention to your customers – or the people around you – can be a game changer for any business. Guidara shared his experience in leading Eleven Madison Park to be named the best restaurant in the world, underscoring how attentiveness to people – whether it’s arranging sledges for a family experiencing snow for the first time or serving street food to travelers – can create unforgettable experiences. His message was clear: small, thoughtful gestures provided at the right moment can have a lasting impact, shifting how we think about customer relationships and team interactions.

On the main stage at Messukeskus, we had the privilege of learning from several brilliant speakers who offered different perspectives on leadership. Adam Grant highlighted the importance of rethinking, encouraging leaders to embrace adaptability and openness to new ideas. In a rapidly changing world, leaders who are willing to change their minds and pivot are the ones who will thrive. Liz Wiseman shared her insights on the power of multiplier leadership, emphasizing how great leaders amplify the abilities and contributions of those around them, fostering environments where teams can excel together.

One of the most memorable stories came from Morten Hansen, who discussed leadership through the lens of history. He told the story of two explorers, Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, who both set out to reach the South Pole in 1911. While Amundsen’s team succeeded in making it there and back through informed, well-planned strategies, Scott’s team tragically perished just 13 miles from their goal. Hansen used this example to illustrate the critical role of strategic decision-making and preparation in leadership. Amundsen’s careful planning, flexibility, and cautious optimism contrasted with Scott’s rigid approach, reminding us that courageous leadership is about making smart, informed decisions that consider both risks and rewards.

At Roschier, we are committed to developing leadership within our organization and beyond. Our involvement in the Nordic Business Forum is just one of the many ways we seek to grow and learn alongside our clients. In line with this, we are excited to announce that we will be organizing a series of leadership seminars that aim to build on these ideas and foster deeper, meaningful leadership skills. These seminars will draw from thought leaders like those we heard at the Forum, focusing on practical applications in today’s fast-paced business environment.

As we reflect on this year’s Nordic Business Forum, the importance of leading with intention, empathy, and courage is more evident than ever. At Roschier, we believe that by investing in leadership, we not only strengthen our firm but also create value for our clients and the communities we serve.

Through events like the Nordic Business Forum and our leadership seminars, we learn and grow as leaders.

Read more about leadership in our previous articles:

Caroline Farberger and Annie Lööf on value-based leadership

Peter Wallenberg Jr. and Lovisa Cavalli Wallenberg on leadership over time and generations

Hans Stråberg on the ultimate leadership

Ambassador Judith Gough on the art of diplomacy

Ice hockey legend and Olympic gold medalist Mats Sundin on sustainable leadership

Ambassadors Wegger Strømmen, Nicola Clase, and Jakob Nymann-Lindegren on diplomatic leadership

Eija Hakakari and Julia Macharey on the outdated leadership

Delegated leadership: Adapting leadership for the hybrid workplace