1st Edition

Lead Like a Swede Navigating New Terrain with Solution-Focused Leadership

By Jan Marklund Copyright 2025
    266 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    266 Pages 10 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    In a managerial world often dominated by command and control, this guide champions the Swedish leadership paradigm, offering a fresh, solution-focused approach that harmonises power with empathy, innovation with tradition, and individualism with collective responsibility.

    With 35 years of successful leadership, empowering coaching, and training experience, Jan Marklund brings to the table an unparalleled depth of insight into what makes leaders thrive in new and challenging terrains. This book is a testament to the Swedish leadership style, a beacon for new leaders, and a pragmatic toolkit for those eager to adopt a solution-focused leadership style that aligns with modern values of inclusivity and work-life balance. This book dives into the subtleties of leading in uncharted territories. By leaning on the Swedish leadership ethos, it highlights collaboration, inclusivity, and work-life balance. It offers a pragmatic blueprint to transform organisational challenges into growth opportunities, advocating employee empowerment and proactive problem-solving. This solution-focused leadership approach resonates closely with the Swedish style, accentuating practical solutions over problems. This book not only details Swedish leadership nuances but also suggests strategies to nurture a solution-centric mindset. Drawing from Sweden's rich history of egalitarianism, innovation, and sustainable ethics, this book provides a comprehensive guide for leaders and managers seeking to navigate the complexities of new settings, be they in a different country or culture or simply a new role.

    Using renowned examples from Swedish corporate giants like Volvo, SKF and Spotify, to the public sector's triumphs, this book is a repository of over 100 actionable insights from the crème de la crème of Swedish leadership.

    Preface. Introduction. Part 1: Swedish Culture and Leadership. Chapter 1: In the Eyes of Others. Chapter 2: History of Trust - a lot has happened in 100 years. Chapter 3: Innovations. Chapter 4: Swedish Culture. Part 2: Navigating New Terrain.Section A: SOLUTION FOCUS. Chapter 5: A Short History of Solution Focus. Section B: GETTING STARTED. Chapter 6: Initial “Reconnaissance”. Chapter 7: Hastle Slowly. Chapter 8: Orientation through Communication. Chapter 9: Synchronise Expectations. Section C: CONVERSATIONS AND MEETINGS. Chapter 10: The employee talk - or the one-to-one talk.            Chapter 11: Meaningful Meetings. Section D: COMMUNICATION - INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL. Chapter 12: President's Speech.Chapter 13: Branding. Section E: ORGANISATION AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT. Chapter 14: Target Picture. Chapter 15: Sustainable Guiding Stars. Chapter 16: Leader as a conductor - with a solution-focused approach. Chapter 17: How to make training more effective. Chapter 18: Dare and care. Chapter 19: Conflict management. Chapter 20: Leading teams. Section F: WORK-LIFE BALANCE. Chapter 21: Open or Closed Door. Chapter 22: Take care – of yourself as well. Section G: FINAL ESSENCE OF SOLUTION-FOCUS. Chapter 23: Tracking Progress. Epilogue. Toolbox. 

    Biography

    Jan Marklund is a well-known in leadership coaching with a rich a background as a professional swim coach, teacher, headmaster, journalist, marketer, and management executive. With a published Swedish book and hundreds of managers mentored, his expertise is undisputed. He has international background with experience from the UN to aiding refugees, giving a keen insight into cultural and leadership dynamics, making him the perfect ambassador for Swedish leadership wisdom.