The second Global Forum VALID took place on 21 May 2020. The discussant was Tomas Carlsson, a Global Forum community member, who spoke about lessons learned from transformation and turnaround experiences in critical times, including the pandemic. He is President and CEO of one of the largest construction companies in the Nordic region of Europe, based in Stockholm. Tomas is also a member of the Stockholm’s Chamber of Commerce committee of academics and business leaders tasked to recommend how to “restart” the Swedish economy.
He outlined his key operational approaches in leading transformation. He drives profitability improvement and growth in a sustainable way with a focus on developing organizations fit for people and fit for purpose. On assuming the leadership at NCC in 2018 he took time organize the “right team”, to make sure they achieved sustainable growth well above the average. Today, two-thirds in the top team are “new” to the company.
His second operational objective was “effective “governance”. He wanted an empowered team that would lead and implement the three thousand ongoing projects in NCC. He also set up a special task force on the pandemic, spending time every day discussing and helping them implement recommended actions.
The third pillar was “the right allocation of capital” and fourthly, and certainly not least, “communication”.
There were several questions focusing on these topics as well as how he views the future of his industry and the company’s eco-system. His personal leadership goals and advice to other leaders are to always be looking ahead, be consistent with one’s leadership values and practices, and stay updated and “keeping perspective”. When asked how he does this, he replied that he tries to spend time reflecting, taking a full day once a month to do so. And his “yoga” is cooking to clear his mind and refocus. As a “thirsty learner” he reads a great deal, both non-fiction as well as fiction. Participants very much appreciated Tomas’ discussion and thanked him accordingly.
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