But dad, you are a kind shark

This was many years ago. My young daughter Inka attended a regular swimming school session. Before the session, Inka wanted to have some fun in the pool, so I was supposed to be the shark whereas she was escaping my playful attacks. Afterwards, we sat down into our car, with Inka sitting on the back seat. I looked at the rearview mirror and I caught Inka’s glance. Then I asked with a twinkle in my eye: “How do you dare, dear Inka, to swim with a shark?” And Inka answered: “But dad, you are a kind shark.”

This special memory came into my mind when I started, again, a new leadership assignment in a company whose business results had been declining for several years. By experience, I had learned to better combine the hard and the soft, so I used the ‘kind shark’ metaphor when speaking to the managers of the company. This metaphor seemed to appeal to many, as there had been a lot of toughness before, with no results. My main message was to act kindly with professionals and be sharks in business matters.

Now, I have started a new ‘kind shark’ company whose mission is to help customers in demanding changes. I believe this can be best accomplished by focusing on the enabling factors, which I divide into 5 enabling sectors and 25 questions; as presented in the what part of this website. The scope varies from finding the core business decisions to stimulating the necessary change, digitizing the services, achieving the full commitment of people, and focusing the leader’s mind. And the motto goes like this: change cannot be made – it evolves!

I have also written a book but unfortunately it is first available in Finnish only. I will, however, start sharing my thoughts in English by publishing blogs that are connected to the key enabling sectors and questions. Future blogs will go deeper into these questions, one by one.

Whether you are after an evolution or a revolution, it is crucial to build the preconditions for change. In this way, you can utilize the full strength of your organization. Wishing you a winning journey!