It is in times of transformation that leadership really matters – bringing us together and moving us forward.

In the words of Atlas Copco Industrial Technique: While technology continues to transform business, future-proofing people has never been more business-critical. A heartfelt thank you to the team for hosting us.

Gianpiero Petriglieri, Associate Professor at INSEAD, shared reflections from his research on how care is central to leadership. To be moved and to act differently, we first need to feel that a leader truly cares about us, our concerns, and our aspirations.

One key insight that resonated deeply:
It’s not uncertainty that challenges us in times of change, it’s the anxiety it creates.

A metaphor that stuck: the faster you go, the longer the trajectory required to make a turn. If you want to change direction at speed, you need to slow down and to make space.

And perhaps the most important takeaway:
In transformation, learning isn’t a side note – it’s the main act.

Once again, a warm thank you to the team at Atlas Copco for creating the space for such meaningful exchange.

A sincere thank you to the entire team at Volvo Construction Equipment in Braås for generously sharing your insights and experiences.

With a focus on effective and efficient end-to-end flows, we learned from your work in producing the world’s leading articulated haulers — as well as your world-class approach to sustainability.

We were particularly impressed by:
🔹 The strong team spirit, and how innovation and entrepreneurship are actively nurtured
🔹 How learning and development are embedded at the core of the business – symbolized not least by a PhD in welding
🔹 The positive dynamic of keeping R&D and production co-located
🔹 A long-standing management tradition and a truly human-centered approach
🔹 All of it paired with bold strategy-making and determined execution

Thank you once again for the inspiration – and for leading by example!

How do you increase productivity, strengthen engagement and retention, foster customer satisfaction, drive innovation, growth and adaptability – all while aligning leaders with your company’s vision and values?

Five years ago, Sigma Industry East North teamed up with us with the aim to achieve exactly that.

We are proud to have been part of their remarkable journey:
☑️ Designing leadership development programs for current and future leaders
☑️ Arranging international learning journeys to world-renowned universities and companies in Boston and London
☑️ Even climbing mountains together – literally – in Alagna, at the foot of Monte Rosa in Italy

The results speak for themselves. Sigma Industry has been recognized multiple times as one of Sweden’s “Best Managed Companies” and “Best Employers.”

We warmly congratulate Sigma Industry on this fantastic achievement – and we are grateful to have walked (and climbed!) alongside them on the way.

Book pick: Material World, by Ed Conway – a standout from our recommended reading list for participants in our programs.

Material World is an eye-opening exploration of the raw materials that quietly power the global economy, and how deeply they shape our industries, lives, and future.

Conway focuses on six essential materials:

• Sand, used in everything from glass and concrete to silicon chips
• Salt, crucial to chemical industries, food systems, and preservation
• Iron, the foundation of modern infrastructure
• Copper, powering global electrification and connectivity
• Oil, still central to energy, mobility, and plastics
• Lithium, the lifeblood of the energy transition and battery technology

Together, these materials form the invisible scaffolding of the industrial world, and Conway’s reporting reveals just how interconnected, fragile, and geopolitically charged their supply chains have become.

For industrial leaders in sectors like mining, manufacturing, and global supply chains, Material World provides both context and challenge: how well do we truly understand the materials our businesses rely on? And how resilient are the systems behind them?

Highly readable, deeply researched, and often surprising – it’s the kind of book that reframes how we see the world.

Did you know the word “salary” comes from the high value of salt?

Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck and KTH alumna, has this week been named KTH’s Alumna of the Year. Her message to future leaders? “Believe in yourself. You can contribute.”

With over 100,000 employees and more than 40 production sites worldwide under her leadership, she now heads the world’s largest truck manufacturer at a time of rapid transition.

Karin Rådström is driving both performance and transformation – scaling innovation, tackling climate challenges, and modernizing industrial operations on a global scale. As she puts it: “We’re pressing the brakes and the accelerator at the same time.”

Her journey began at Scania – “the first company to offer me a job”- where she spent 16 years, rising to senior executive roles and becoming the first woman from Scania’s ranks to join the global executive team. In 2021, she moved on to lead Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and just three years later she took the top job at Daimler Truck.

Her leadership style is grounded in discipline, teamwork, and trust – values she developed both during her time at KTH and as a national team rower. She emphasizes clear direction, the importance of recovery, and surrounding yourself with great people.

Karin Rådström credits KTH with laying the foundation for her career – and for meeting her husband.

We proudly celebrate the conclusion of the KTH Executive Program in Industrial Management Autumn 2024 – a journey that challenged us to think differently, lead boldly, and navigate the dual challenge of exploring new business opportunities while exploiting existing strengths in today’s evolving business environment.
As we wrapped up the program, we celebrated with a memorable Diploma Ceremony. One highlight? A stunning rendition of Solo Mio by Marco Castaldo at Volvo Cars, accompanied by co-program-director Magnus Sävenäs. Here’s a small taste of that unforgettable moment.

To you participants: we know you’ll keep pushing boundaries and continuing to learn. Thank you for your dedication and the energy you brought into every session.

🚀 We’re already next week welcoming a new international cohort.

🗓️ The Autumn program kicks off on November 11 – if you’re thinking about joining the many great companies already on board, now is the time.

🎓 Keep learning! Keep leading!

The need for robust management training has perhaps never been more critical. We are living in turbulent times; not only are technology and markets in flux, but vast geopolitical shifts are creating layers of complexity and division worldwide. This heightened level of uncertainty makes it essential for leaders in global industrial companies to enhance their capabilities to navigate effectively.

🌟 Why Invest in Comprehensive Programs?

1. Cultivate Adaptive & Resilient Leaders: Today’s leaders must be both adaptable and visionary, equipped to manage rapid technological changes as well as intricate geopolitical and regulatory environments. Comprehensive learning programs develop these critical capabilities, preparing leaders to guide their organizations with confidence and strategic insight through these uncertain times.

2. Drive Personal and Organizational Growth: Developing leadership skills not only translates into personal growth but also advances the entire organization. Comprehensive learning significantly enhances strategic thinking and operational efficiency, which are vital for thriving in today’s complex business landscape.

3. Enhance Decision-Making Abilities: Addressing current challenges demands a solid grounding in theory paired with practical knowledge. Comprehensive programs provide modern frameworks and insights that refine decision-making skills, crucial for effective leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

4. Strengthen Professional Development and Retention: Investing in development fosters career growth and satisfaction, reducing turnover and preparing managers for greater responsibilities. This commitment is particularly valuable in attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders, who are navigating a significantly more fragmented global scenario.

💡 A Commitment to Leadership Excellence

Embarking on comprehensive learning is more than an educational journey—it’s a transformation that equips management to lead with vision, strategy, and resilience. As both business and global landscapes continue to evolve, the value of such an education remains an enduring advantage.

The role of a leader becomes even more crucial in these times of extreme global uncertainty. We asked KTH Adjunct Professor in Sustainable Leadership and Systematic Improvement, Bengt Savén, what to highlight as a leader.

“I’ve synthesized a set of motivational drivers that are particularly pertinent now,” Professor Savén argues. “These drivers not only help maintain resilience and motivation at work but also continue to foster a culture of continuous improvement and learning.”

Focus on Key Motivational Drivers

☑️ Certainty and Predictability: Enhancing the predictability of processes at work and maintaining clear structures provide a crucial foundation of certainty during uncertain times. By reinforcing stable procedures and ways of working, leaders can alleviate anxiety and help team members focus.

☑️ Belonging: Ensuring that everyone feels they are an integral part of the team as well as the organization is vital. Fostering a strong sense of community and solidarity is particularly critical in turbulent times, as it enhances cooperation and collective resilience.

☑️ Highlighting Positive Developments and Job Satisfaction: Cultivating a workplace where engagement and fulfillment are prioritized naturally elevates productivity and morale. This not only aids in navigating challenging periods but may also extend its benefits beyond the workplace.

☑️ Purpose: Emphasizing the bigger picture and connecting individuals to broader organizational and societal goals provides a powerful source of motivation. Understanding how one’s efforts contribute to larger objectives helps maintain focus and drive, even in the face of adversity.

As a leader, you have the potential to be a positive role model. By focusing on these key drivers, you can not only manage the current turmoil but also prepare your teams for future uncertainties. Let’s make it a priority to integrate these practices into our leadership to effectively navigate these turbulent times.

In the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2025, KTH has not only upheld but also strengthened its position as a leader in academia:
🔹 Top 10 in Europe within Engineering and the highest ranked university in the Nordics.
🔹 Globally rated 37th in Engineering, standing shoulder to shoulder with The Johns Hopkins University.
🔹 Leading the Nordic region in the overall rankings among technical universities.
For detailed rankings, see: https://lnkd.in/daBtJTAt.

As the winter holiday season approaches, we at KTH Executive School are delighted to share a curated selection of thought-provoking reads for your reflection and learning.

This year, we are proud to have concluded the first round of the new Operations & Supply Chain Management Program, alongside the continued success of the highly acclaimed Executive Program with its transformative agenda. Our alumni network continues to grow, enriched by engaging activities and meaningful connections.

We are excited to share this journey with you and look forward to an inspiring new year ahead.

Recommended books

Supremacy
Authored by Parmy Olson, this book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the race to dominate artificial intelligence, focusing on the ambitions and pressures faced by entrepreneurs in this transformative field.
See here

Growth: A Reckoning
Daniel Susskind offers a comprehensive analysis of economic growth, challenging traditional perspectives and proposing new frameworks for understanding and fostering growth in the modern economy.
See here

The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century
John Kay examines the evolution of corporations, critiquing outdated business theories and advocating for a redefinition of corporate purpose in today’s knowledge economy.
See here

The Longevity Imperative
Andrew Scott explores the societal and economic implications of increased longevity, offering insights into building a better society for healthier, longer lives.
See here

Tribal
Michael Morris delves into the cultural instincts that divide and unite us, providing a nuanced understanding of human behavior that is essential for effective leadership and collaboration.
See here

Material World
Ed Conway explores the six raw materials — sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium — that shape modern civilization, offering insights into their role in global supply chains, geopolitics, and sustainability.
See here