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

What a remarkable learning journey it has been since the launch in May! We are deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in us as we have navigated this path together.

In a world marked by new geopolitical realities, rapid technological advancements, and pressing sustainability challenges, the program has explored ways of thinking and working to optimize the entire end-to-end flow from suppliers to customers.

A warm thank you to each of you for sharing your unique perspectives and experiences, and for your commitment to learning and transforming the practices within your spheres of influence. Continue to question, tackle challenges, and uncover untapped potentials! And most importantly, take care of yourselves and those around you.

We eagerly anticipate the positive impacts you will make as leaders in your fields and warmly welcome you to the KTH Executive alumni family!

We would like to say thank you to all our participants for sharing their unique perspectives throughout our amazing learning journey as well as for their deep commitment to making long-term change happen!

Keep on daring to go further and expand your horizons, share your experience and knowledge with your colleagues generously and last but not least, take care of yourself and those around you. We look forward to seeing all the positive impact you will make as leaders in your fields. Welcome to the KTH Executive alumni family!

A heartfelt thank you  to Anna Olshäll, Richard Meurke, Erika Wirde, Fredrik Knopp Anjou, Fabio Castello , Jens Arleroth, Emil Emil Persson, Simon Algesten, Christer Strömgren, Igor Sakota, Johnny Hultenius and Anna-Karin Gau at Scania for the collaborative and enriching deep dive into the complexities of global supply chains. Our program at KTH Executive School has truly been enhanced by your dedication and expertise.

Our participants explored the intricate journey at Scania in Södertälje from sourcing and manufacturing to delivery. This exploration was paired with cutting-edge research into how supply chains can be differentiated to better match products with the dynamic demands of today’s business landscape.

Discussions delved into the balance between global and local supply chain strategies, considering factors such as market proximity, risk management, and environmental considerations that increasingly favor localization.

The commitment to excellence and continuous improvement displayed by all Scania left us both inspired and grateful. We are proud to learn alongside such dedicated professionals and look forward to further collaboration.

Photos: Scania