Leadership of the future: Iris Lindman
How do interim managers navigate a constantly changing landscape? In the series “The future of leadership”, we talk to industry professionals about the skills needed for the future. The conversations take their cue from the top-level academic training for interim managers to be held in Gothenburg in May 2026, where theory meets practice to equip tomorrow's leaders.
What new requirements do you see for interim managers' skills right now?
“The market is changing rapidly and the interim role is no longer just about ‘holding the fort’. Today, we are expected to drive change projects from day one, which requires deep knowledge in Change Management. I also see a huge need for excellence in digital transformation, cyber security and compliance. Many classic consultants unfortunately lack the weight required to navigate legal compliance in a digital environment or to drive implementations of heavy business systems.”
How do you systematically keep your skills relevant?
“I always do a personal year-end review. I analyze what the market is actually asking for in combination with what I want to learn. Learning should feel enjoyable, so I often start with a short course as a taster. If the topic feels right and relevant to my clients” challenges, I then choose to delve deeper."
What is most important to maximize your impact in today's world?
“Communication and relationships. You need to be able to embed change with everyone involved so that the whole organization understands the status and objectives. As a relationship builder, it's easier to get the team on board with tough decisions. In a modern organization with tight timelines, it is precisely the ability to get people on board that determines whether a new system or process actually flies.”
What kind of immersion do you see as most valuable for an interim manager?
“Short courses provide good tools, but for management-level assignments, training with more academic weight is needed. When you are part of the strategic work, a higher level of understanding of the big picture is required. I recommend a mix: the short courses for the operational toolbox and the longer, in-depth programs to build your strategic authority.”
What is your best advice to stay competitive going forward?
“Review your profile and be honest about what you need to add to be relevant in the future. My advice is also to dare to try as many different industries as possible. It gives you an enormous breadth that benefits the client, while at the same time making the role of interim consultant incredibly fun and developing.”
About Iris Lindman
Iris is a Stockholm-based HR leader with close to ten years of experience in interim assignments as a senior HRBP and HR manager. She has a proven ability to drive business transformation in both growth and change phases, combining a strategic focus on business results with operational support to the organization's leaders. With a particular passion for employer branding and talent management, Iris builds inclusive company cultures that attract and develop the right talent through committed and professional leadership.
Do you want to strengthen your strategic weight and drive digital transformation?
As Iris emphasizes, the market today is looking for leaders who can combine operational speed with deep strategic understanding. On May 18-22, the Interim Management Professional Program in Gothenburg. Give yourself the prerequisites to lead in complexity through an academic cutting-edge education that equips you for the future demands of change management and digital maturity.
