Leadership of the future: Bengt Skörelid
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 cutting-edge academic training for interim managers to be held in Gothenburg in May, where theory meets practice to equip tomorrow's leaders.
What requirements do you see for interim managers' skills right now?
“The ability to lead in the face of extreme uncertainty and rapid change is the single most important skill today. It places enormous demands on mastering both strategic and operational work simultaneously. In practice, this requires solid experience, and if you don't have it yourself, you need to make sure you have close access to a mentor who does.”
How do you systematically keep your skills relevant?
“I work with deliberate learning that is always linked to the specific mission. Since the expectation is to be operational from day one, I always do my homework properly. I read up to understand what I have in my backpack and what I need to add - whether it's pure knowledge or whether I need to bring in expertise from my network.”
What skills are most important to maximize your impact in today's fast-paced world?
“You need to be able to build a lot of trust in a short time. You do this by being very present, communicative and clear. There are no shortcuts here; your ability to be seen and heard in the organization determines how quickly you can start delivering meaningful results.”
What kind of immersion do you see as most valuable for an interim manager?
“Actually, there are no shortcuts to in-depth knowledge - it is synonymous with experience. It goes back to being able to deal with complexity and uncertainty. The most valuable training is therefore the one that helps you structure your experience so that you can use it effectively in each new situation.”
What is your best advice to stay competitive going forward?
“Do a good job from day one and continue to do so every day throughout the assignment. But my most important advice is about integrity: if you notice that the conditions for doing a good job are missing, be clear about your suggestions for improvement. Not being listened to? Step down. Your relevance is based on the fact that you can actually make a difference.”
About Bengt Skörelid
With over 10 years of experience as an interim leader, Bengt is a strategic and operational powerhouse in Supply Chain and Change Management. His most recent assignment was as Director Supply Chain in an extensive turnaround, where his ability to navigate both ups and downs was put to the test. Bengt combines a deep holistic view with practical expertise in purchasing, production and distribution, making him a natural leader for the entire supply chain. He is a curious and hands-on person who creates results by engaging both the organization and individuals, whether it is about growth or tough transitions.
Do you want to sharpen your ability to lead in uncertainty?
As Bengt emphasizes, today's mission places high demands on both strategic and operational experience. On May 18-22, the Interim Management Professional Program in Gothenburg. A program designed to give you the academic tools and framework needed to step in with even greater confidence and deliver from day one.
