The future of leadership: Claes Håkan Johansson
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 requirements do you see for interim managers' skills right now?
We live in a constantly evolving world that requires us as individuals to keep moving. Right now, the focus is on how we can streamline the company's processes, and I see AI as the most relevant tool. It's about understanding how technology can be turned into practical benefits to drive the business forward.
How do you systematically keep your skills relevant?
To ensure my development, I attend training sessions with partners who know their market and what their customers want. By choosing partners who have their finger on the pulse and always have current topics on the agenda, I know that the knowledge I acquire is directly applicable to my assignments.
What skills are most important to maximize your impact in today's fast-paced world?
The most important skill is to listen to the customer. What is it they actually want help with? You need to be humble in your role, but at the same time have a rock-solid focus on delivery. It is by understanding the customer's needs in depth that you can create meaningful results in a fast-paced organization.
What kind of immersion do you see as most valuable for an interim manager?I believe in in-depth education. To really increase your market value, you need to understand the mechanisms behind the knowledge. That's why I prefer fewer but more comprehensive trainings that add more value than attending many short seminars.
What is your best advice to stay competitive going forward?
Be responsive to developments in your specific industry. Keeping your ears to the ground will ensure your relevance into the future. My advice is to regularly attend trainings organized by those who really understand your industry and the challenges you face.
About Claes-Håkan Johansson
Claes-Håkan has worked as an interim CIO for ten years and has a broad experience from a variety of organizations, large and small, in both the business and public sectors. His previous clients include Skolverket, Tyréns and Nynas, and he currently has an assignment as interim CIO at Rejlers.
Do you want to go deeper in your leadership? As Claes Håkan points out, in-depth training provides much more added value than short seminars. On May 18-22, this year's edition of Interim Management Professional Program will take place in Gothenburg - an academic excellence program designed for those who want to go beyond the surface and develop the excellence that the market demands.
Read more and see the highlights of this year's training here.
