Leadership of the future: Marianne Olsson
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?
My assessment is that we need to become even sharper change leaders. It is not enough to just be there; we need to be able to quickly demonstrate the real impact and our contribution to the business. The pressure to deliver visible benefits from day one has never been higher.
How do you systematically keep your skills relevant?
I develop mainly by choosing stimulating assignments and partners where we can grow together. I combine this with my own business intelligence and courses. I also spend a lot of time improving my operational skills in areas such as AI and various cloud services - tools that directly benefit me in my role as a consultant.
What skills are most important to maximize your impact in today's fast-paced world?
It is critical to communicate clearly. It is both about clarifying your own contribution, but above all about constantly demonstrating progress in the business you have entered. The client needs to see and feel that the organization is moving in the right direction.
What kind of immersion do you see as most valuable for an interim manager?
A good tip is to analyze whether there is a gap between what the clients ask for in their specifications and your own profile. Based on that, you should deepen your knowledge to better match the current assignments. Change management is an area that interim managers would greatly benefit from immersing themselves in.
What is your best advice to stay competitive going forward?
Keep an eye on the world in your field and constantly add new knowledge. But don't forget to also network and contribute to the development of others. A fun and educational way to grow is to interview someone in your dream role and learn from their experiences. It provides insights that no curriculum can replace.
About Marianne Olsson
Marianne is an experienced interim manager and consultant with 25 years in the industry, specializing in running projects in digitalization, change and communication. As author of the bestseller The consultancy book she is an established expert who combines strategic insight with practical leadership. Most recently, she led a digital transformation journey for an international insurance company, focusing on creating value through new ways of working in Microsoft 365 and practical use of AI in everyday life.
Do you want to match the specifications of the future? As Marianne points out, it is crucial to identify and fill the gap between today's skills and tomorrow's requirements. On May 18-22, the Interim Management Professional Program in Gothenburg - a training program designed to give you the in-depth knowledge of change management and strategic leadership that the market demands most.
Read more and access the syllabus here.
