Redefining Leadership – Inspiring a New Generation of Leaders
On March 7, in celebration of International Women’s Day the BSCC and Cederquist welcomed members to an insightful discussion titled “Redefining Leadership: Inspiring a New Generation of Leaders”, featuring prominent speakers including H.E. Samantha Job CMG MVO, British Ambassador to Sweden; Magdalena Gerger, Chair of the BSCC; Anna Mossberg, Board Professional and Advisor; and Tove Dahlgren, Vice President of Allbright. The event was skilfully moderated by Charlotte Ljung, Founder & CEO of Endbright.
The seminar focused on the evolving dynamics of leadership within the context of political landscape, security, corporate responsibility from a UK-Sweden perspective and a key topic was women in leadership.
Ambassador Samantha Job kicked off the discussion by highlighting the strong motivation within Sweden to foster connections with the UK, emphasizing the critical areas of focus such as business investment, defence, security, and the relationship between the UK and the EU. Ambassador Job noted the significant progress in gender representation on boards in Sweden. However, she stressed that while policies and procedures around gender have improved, cultural shifts within organizations are necessary.
Anna Mossberg shared her journey as a board member of three major Swedish companies, emphasizing the skewed media representation of women in leadership roles. She pointed out that diversity efforts must go beyond mere representation to actual inclusion, urging companies to measure their diversity metrics and take action to foster a culture where all voices are heard.
Magdalena Gerger reinforced the notion that gender diversity drives progress, advocating for an environment where women are not only included but are also active participants in decision-making processes. She called for male champions of inclusion and remarked on the substantial impact inclusion has on productivity within workplaces.
Tove Dahlgren, a long-standing advocate for diversity, reiterated the importance of vocalizing values in the current climate. She highlighted the disappointing statistics regarding female representation in CEO positions within Swedish listed companies. Tove emphasized the need for concrete measures to ensure that women are not just gaining access but are also equipped to thrive and reach their full potential.
The panellists together highlighted the necessity of creating an inclusive culture that promotes engagement and connection rather than alienation, particularly in how men and women experience workplace dynamics. During the Q&A session, the panel discussed practical strategies for achieving gender diversity, including setting clear targets for gender representation on boards, publishing gender pay gap data, and ensuring that senior leadership remains accountable. They also suggested integrating diversity metrics into performance reviews to promote inclusive behaviour at all levels of the organization. The conversation concluded with advice to men on fostering gender equality in the workplace, encouraging them to be active participants in the dialogue, reflect on personal biases, and support equitable practices within their organizations. Overall, the event underscored the collective responsibility of leaders to champion inclusion and diversity, paving the way for a new generation that values diverse perspectives and equitable opportunities in leadership.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to Cederquist for hosting, to our moderator and speakers for sharing their expertise and experience. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event a success. Let’s keep working together towards a more equitable future for all.
