From Gotland to Gothenburg: The First Leap
As a young woman, I took the courageous leap to leave my home village on the island of Gotland in Sweden and move to the entirely new city of Gothenburg on the Swedish west coast. That initial day presented immediate challenges: figuring out how to pay for tram rides and locating the gathering spot for all incoming engineering students. Never could I have imagined that this first step would eventually lead to a career with Volvo Group that would transport my family and me across multiple continents—from the United States to China, and now to India.
The Emotional Arc of Transition
Change often appears inspiring in retrospect, and we frequently draw motivation from others' experiences. However, living through that same transformation can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even isolating. I have experienced moments of doubt, questioning whether I made the correct decisions, particularly during periods when my family and I were adjusting to unfamiliar environments. Yet, these challenging instances ultimately forged resilience.
I began to identify consistent patterns in every transition. The initial phase typically involves a blend of emotions: excitement and anticipation, mixed with apprehension about the unknown. This is followed by a stage of doubt, hesitation, and frustration over setbacks and misunderstandings. Gradually, understanding, acceptance, and appreciation for the new circumstances emerge. Recognizing these emotions as integral parts of the process enabled me to support not only myself but also my family and teams.
Leadership Through Uncertainty
I have learned that most individuals do not resist change itself; they resist the uncertainty that accompanies it. Often, people do not voice their genuine concerns. As leaders, our responsibility is to provide clarity and compassion during these uncertain times, while also instilling confidence. Confidence that even if the future differs from today, we will emerge wiser, more resilient, and somewhat humbler. Change will perpetually be part of the journey, but so will personal growth—if we permit ourselves to fully embrace it.
Global Teams and Cultural Recalibration
Leading global teams has demonstrated that diversity extends beyond mere representation; it involves learning to perceive through another's perspective. I have participated in meetings where my direct Swedish communication style was perceived as overly blunt, and others where the same style, tempered with inclusiveness and careful phrasing, was interpreted as indecisive. Each situation required recalibration—not to conform or fundamentally alter myself, but to communicate more effectively.
It is humbling to realize that leadership does not manifest identically across different cultures. What remains constant, however, is intent: the desire to connect, build trust, improve processes, and progress collectively.
Building Common Ground Across Borders
Many of our engineering teams undergo similar transformations when collaborating globally. We all carry our company histories, cultural backgrounds, and personal and professional experiences that shape our identities and behaviors. Occasionally, assumptions we take for granted are challenged by teams with different experiences and working methods. In my experience, establishing common ground demands significant dedication and commitment from the entire team. However, with clear objectives, fostering new relationships, creating platforms for understanding, and maintaining persistence, opportunities begin to surface. Ultimately, diverse teams achieve more because they possess a broader spectrum of experience, competence, and best practices to draw upon.
Weaving Differences Into Strength
Global assignments have taught me that leadership is less about enforcing a uniform working method and more about weaving our differences into a stronger, more cohesive whole. Reflecting on my younger self, embarking on that move to the big city with all its opportunities and obstacles, I might simply advise: "There is a vast amount of change awaiting you, but you will come to relish every part of it. Fully embrace change for your own growth and the growth of those around you."
