“I really enjoyed feeling that I am developing,” says Pernilla Lyberg, Head of Sales and Marketing at Skånetrafiken, who, after 15 months at executive management program Leading Impact, is continuing her executive education by taking the Management and Corporate Governance program in the fall. We interviewed her to get her thoughts and reflections on both programs.
How would you describe Leading Impact?
To keep it short, Leading Impact is a broad leadership program.
What were your expectations?
My hope was that Leading Impact would foster my development as a leader and manager. I have worked in this role for many years, but I felt that if I could be even more secure in my role, this would in turn make me into a better leader and manager to my employees and a better asset to Skånetrafiken at large.
And do you feel that you have developed in your role as a leader?
Yes, absolutely! In addition to leadership topics, I have also learned more about business development models and techniques, strategies and structures, which also makes me better able to contribute to substantial growth for Skånetrafiken.
Has the program lived up to your expectations?
I had many high expectations heading into the program, and they were more than met!
Please tell us about the program’s structure
The program’s structure and how it started, which involved initially focusing on yourself, who you are, how you want to lead and how you want to be led, was a great way to start off the program
Then, we took a deep dive into everything from business intelligence and business model development to scenario planning, and we got to learn from the experience of many interesting lecturers on topics like financial control and strategy.
For the last three modules, we got to choose a specialization, and I chose the Leading Change track. Both Ulf Johansson and Pontus Bodelsson, the program directors, contributed many theories and shared their own experiences. In addition, guest lecturers contributed with their experience in change management. These included mistakes, lessons learned and success stories. I’ve personally been involved in managing change but I’ve also been affected by change, so I could relate to both sides. As a result, Leading Change became a way for me to somehow close the circle in terms of who I am and why. I know how I want to lead change and why.
What value has Leading Impact had for you?
Most importantly, I’ve reflected a lot over the course of the program, and I will continue doing that. I will use the various models and theories I learned to be effective in business development and the prioritization of operations, but my strengthened insight into who I am, how I want to be led and how I want to lead also plays an important role.
Do you think that Leading Impact was clearly linked to Skånetrafiken?
We received both articles and other literature to read in advance of each of the program’s modules. We also received a homework assignment in which we were to relate what we had read to our own organization. In addition, we worked on the case we brought from our own business throughout the entire course of the program. This was useful and educational, and I felt that all of this enabled us to transfer the learnings to our own organization in a well-founded and successful manner.
Could you name some specific changes as a result of the program?
Most noteworthy is that the program changed me. Pernilla 2.0 is here now. I feel more secure in my role, and I have a whole series of business models and a large dose of knowledge involving business intelligence and financial control to bring to the table, which could be even more in-demand in this period in the wake of Covid.
Please tell us more about your impact challenge and your impact team
Over the course of the program, we worked on a case from our own organization. It was extremely valuable to bring up challenges and share insights with the other participants and mentors. We also created an impact team in our own organization to accelerate work on this case. My impact challenge, digital retail, was initially supposed to have been developed by our digital development team, but when Covid came and there was a shortage of development time from our digital team, I had to revise my impact challenge so that it could be completed without digital development. It was not what I had in mind at the start, but I’m glad that I was able to complete my impact challenge because of the revision to the plan.
You’re starting with the EFL Management and Corporate Governance program in the fall. What made you choose that program?
During the 15 months I was in Leading Impact, I felt it was difficult to find a work-life-study balance on many occasions, but I really enjoyed feeling that I’m developing. When we had our final session with the Leading Impact group and Program Director Thomas Kalling in January this year, I felt relieved at first, but after a while I began to experience a feeling of emptiness and a desire to continue studying. I had heard very good things about the Management and Corporate Governance program (Styrelseprogrammet) and read that those who took the program primarily felt that they honed their skills in senior management and boards of directors. This is why I chose the program starting in the fall.
What do you hope to develop?
At Skånetrafiken, I’m a member of various steering committees, and I hope and believe that the Management and Corporate Governance program will foster my development as a part of Skånetrafiken’s senior management team and various steering committees. I also hope to have something of value to contribute in future board posts. All of the program’s parts seem interesting, but I am particularly looking forward to learning more about M&A and corporate governance.
READ MORE:
- Leading Impact – Executive Management & Leadership Program
- EFL Management and Corporate Governance program