Executive Training Strengthens Collaboration and Leadership at Promeco
Promeco invests in developing its leadership team through a ten-month training program focused on deep leadership principles and fostering team spirit. Production Unit Directors Petri Koski and Pasi Vanhatalo share how the training has reshaped their perspectives and introduced new approaches to leadership.
A Former Officer as Trainer
The training is led by Colonel (Ret.) and PhD in Education, Vesa Nissinen, whose deep leadership model has been used in the Finnish Defence Forces’ leadership training. Koski and Vanhatalo praise Nissinen’s clear and determined coaching approach.
Koski describes Nissinen’s approach as determined but also appreciates his soft values and ability to listen. Vanhatalo values the trainer’s direct and clear feedback: “His way of guiding and giving direct feedback helps to focus on the essentials and challenges one to think critically about their own actions.”
Employee Feedback as a Compass
A central aspect of the training is employee feedback on their leaders. Employees complete surveys evaluating leadership from various perspectives. Their insights help identify strengths and areas requiring fine-tuning.
Feedback is initially reviewed in small groups, where leaders can openly and constructively discuss observations. Subsequently, each leader creates a personal plan for improving their leadership skills.
Koski and Vanhatalo describe the training as refreshing and different from previous experiences. They particularly value the openness with which employees can share their views on leadership. Both have found validation for their own ideas.
“A leader must be ready to receive feedback. It is a valuable tool that has reinforced my understanding of what kind of leader I am and where I can still improve,” says Koski.
Vanhatalo believes regular training is essential for leaders: “Training shakes up a leader’s mindset and methods. It provides an opportunity to reflect on how one wants to grow and improve their work.”
Expectations for spring 2025
The spring sessions will focus on clarifying shared objectives and ensuring the leadership team’s work aligns with organisational goals. Feedback collected from the leadership team will be used to evaluate the group’s collective performance. Koski and Vanhatalo eagerly anticipate the upcoming training sessions as opportunities to strengthen collaboration across units and teams.
“It’s crucial that we all work towards the same goals and deepen our cooperation. Breaking down objectives into clear actions helps everyone understand their role in achieving shared success,” Vanhatalo explains.
Koski and Vanhatalo see the training as an opportunity for leaders to enhance their leadership skills and strengthen the organisation’s sense of community. The aim is to bring clarity to the organisation’s overall operations.
“This training not only improves the leadership team’s performance but also has a ripple effect throughout the organisation: better leadership translates into stronger collaboration and achieving goals in daily operations,” Koski concludes.