Granditude CEO Joakim Bissmark Talks About Leadership

Bissmark is an entrepreneur in Software Development, AI, Machine Learning, Big Data, Analytics, Gaming, Security, Entrepreneurship, Organisational development, International business development, and Leadership. Experience in a broad range of businesses in small companies as well as larger ones.

Leadership style

It's about me giving a lot of freedom and trust so that other people can develop themselves and reach their goals. You have to dare to trust people. To have an effective organization, everyone must do the right thing in each situation. The company will not move forward if I, as a leader, have to manage all the details.

But just giving freedom does not work, everyone needs to know where we are heading. Leadership is also about setting goals and being clear about expectations. The best results are achieved when we have a good balance between freedom and goals.?

Another important aspect, I think, is "lead by doing" – to be a role model. When others see what I do as a leader and how I act in different situations, I transfer my way of looking at things to others.

I adapt my leadership to the situation. I shift between coaching and supporting. A leadership relationship goes through a few phases: coaching, freedom, supporting.

• Coaching – If I lead a person in a new situation, that person initially needs coaching. Here I am more involved and help develop that person's ability.
• Freedom – After coaching, the next step for me is to take a step back and hand over more responsibility. People will step by step start standing on their own feet. In this phase, I provide a lot of freedom.
• Support – The person might face situations where the challenges exceed their ability. In such a situation I increase my commitment, and I become supportive. I tell them – Don't worry, we will fix this.

Which leader has inspired you?

Steve Jobs. He wasn’t always acting nicely toward people. What inspires me, however, is that he was a visionary and saw things others didn't. He led organizations that pushed the boundaries and disrupted several markets. He was also an expert in marketing and an excellent communicator. I have watched the launch presentation of the iPhone several times. It really inspires me and gives me the chills?every?time I watch it.

How do you create trust as a leader?

I create trust through open communication and I do not like working with control mechanisms. I provide freedom, and I trust in people. I see myself as a coach. I don't get angry when someone makes a mistake. I say that this is something we can learn from and try to avoid from happening a second time. Trust is created when you are secure in your role and feel that you can act independently to solve your work tasks.

How do you contribute to creativity within Granditude?

To innovate is what drives Granditude forward. But to be creative and innovative, you need an environment that promotes creativity and innovation.?

I talk a lot about how we have to be innovative. We constantly need to see opportunities. It is about two areas. First, we need to see and improve things that make us more efficient. I use the expression “make the boat go faster”. The more efficient we are, the more time we can spend within the second area – creating new things.?

And the big reward comes when everyone is involved. I constantly work to create an environment where we have an open dialogue, where everyone reflects and asks “Why?”.

How do you create a workplace where diversity thrives?

Believing in people is one of our fundamental values at Granditude. The important thing is people, dedication, and results – not gender or ethnicity.