Esko Aho on Leading with clarity and courage in uncertain times
At the Future Leaders event, former Prime Minister and business advisor Esko Aho shared lessons on leadership, crisis resilience, and the importance of looking beyond business boundaries.
Esko Aho, former Prime Minister of Finland and a prominent figure in both politics and business, joined our Future Leaders event to inspire and challenge a new generation of leaders. His presence alone was a reminder that long-term leadership requires not just vision, but resilience, something Aho knows deeply from his years in government and later at Nokia during one of its most turbulent eras.
Simplicity over strategy decks
One of Aho’s most powerful messages was this: “Don’t focus too much on a heavy strategy, focus on making it clear.”
Rather than obsessing over long strategy documents, he encouraged leaders to keep things simple: one page, one or few main messages. Aho emphasized the value of conceptualizing your direction, making it crystal clear to everyone what the organization is about, and then moving quickly into action. Strategy, in his view, should not slow you down, but rather sharpen your ability to act.
Zoom out: From business to society
Aho warned against the risk of tunnel vision. “We are more dependent on society and global developments than ever before,” he said. Leaders, especially in business, must widen their perspective and look beyond their immediate markets. Whether it's the aging population in Finland or global shifts in technology and geopolitics, understanding the broader societal forces is no longer optional, it’s essential.
Against the noise: Rediscovering the long view
In an era dominated by social media noise, breaking news, and the demand for instant reactions, Aho encouraged the room to “look more to the future, and also to history.” The constant barrage of messages leaves little room for strategic thinking or reflection. But great leadership, he argued, requires stepping out of the noise and daring to think long-term. It means not only envisioning future scenarios but also learning from the past to lead with wisdom and foresight.
Finland’s tough moment and quiet strength
While acknowledging that Finland is in a difficult place, with slow growth and an aging population, Aho reminded the audience that this is not the first time Finland has faced difficult times. “We have seen many crises before. And we have survived.” His message wasn’t one of false optimism but of earned confidence. He believes in the Finnish people and their ability to adapt, persist, and lead with integrity.
A leader who’s lived it
Esko Aho’s perspective is not theoretical. He led Finland through a deep economic recession in the early 1990s, navigated EU integration, and later worked in senior leadership at Nokia. His ability to stay grounded while thinking systemically made his words hit home for every future leader in the room.
As our Future Leaders prepare to shape what’s next, Esko Aho’s insights will stay with us:
- Think simply
- Act boldly
- Zoom out
- And remember: resilience is built in hard times, not easy ones.
Thank you, Esko Aho, for sparring and inspiring the next generation.
You can order his books here:
