FindCourses Global got the opportunity to talk to Stephen Elop, CEO of Nokia*, to find out his thoughts on good leadership....
I’ve heard you have five leadership principles. Would you like to enlighten these principles a little bit?
Stephen Elop: Here are the five principles that we use. They are not necessarily right for each team, as each team may be in a different situation with different priorities, but they have served us well during this period of transition:
1. Operate openly, honestly, directly and with transparency
2. Willingly engage in respectful debate, and then affirmatively support the decisions that arise
3. Assume the best of intentions in the actions of others
4. Externally, compete respectfully to win. Internally, partner to achieve the best balance of outcomes
5. Model these principles within and beyond our Company, while holding each other accountable to them
How have you changed Nokia?
Stephen Elop: Of course, it is all of the people that need to change Nokia. My job is to create the conditions necessary for everyone to drive change. This includes ensuring that everyone understands our current challenges, our strategy and the priorities that we need to pursue in order to achieve our goals. It also includes identifying the attitudes and behaviors that need to change in order to ensure success. For example, at Nokia, we are very focused on Accountability, Urgency and Empathy.
Which capacities / qualities do you consider most important for a leader?
Stephen Elop: There is no single perfect leader, because you need a team of individuals that together accomplish so much more. Thus, you must first consider the diversity of the team. Given the strengths and weaknesses of the team (and of yourself), what complementary types of leadership are important? That being said, there are a number of attributes that I value highly, including integrity, creativity, urgency and perseverance, the ability to effectively communicate, mastery/expertise, accountability, strength of character, teamwork, etc.
Which are the biggest mistakes one can make as a leader? Are there any specific mistakes you have done and learnt from yourself?
Stephen Elop: One of the mistakes of leaders, and often of companies, is a lack of humility. Greater success is likely if you recognise that there is always something for others to contribute, that the results of a team will always be more durable than the results of an individual, if you are able to listen to consumers, if you are paranoid about the competition, etc.
Which characteristics do you appreciate when it comes to your personnel?
Stephen Elop: Leadership … and thus my answer above is quite the same as here.
Do you have anybody you consider as your role model? Why?
Stephen Elop: I would not highlight a single role model, but there are a lot of people from whom I have learned over the years (former bosses, colleagues and team members). There are also some people I like to quote (e.g. Winston Churchill).
What kind of advice would you give to newly become leaders?
Stephen Elop: Focus on the construction and success of your team, not only on your individual results. Your job is to help them succeed, and if you do that, then you too will be successful.
Author: Eveliina Taipale, FindCourses Finland
*Mr. Elop no longer fills this position. He is now Executive Vice President of Microsoft's Devices & Services business unit.
Browse leadership courses here!