Although National Conciliator of Finland Minna Helle is not in charge of a hierarchical organization, she still applies a range of leadership skills in her work.
”I am in charge of conciliation in labor disputes, which are often highly conflicted negotiations where the stakes are high. My entire career has been about negotiations. It is very important to be able to see issues from different perspectives. It makes things seem different and smoothens over ideological differences,” Minna Helle says.
Another important skill is listening
”Listening is the key to everything. It is impossible to move forward if you only love to listen to your own voice and ideas. However, listening is not always about doing what the other person says. The goal is to find something to hold on to.”
She points out that it is also important to 'listen between the lines', to hear what is not being said. Sometimes that can be more important than what is being said.
You also need to be consistent and firm
”A conciliator needs to have two faces – a gentle, listening face and a firm, assertive face. The two sides support each other: it is easier to be firm if you listen first.”
Before taking up her current post at the beginning of this year, Minna Helle was the Director of Negotiations and Social Policy at the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK). Her career history consists of a number of labor market organizations. In addition to STTK, her previous employers include the Finnish Pension Alliance (TELA), the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals in Finland (Tehy), the Union of Journalists in Finland (UJF), and the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava). Ms Helle does not see a deep ideological gap between her past and the National Conciliator's Office.
”I studied labor law and initially wanted to work for a labor market organization. I could have ended up on either side,” she says.
Only motivated employees get results
The gap between work and capital has also been narrowed by the changes in working life during Ms Helle's career over the last two decades. She can see that working life has changed for the better, but it has also become more demanding.
”Work is more independent today, it is more fulfilling, and there is greater equality and tolerance. But it is also much harder to achieve good or excellent results. In the past, results could be improved by increasing efficiency – today it is about people's motivation levels and creativity in terms of innovations.”
Ms Helle refers to a study showing that employee motivation and well-being can increase performance ten-fold compared to routine performance. This is why she believes that rather than taking an oppositional approach, we should aim for win-win agreements with benefits for both parties in the labor market negotiations.
”That is what enabled me to take on this position and will help me to remain neutral and work for both parties.”
However, win-win agreements are easier in theory than in practice. At the moment, it seems that the labor market is all about losing and not winning.
”Agreements require trust, a mutual feeling of being in the same boat. Lack of trust is a huge problem. Another problem is that the parties seem unable to be able to see the good that could result from painful agreements in the long run.”
New manager wanted training
In 2006, Minna Helle made her first move from a position of advisor to management, when, aged 34, she was appointed Director for Employment Relations and Social Policy at Tehy.
”At the time, a management role was entirely new to me, although I had studied the topic and prepared for it. I was also very young to be leading a labor market organization. I felt that I needed both training and sparring,” she says, thinking back.
Training had to wait, however, as the new labor market leader was faced with potential industrial action in the autumn of 2007, with 16,000 nurses threatening mass resignation. She did not have time for the Aalto JOKO® program until the following year.
”I wanted training with a focus on strategy and goal-oriented management – I was determined to make a difference in my organization and Finnish labor market policy. I also wanted to use the program to meet people from other industries and different sides, to broaden my horizons,” Minna Helle says.
Organizations also need a strategy
According to her, strategic thinking is not restricted to corporations.
”When protecting your interests, it is vital to have a clear vision of your objective and direction. Working, as I was then, in a labor market organization made it particularly important to look further into the future when setting targets. It is not enough to consider the conditions of those in the labor force at the moment, you also need to take account of future generations.”
Most of Minna Helle's fellow participants worked in business, but some were in the public sector and NGO's.
”I met interesting, like-minded people who were keen to develop and improve at work. I still have these contacts.”
It is safe to say, then, that the newly appointed manager fulfilled her goals. In addition, she gained self-knowledge and the ability to analyze her own practices.
”I learned what I am like as a leader, and where my blind spots are. Sometimes it is difficult to understand that not everyone is like you, that they think and act differently. Still, it is up to a manager to enable everyone to perform in the best possible way.”
Minna Helle has participated in AaltoJOKO® program, which is the leading management training program in Finland, combining scientific knowledge with solid practicality. Read more about the program.