Supreme Commander Micael Bydén is Leader of the Year 2021

“Congratulations! You are now the Leader of the Year! How do you feel?”

“It feels great! I’m not used to winning prizes, and in this case, I’ve won it together with the entire organisation that stands behind me”, says Supreme Commander Micael Bydén.

When asked what characterises good leadership, Micael Bydén says that it is not as complex as it sounds. Difficult matters and incidents may always occur, however, and they have to be solved. What is most important is to have an interest in people, to be able to listen and see things from other people’s perspective before making decisions.

“Relationships with other people interest me and I’m attentive, I try to listen and understand. I’m a team player at heart. I need co-workers”, says Micael Bydén.

In order to grow as a leader, Micael Bydén says that he tries to visit the various parts of the organisation regularly and meet people. He wants to understand how employees and volunteers perform their duties in different parts of the Armed Forces.

”I’m really happy for this prize and that the Swedish Armed Forces is given the opportunity to appear in this context. But it probably wouldn’t have happened unless the organisation had performed so well. As head, I have my share of responsibility, but I couldn’t do it without my co-workers in the entire organisation. Everything is connected”, Micael Bydén concludes.

The Supreme Commander’s top three pieces of advice to junior heads in the Armed Forces:

• Take care of the troop. Because it is together that we reach the best results.
• Understand the importance of being a role model. That is how you build a team and is inclusive.
• Create and maintain good relationships. They may prove to be vital in critical situations.