Leading Through Geopolitical Uncertainty: Security as a Shared Responsibility
Leading Through Geopolitical Uncertainty: Security as a Shared Responsibility
At our recent Alumni Executive Summit in Stockholm, panellist Lieutenant General Thomas Nilsson, Director of Swedish Military Intelligence and Security Service, brought an unflinching view of the geopolitical landscape. The line between peace and conflict grows increasingly blurred. The current geopolitical climate—defined by hybrid threats, rapid militarisation, and a return to hard power—demands a broader, more inclusive understanding of leadership. One that is strategic, civic-minded, and deeply human.
His call to business leaders is clear and urgent: “You are the muscle of society.”
From supply chains to digital infrastructure, the private sector plays a central role in modern defence. Hybrid warfare brings cyberattacks, disinformation, and sabotage. Traditional silos between sectors must dissolve. Total defence, Lieutenant General Nilsson argues, is not just the state’s job. It is a collective endeavour.
“Business leaders are the muscle of society. Total defence isn’t just about government—it’s about all of us.”
The evolving role of leadership
In this hybrid world, leadership is not just about economic performance. It’s about national contribution. Leaders must cultivate organisational agility to prepare for disruption. They also need moral clarity to navigate uncertainty. The capacity to steady teams, to show up where it’s hardest, and to lead by example—even symbolically—is now strategic.
Leadership is presence
In times of crisis, visibility is more than optics—it’s reassurance. It sends the message that leaders are not removed from the struggle but are embedded within it.
Lieutenant General Nilsson sees hope, even as the situation remains urgent. A rising willingness among citizens and companies to contribute. An uptick in civic engagement, conscription, and public interest in defence roles. Other countries, he notes, “envy us for this baseline of engagement.”
These times call for a leadership mindset that is resilient, responsible, and resolutely engaged. It’s no longer enough to be informed. Leaders must be involved. The organisations that thrive in this security paradigm will be those led by individuals who recognise their civic duty as clearly as their commercial one.
The geopolitical landscape is uncertain. The imperative, however, is clear: leadership must rise to meet it—together, visibly, and decisively.
Our panel consisted of:
Fredrik Persson
President of BusinessEurope and a leading voice on European competitiveness.
Hélène Barnekow
Non‑executive board professional and Partner at leadership consulting firm, Gaia Leadership.
Martin Lundqvist
CEO of Arundo Analytics, a company specialising in AI-driven analytics solutions.
Thomas Nilsson
Lieutenant General Thomas Nilsson leads Sweden's military intelligence and security operations.
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