Pivot Points podcast
Leading through geopolitical chaos: lessons from the Nordics with CEO at ATEA, Steinar Sønsteby
Episode 37
In this episode, Atea CEO Steinar Sønsteby joins us in Oslo to unpack how the Nordics are navigating geopolitical instability, rapid technological change, and the rise of AI. From trust-led culture and decentralized decision-making to the region’s unique energy and healthcare strengths, Steinar shares a practical lens on how leaders can turn turbulence into long-term advantage.
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It’s really efficient to run something when there is trust. It’s an underestimated quality, and I don’t feel a lot of companies have that trust in their employees.
Steinar Sønsteby CEO, Atea
The Nordics stand at a defining crossroads.
Geopolitical instability, energy security concerns, AI driven disruption, and intensifying global competition continue to threaten the status quo.
The real question is not whether change is coming – that much is certain. It’s how Nordic leaders will shape it. At the forefront of this transformation is a CEO we’ve featured previously on Pivot points, ATEA’s Steinar Sønsteby.
He joins Brandpie’s CEO of the EMEIA region, Will Bosanko, for a special takeover episode of the show, recorded live in the heart of Oslo, Norway.
When something becomes unclear or uncertain, you have to communicate. So as a leader, I’m communicating now more than ever
Steinar Sønsteby CEO, Atea
You will learn:
- How the Nordics turned small populations and harsh geography into a strategic advantage in energy, technology, and healthcare.
- Why trust given upfront is a core operating system for Nordic organizations.
- How Atea’s CEO thinks about delegation, culture, and mistakes to build a 9,000-person, high-performing organization.
- Practical ways to lead through geopolitical instability.
- Why AI is pivotal for regions and sectors facing labor shortages.
- How to think about brand and reputation as an outcome of internal culture and employees’ actions.
AI will absolutely change the way we live, work and play, and if we use it correctly, it is the solution to the ‘less hands on deck’ issue.
Steinar Sønsteby CEO, Atea
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