Sanna Turesson

It has long been acknowledged that across a leader’s career, there are some fundamental skills that will have helped them get them to where they are. One of those skills is undoubtedly listening. However, recent research suggests that the very role of leadership itself can make it difficult for those in senior positions to exercise this skill. In this article, Stuart Schofield (Client Director) looks at the very human impulses and biases that get in the way of listening and what leaders can do to help minimise these biases.

In 1945, Haldor Topsøe raised concerns in Ingeniøren (The Engineer, a Danish engineering and technology publication) and referred to it as »a bleak chapter« in the history of engineering leadership. This marked the beginning of a revolution that, 30 years later, manifested itself as DIEU – and today lives on as Mannaz. Mannaz, an international training and consultancy company owned by IDA, has, throughout the years, contributed to transforming engineers into competent leaders. In 2025, the company celebrates its 50th anniversary. We spoke with CEO Marianne Egelund Siig about the journey from spreadsheet-based further education to leadership programmes shaped by empathy, sustainability, and human insight.

Only when we team up and collaborate, do we benefit from the true wisdom of the community. Strategy execution is not just a stand-alone rollout project – it is a collaborative effort that cultivates sustained growth and shared ownership.