How do you lead change when pressure increases and uncertainty grows? Especially in change leadership, a leader’s ability to recognize and regulate their own emotional state directly impacts team performance and decision-making.
Orion Corporation set out to strengthen its leaders’ emotional skills as part of developing its leadership culture. Emergy® LEADER emotional skills training provided practical tools for self-leadership, interaction, and leading change in everyday situations.
Client: Orion Corporation
Training: Emergy® LEADER – Emotional skills training for leaders
Objective: Strengthening emotional skills to support change leadership and strategy execution
Emotional Skills Training to Support Leaders in Times of Change
Nearly 100 of Orion’s leaders participated in Emergy’s LEADER training program over several months. The goal of the program was to strengthen emotional skills and support leaders in navigating change.
Tero Närvänen, Head of Quality Operations, PhD (Pharm.), and Johanna Pakkanen, Director of Supply Chain and Procurement, found the training highly valuable for both self-leadership and practical change leadership.
“The timing of the training was excellent. It supported the ongoing transformation processes,” says Pakkanen.
Emotional Skills Support Leadership Even Under Pressure
The training brought new perspectives on communication, discussing difficult topics, and emotionally intelligent behavior—especially in the context of change leadership.
Pakkanen highlights the holistic nature of the training as particularly valuable:
“One of the best trainings I’ve attended—and I’ve attended many.”
She also emphasizes the importance of micro-recovery and recognizing one’s emotional state before acting:
“I’ve noticed a big impact from pausing to check my emotional state before acting. Sometimes the situation requires a reset before taking the next step.”
Leadership Culture Strengthened and Openness Increased
According to Pakkanen, the biggest impact of the training has been visible in Orion’s leadership culture. It increased courage and willingness to address issues constructively and at the right time.
“It was important that we all went through this together. The training increased openness and courage to talk about things. Before, the focus was on successes—now we also dare to discuss challenges and learn from them together.”
Närvänen applied the learnings in a team situation where a previously unresolved issue was successfully addressed:
“I was able to coach a team member using what I learned in the training. We got to the root causes and resolved the situation.”
Emotional Skills Don’t Stay Theoretical – Impact Is Visible in Everyday Work
Närvänen notes that the practicality and scientific foundation of the training set it apart from many other leadership trainings he has attended:
“The training didn’t remain abstract. Even though we discussed emotions and so-called ‘soft’ topics, everything was approached in a practical, applicable way. Each module provided tools you could immediately put into practice.”
He also found himself paying more attention to genuine presence and listening. One exercise, in particular, stood out—the Power Thank You exercise:
“I shared it with a colleague, and the reaction was extremely powerful. Expressing appreciation and gratitude from the heart is quite exceptional—especially in Finnish culture.”
Emotional Skills Training Strengthens Collaboration and Culture
According to Närvänen, the feedback has been entirely positive:
“Many have said that everyone should go through this training—and it’s true. Culture starts with each of us, and these skills are valuable regardless of role.”
The interactive and flexible nature of the training enabled new kinds of discussions and the development of trust-based relationships:
“We still continue our sparring sessions—the collaboration deepened in a way that wouldn’t have happened without the training.”
Do You Want to Strengthen Leaders’ Emotional Skills and Change Leadership?
Orion’s example shows that emotional skills training does not only develop individuals—it has a broad impact on leadership culture, collaboration, and the ability to lead change.
Emergy’s LEADER emotional skills training helps leaders develop interaction skills, strengthen leadership culture, and lead change more effectively.
Explore the Emergy® LEADER emotional skills training here.
FAQ – Emotional Skills Training for Leaders
What are the benefits of emotional skills training for leaders?
Emotional skills training helps leaders manage themselves and others more effectively, especially in times of change. It strengthens communication, decision-making, and the ability to handle challenging situations constructively.
How does emotional skills training support change leadership?
The training provides practical tools for recognizing emotions, communicating clearly, and engaging with people. This enables leaders to lead change in a more structured and human-centered way.
How does emotional skills training show up in everyday work?
Its impact can be seen in improved dialogue, increased trust, and smoother collaboration. Leaders are better equipped to handle situations calmly and effectively.
