FUTURE OF WORK
”New ways of working do not loom in the future, they are here today”, says Katariina Komulainen Managing Director of Euro Work-Center Osk.
From Saudi Arabia to running a Finnish construction company – One woman’s story Katariina Komulainen is in a unique position as the Managing Director of a large construction company. The male-dominated industry has long rooted stigmas with female leaders. We asked Katariina to give her insight on the experience of leading in a time of change, paving the way for future female leaders. How did a young woman, such as yourself, end up as the head of a construction company? It was a sequence of fortunate events. I moved from Saudi Arabia - where I had worked as an entrepreneur in the software industry – back to Finland, where my networks brought me to where I sit today. Before this, I used to work in the oil and gas industry in Czechia, and did some marketing and recruitment in the Baltics. I was born to a construction oriented entrepreneur family, so entrepreneurship and leadership has always come naturally to me. The “sisu” and tenacity I got as a birth gift help handle the constant problems the construction industry comes with. In the end,
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BUSINESS CLASS | SUMMER 2023
the move to the construction industry seemed very natural. Have you faced challenges based on stereotypes, and how have you solved them? Clearly, there are strong stigmas against young female leaders in particular – especially in relation to competence. I too have encountered the assumption that as a woman I cannot automatically know or understand certain things. In the role of the underdog, there is a daily struggle against these stigmas. The best way to combat prejudice is to let your work speak for itself. Of course, there are also positive stereotypes, such as women’s ethics and responsibility as business leaders.
How do we support women aspiring to become leaders in the construction industry? If no one gets angry, nothing changes. This industry is not for everyone, regardless of gender. You must be able to anticipate, communicate and manage risks very well. An entrepreneurial background and clear role models help to cope with challenges and manage the pressure of management positions. My entrepreneurial family taught me to spot even exceptional solutions, and the ability to solve problems is the most useful skill in the industry. The construction industry is in transition molding traditions with the latest methods Traditional work is in a stage of revolution. What challenges will future work methods bring to the construction industry? The construction industry is in transition due to work practices, legislation and technological development. My own work is built around these changes and challenges. Legislation is slow to wake up to new, trendy working methods, and the general atmosphere in