Antti Pennanen's playbook for success: Building teams that think for themselves
When Antti Pennanen, the head coach of Finland’s national ice hockey team (Leijonat), walked into the Nordic Listed Leaders (NLL) event, attendees might have expected stories of locker-room strategies and game-day nerves. Instead, they encountered a masterclass in leadership about soft and hard leadership, coaching responsibility, and creating a space for making decisions.
Pennanen, who has spent over two decades climbing the coaching ranks, from youth leagues to the helm of one of the most successful hockey teams in the world, offered a refreshing perspective on leadership. His philosophy? True leaders create environments where individuals think for themselves, take ownership, and continuously evolve.
The anatomy of high-performing teams
Pennanen challenges a common misconception when leading at the top, especially in elite sports: leadership isn’t about giving orders—it’s about creating spaces where others can excel. “In high-performing teams,” he explained, “members are self-orienting and self-thinking. They don’t wait for instructions; they anticipate, adapt, and act. The top performers are usually the best at thinking for themselves, and when they do, they can make miracles.”
This autonomy isn’t just a motivational tactic; it’s a structural necessity. When responsibility resides where it belongs—with the individual—decision-making becomes faster and more effective. Hierarchical decision-making, Pennanen warned, is slow and stifling.
But autonomy comes with a caveat. “Responsibility is closely tied to development,” he noted. As team members take on more ownership, they grow—and as they grow, the organization evolves. This cyclical relationship between personal accountability and organizational progress forms the bedrock of Pennanen’s coaching style.
Respect, trust, and the decision-making window
Key to Pennanen’s philosophy are three pillars: respect, trust, and clarity of goals, processes, and values. These elements create what he calls the “decision-making window”—a defined space within which team members operate. “If you narrow this window too much in advance,” he warned, “you stifle growth and creativity.” Conversely, a window that’s too wide can lead to chaos. Striking the right balance is the art of leadership.
This window isn’t just about operational freedom; it’s about fostering an environment where creativity thrives within set boundaries. “We have goals, values, and operational models,” Pennanen explained, “but creativity within these frameworks is essential.” This approach ensures that while team members are aligned with organizational objectives, they are also empowered to innovate and think independently.
From ice rinks to boardrooms
Pennanen’s approach isn’t limited to the ice. His insights resonate in corporate settings where leaders grapple with balancing control and autonomy. “The more responsibility employees and athletes have,” he said, “the more they think for themselves, leading to deeper internal skill development.” This self-driven growth is the antidote to micromanagement and the key to fostering resilient, adaptable teams.
However, Pennanen acknowledged that this shift towards autonomy isn’t always easy—for leaders or their teams. “Letting go of control requires confronting your own insecurities,” he admitted. “But the more you trust yourself, the more you can trust others.” This evolution from a directive to a supportive leadership style has been central to Pennanen’s success.
Leading with responsibility
At the heart of Pennanen’s methodology is “responsibility coaching.” By creating environments where individuals are encouraged to take ownership, leaders can cultivate teams that are not only high-performing but also deeply invested in their growth. After each game or project, Pennanen engages his team in reflective discussions, exploring what worked, what didn’t, and how each member contributed to the outcome. This continuous feedback loop reinforces the connection between personal responsibility and team success.
Pennanen’s insights underscore a broader truth: whether on the ice or in the boardroom, the principles of effective leadership remain consistent. By fostering respect, trust, and autonomy, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams—creating not just champions, but thinkers, innovators, and lifelong learners.
In a world where hierarchies often dominate, Antti Pennanen’s vision offers a compelling alternative: leadership that empowers, environments that inspire, and teams that thrive on shared responsibility and mutual respect.
