Minimalist Portfolio Stories
By Antti Ruskeala
I'm Antti, packed with passion and a proven track record with 17 years of leadership experience, including nine in senior management. I focus on continuous improvement and scalable models while uniting global teams for great results. I also enjoy motivational speaking on careers, leadership, and growth.
Learning and Leading: A Decade at Telia
I was literally dancing in the rain when I heard the news, not knowing then that I was about to embark on a decade-long journey with Telia. It was autumn 2007. The phone call informing me of my selection as a Team Manager at the Finnish Telco Giant, Sonera, filled me with excitement. They were in the middle of a massive recruitment drive, seeking managers with a coaching leadership approach.
On my very first day, I joined a packed bus with other new managers, all heading to our welcome party. The impressive public speaking skills of some directors left me amazed. It didn't take long for us to realize that delivering results was a must; otherwise, another opportunity might – or might not – await us. More than half of us managed to retain our positions after the first year. It was my first lesson in the importance of achieving results in any circumstance.
As I got to know the organization better, I found myself really impressed by TeliaSonera's Sales Academy. It was a group of sales and coaching professionals who knew how to get things done. I set my goals high, and before long, I found myself leading the Sales Academy team. As my reputation grew and I hit my targets, I could see that the B2B customer care department needed some changes. So, when the time was right, I decided to throw my hat in the ring for the Department Manager position – and got it.
Heading back to where I'd started my journey in the department felt like coming full circle, but this time I was armed with more than just my experience as a team manager. Those were some of the best and the most challenging times I had at Telia. Before moving on, I had the opportunity to demonstrate my sales leadership skills as the Head of Sales Area in retail.
The Next Chapter: Transformation and Growth
In the blink of an eye, I found myself in the grand lobby of Elisa, one of the top employers in Finland, reaching the final stage of the long recruitment process for the position of Department Manager in B2C Customer Care. Being finally chosen for such an awesome role was truly a game-changer for me.
My first year at Elisa was fantastic. I still remember my jaw-dropping reaction when the Vice CEO called me just before Christmas 2018. I received the news that my first Profit/Loss Business Unit was ready for my command and my Director's contract was ready to be signed. So, the next year started when I shook hands with my hiring manager as my new colleague, and I was nominated to participate in various management teams, forums, and workgroups. I think I transitioned from coaching leadership to thought leadership, realizing that I've learned a way to construct opinions that leave an impact. I still remember the moment when I was invited to make my first presentation to the Elisa Management Team; it is a small memory, but it still stands out in my career.
Then life had surprises in store - divorce and hitting rock bottom. Pretty soon, I realized that I needed to use a lot of energy and free time to reinvent myself. Unexpectedly, a headhunter called as if it was meant to be, and I joined Sector Alarm as Operations Director in their Country Top Team. There, I learned the importance of company culture and the actions needed to create a truly winning organization. My journey at Sector ended when quick decisions were once again needed, when another headhunter called. I got the opportunity to work at LeadDesk, a smaller but highly target-oriented SaaS company. In this role, it's all about putting customers first and building global scalable customer service. There I have been since fall 2022.