From Skepticism to Celebrated Leader: Lena’s Inspiring Transformation Story

Lena Silver has been named Winning Leader 2024—a prestigious award from Winningtemp. Her journey, from initial doubt to becoming a passionate supporter of the tool, is nothing short of inspiring. As a leader for Customer and Member Services at HSB Norr, Lena, together with her team of22 people spread across nine locations in northern Sweden, has shown that success is possible even in challenging circumstances.

In just one year, the team has gone from results far below average to becoming an example of how Winningtemp can help build strong and successful teams.

Turning Struggles Around

It all started last fall when Lena and her team met to discuss the poor results in the “Autonomy” category in Winningtemp. The group faced issues such as high staff turnover, several retirements, and the need to onboard multiple new employees at once.

What Lena describes as a “disastrous meeting” turned out to be a turning point. A few team members expressed their frustration, andLena quickly realized she needed to create a more open discussion where everyone’s voice could be heard.

Following the meeting, she made a promise: the negative feedback would be taken seriously. This commitment marked the start of a major transformation.

The action plan that made a difference

The team began their journey of improvement by focusing on the “work situation” category, where changes were most urgently needed. A detailed action plan was developed, including over 40 steps divided between managers, team members, and other parts of the organization. These steps ranged from quick, simple fixes to long-term process changes that are still ongoing. Lena describes it as follows:

“We identified what needed to be done. Some steps were quick to implement, while others are still in progress.”

One major change involved restructuring meetings. During a Teams meeting in December, clear guidelines were introduced to create an inclusive and constructive meeting culture. All team members were given the opportunity to speak, while respect and attentiveness became core values. The focus shifted from dwelling on criticism to looking ahead and presenting solutions. This new way of working became a key turning point for the team.

Focus areas and follow-up

To ensure lasting improvements, Lena and her team decided to work methodically on one category at a time. They first addressed the “work situation,” where the biggest challenges were. Once the team had improved this area, they moved on to “team spirit,” which was already a strength. Lena knew it was important to fix what needed improvement while also building on what was already working well — a balance that leads to stability and success.

The team is now focusing on the “personal development”category. To deepen the conversation on this topic, employees were encouraged to reflect on what personal development means to them individually and as a group. These insights were then used in one-on-one performance reviews, giving the discussions a deeper and more meaningful context.

“It was amazing to hear the team put into words what is important for their growth and how they want to improve,” Lena shares.

To maintain structured and ongoing follow-up, Lena holds regular coaching sessions and monthly Teams meetings with her team. This mix of long-term planning and frequent follow-ups has created a stable foundation for the team’s continued success.

Results that speak volumes

One year later, the team has achieved an impressive positive trend in Winningtemp data:

• Overall temperature: +77%
• Leadership: +81%
• Job satisfaction: +66%
• Work situation: +67%

Staff turnover has also decreased from 30% to 0%. Beyond measurable results, the work environment and team morale have improved so much that the team has become a role model within HSB Norr.

As Lena herself puts it:

“None of this would have been possible without my amazing team. It’s their willingness to grow, their engagement, and their ability to work together that have brought us to where we are today.”

Anna Dahlqvist, HR Manager at HSB, agrees:

“Winningtemp gives us the tools, and leaders unlock potential while employees take responsibility for development. The combination of these efforts is what has made success possible.”

Anna also highlights one of Lena’s greatest strengths—her ability to view feedback not as personal criticism but as a way to improve.

“Lena is a great example of how effective it can be when Winningtemp is used the right way—together with employees. It’s incredibly impressive to see how she has made feedback a natural part of the team’s development work.”

Winning done right

Lena Silver is a clear example of how courage, structure, and inclusive leadership can create lasting change. With Winningtemp as a tool, she has built a work environment where employees feel heard, engaged, and motivated to grow.

That’s why she’s a well-deserved recipient of theWinning Leader 2024 award.

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