In the dynamic world of technology, where rapid advancements shape the future, leaders like Jonas play a pivotal role in steering their organizations toward innovation and resilience. With a career spanning major telecom players to a significant position at JSB, Jonas’s journey is a testament to embracing change, fostering digital transformation, and preparing for the future’s uncertainties. This article is a deep dive into his professional trajectory, leadership philosophy, and insights into the technological trends shaping the security industry.

Jonas path to leadership

Jonas’s voyage into the tech world began with a solid foundation in software engineering, primarily within the telecom sector, where he was part of the Ericsson family for quite some time. Describing his time at Ericsson as an invaluable learning curve, he credits the organization for its forward-thinking processes and tools, which laid a robust groundwork for his future endeavors within tech. His first leadership role also came at Ericsson, where he was tasked with overseeing the development of next-generation charging systems across two sites in India. This international experience was pivotal, broadening his perspective on IT’s role in traditional companies and the unique challenges they face. Beeing a part of an international environment and seeing the benefits of getting IT to really work across departments and geographies was of course learningfull. 

The turning point in Jonas’s career was when he transferred from his IT role at Södra to his role as CTO at JSB, a company entrenched in a traditionally conservative industry – the building sector. Here, he spearheaded digitization efforts, transforming a paper-based company into a digital powerhouse in a remarkably short time. 

I realized that at the end of the day, it’s always about people. It’s about making technology accessible and useful for the end-user.

This phase represented a remarkable shift, moving from the digital overhaul of internal workflows to championing projects like an AR/VR startup within their portfolio, showcasing his commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches.

Blurring the traditional boundaries between creation and implementation 

As the CTO of Outpost24, Jonas now leads the R&D development organization, focusing on evolving their product to stay ahead in the competitive landscape of cybersecurity. With teams spread across Asia, Sweden, and throughout Europe, his role encompasses breaking down business requirements to enhance their product continuously. 

Tasked with navigating the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape, he underscores the importance of not only advancing their product but also fostering an environment where his globally dispersed team can thrive. Central to this mission is his commitment to breaking down intricate business requirements, ensuring the continuous enhancement of their offerings with a focus on quality, efficiency, and innovation. A typical day involves a mix of strategic planning and operational tasks, always with a keen eye on quality, efficiency, and innovation. The transition to a container-based solution marks a significant leap for Outpost24, not just in terms of technological upgrade but also in cultural transformation.

We’re in the midst of transforming our product to a container-based solution, not just technically but culturally, bringing developers closer to the production process,” Jonas shares, highlighting the blend of technological advancement and human-centric change management.

By bringing developers closer to the production process, he aims to blur the traditional boundaries between creation and implementation, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration across the board.

Jonas’s people-focused strategy extends beyond internal processes. He is deeply invested in the professional growth and well-being of his team members, advocating for a workplace that values innovation, learning, and personal development. 

Technology evolves, but it’s the people behind it who make the real difference. Our goal is to create a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute, he affirms.

This emphasis on people over technology does not diminish the importance of Outpost24’s innovations; rather, it enhances them. By prioritizing a culture that champions the human element, Jonas ensures that the solutions developed are not only technologically advanced but also deeply aligned with the needs and nuances of the end-users. In doing so, Outpost24 stands as a testament to the power of human-centric leadership in the digital age, proving that the best technology is the one that serves people first.

Ensuring that technology serves the company ambitions

Jonas’s strategic vision is tightly interwoven with the business’s overarching goals. He believes in aligning IT strategy with business objectives, ensuring that technology serves as a lever to achieve broader company ambitions. One of the most significant technological trends he identifies is the utilization of AI and data analytics to revolutionize business processes. 

AI and data will drastically change how we work, elevating the role of human intelligence in the workflow, he predicts, emphasizing the need for companies to adapt and harness these technologies to stay relevant.

Jonas describes his leadership style as supportive and enabling, focusing on defining the ‘what’ and allowing his team the autonomy to figure out the ‘how.’ This approach fosters innovation and empowers his team members to take ownership of their projects. When building his tech team, he looks for individuals who are not only technically proficient but who also share a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. 

Good people want to work with good people. It’s about creating an environment that attracts talent and fosters internal growth, he states.

Do what you have decided

Recruitment and retaining talent are among the challenges Jonas faces, a common theme in the tech industry. However, he views these challenges as opportunities to innovate in how companies attract and develop their workforce. He is particularly excited about the potential of data and AI to create new business models and improve product development processes – Making them work even faster.

Looking back, Jonas advises newcomers to the tech field to firstly seek experiences in large companies where learning opportunities are abundant. But he also stresses the importance of setting developmental goals for yourself and having a solid aim with your career and development. That and being open to international experiences to gain a broader perspective. 

Decide what you’re going to do, and do what you’ve decided, Jonas concludes, encapsulating his philosophy of purpose-driven action and constant evolution.

Jonas reminds us of the importance of adaptability, the human element in technology, and the endless possibilities that arise from a forward-thinking mindset. As we look to the future, it’s clear that embracing change, whether through innovation in cybersecurity or the strategic integration of emerging technologies, will be key to navigating the complexities of the digital age.

 

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