February is the month of good leadership
February is the first-ever Leadership Month in Estonia, focusing on good people management, clarity, and accountability. It was initiated by the PARE together with the Eesti Tööandjate Keskliit, ICF Estonia, and Delfi Meedia. The aim of the initiative is to bring leadership quality into public discussion and encourage leaders to take a conscious look in the mirror—reflecting on what kind of working environment they create every day and what impact it has on people.
The past few years have placed leaders in difficult situations. Economic uncertainty, changing employee expectations, and accumulated fatigue have made it clear that leadership is not only about setting goals, but above all about how people are supported through change. Teams rarely fall apart because of change itself, but because of how it is implemented—what matters most is clarity, honest communication, and human connection.
According to Kai Saard, leadership is not a “soft topic” but a strategic area of management. A leader’s impact is reflected in everyday details—the tone used in meetings, how mistakes are handled, and the willingness to truly listen. When leadership is conscious and consistent, it creates space for learning, collaboration, and growth. When it is systematically weak, fatigue increases and commitment declines.
From the perspective of Hando Sutter, leadership quality will be one of the most important issues for employers in the coming years, as it directly affects company competitiveness as well as people’s and the state’s well-being. Estonia’s economy has reached a point where it increasingly needs leaders who can look beyond the next turn, initiate necessary changes, and keep people engaged.
The focus of Leadership Month is not only top executives. Leadership exists at every level, including volunteer organizations, where people are not bound by contracts or salaries, but by a sense of meaning. According to Age Leedo, people stay in such teams because of good relationships, a shared “why,” and the feeling that their contribution is noticed. When that disappears, so does motivation. A leader’s role is to create an environment where people can act based on their strengths and feel that their contribution truly matters.
Throughout February, leadership seminars and discussions take place across Estonia, leadership culture is explored in podcasts and articles with Estonian leaders, and good leaders and their practices are highlighted on social media. The aim is to share real stories, showcase effective leadership approaches, and encourage leaders to learn from each other.
Leadership Month invites leaders to pause and reflect on the kind of leadership culture we are creating every day. It is not formed in strategy documents, but in daily conversations, decisions, and the attention we give our people.
The organizers’ shared message is clear: good leadership does not happen by chance—it is conscious and continuous work, the impact of which extends far beyond organizational boundaries.
During Leadership Month, we also share leadership-related stories and perspectives in Estonian in Ärileht.
The Leadership Month social media profile picture frames and guidelines can be found HERE.