Greenstep Academy helped Save the Children Finland boost leadership skills

When organizational changes reshaped Save the Children Finland (Pelastakaa Lapset ry), they started looking for the right partner to strengthen their leadership training. Fast forward a few years, and after a successful start, HR Specialist Johanna Peltomaa is confident the partnership with Greenstep will continue well into the future.

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent child rights organization, working to protect children and promote their rights in over 100 countries, and they’ve been doing it for more than a century.

Their global mission is simple but powerful: to ensure every child’s right to life, protection, education, and participation. And to help make this mission a reality, Save the Children Finland chose Greenstep Academy as their training partner.

A training program tailored to real needs

Last year, as part of their ongoing collaboration, Greenstep Academy delivered a leadership program designed specifically for Save the Children’s updated needs.

“We chose Greenstep as our leadership training partner for 2023 because they were the best fit. They could adapt the program to match our situation and meet our wishes. It also helped that we already knew them.” says HR Specialist Johanna Peltomaa, who co-designed the program together with Save the Children’s HR Director and Greenstep Academy’s Heli Häyrynen.

The key to success? Relatable content and a skilled trainer

Organizations that invest in quality training and development often find it easier to attract the right talent. And when it comes to leadership, keeping your toolkit fresh and your skills sharp is vital – especially for those stepping into leadership roles for the first time.

“The most important factor for a successful training is having a capable trainer. They need to equip participants with practical tools while keeping the sessions down-to-earth and easy to relate to,” Johanna explains.

“It really helped that we had the same familiar trainer, Heli, throughout the program. This allowed us to build trust, which is crucial for creating an open and engaging atmosphere.”

The team also wanted the training to include legal insights and pay extra attention to the challenges faced by employees who transition into leadership roles.

“Heli was the perfect match for us, because she’s knowledgeable, professional, and someone who makes everyone feel comfortable speaking their mind.”

SDI-analysis: understanding yourself and others

Greenstep also introduced the SDI (Strength Deployment Inventory) analysis as part of the program. The tool helps leaders identify personal motivators and strengths while deepening their understanding of team communication.

“SDI has been received with genuine interest, even though it doesn’t shy away from direct feedback. It really makes you reflect on your own communication and work habits – and encourages you to see things from others’ perspectives as well,” says Johanna.

“It’s something that managers can and should return to regularly. In fact, some of our managers are now eager to use the analysis with their own teams.”

Understanding yourself, and how others tick, makes teamwork and day-to-day leadership much smoother.

A shared desire to make a difference

Save the Children Finland offers vital child protection services to wellbeing services counties and provides expert services for social care and child protection professionals.

“It’s no secret that it’s getting harder to recruit for some positions in our field, so we want to make sure we’re supporting our existing managers as much as we can. They play a huge role in how employees experience Save the Children as a workplace and an employer,” Johanna points out.

“The people who join us are those who are deeply committed to children’s rights. They’re driven by the desire to help and to make a real difference. That’s what unites us all.”