How to communicate like Sanna Marin?

Courageous, determined, calm. This is how the former Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin was described by young American UCLA students recently. The same descriptions have been used in international press. Sanna Marin has grown into an international influencer from humble political backgrounds. How do you communicate to achieve this?

To become a thought leader you needs guts. It is all about how you are seen and heard - how you talk and what emotions and actions you invite. It is about your key messaging and the authenticity of your social conscience. The younger your audience, the greater the expectations of contributing to the societal issues are.

General rule in nature is: differentiate or die. This goes with us humans as well. Communication needs a clear strategy, a stellar plan and lots of confidence – an attitude and a passion to contribute.

Communications needs a clear strategy, a stellar plan and lots of confidence.

The former Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Marin was a politician in a mid-size town, then moved to national politics, became party leader and subsequently Finnish prime minister, all this before turning 40 years. Covid-19 hit Finland hard and the young prime minister was given ample opportunities to address the nation without any argumentation from the press or opposition. She enjoyed power. Her confidence grew immensely, and her way of communication became authoritative. Later during the war against Ukraine she became known besides the president, in tears about the war horrors thus humanizing herself. In the EU political scene she made an impact with her Russia opposition and her assertive communication style and image.

Sanna Marin left Finnish politics. She has been critized heavily in the media and we haven' heard the last of her leadership style in Finland yet. 

What ever the case, during couple of years, the international media exposure and the use of her own channels made Sanna Marin a thought leader for her million international followers, many who are young women. Being a young female leader automatically raised the media interest, but increasingly the rise has been about her assertive communication style, her maverick image and the straight-forward messaging. She has been seen as a political leader of the young generation. It seems she has captured the hearts and minds of her audience and the sign of times.

The rise has been about her assertive communication style, her maverick image and the straight-forward messaging.

Her argumentation and her dress choices have disrupted the conservative consensus in traditional political argumentation and style. From mute to vocal.

How about that for a message?

In short:

1. Find your voice.

2. Find your cause.

3. Know your audience.

4. Show heart.

5. Communicate with no fear.

PS. This is not a political blog. I'm not a fan, but I got to give credit to young women leaders.