Human-Centered Leadership & Volunteering - Inka Hedenstam

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about helping others grow. In this inspiring interview, our Finland team’s Head of Branch opens up about the lessons she's learned through mentoring and volunteering, and how they’ve influenced her leadership journey. At Bigbank, we’re proud to support the growth of exceptional people and purposeful leaders like her.

Why Mentoring Matters, Volunteering in the Amigo Youth Mentoring Program?

Before I tell you about the Amigo mentoring program, I want to share why I decided to join.
When I was in my twenties, I didn’t know what I wanted in life. I didn’t have clear goals, and things felt a bit all over the place. I’ve always been a bit of a bohemian – a free spirit. And I don’t have children of my own.

That’s why I felt a strong pull to support someone younger – to be the kind of adult I would have needed back then. Someone who listens, encourages, and simply shows up.

This spring I started as a volunteer in the Amigo Youth Mentoring Program, run by the Deaconess Foundation here in Finland. It’s a program that connects adults with young people who may not have a stable adult presence in their lives. The goal is simple: to be there. Consistently and kindly.

I meet with my mentee twice a month. Our meetings are casual – we might grab a coffee, go for a walk, chat while shopping, or hit the gym. There’s no agenda or performance expectation. What matters most is consistency and presence – being someone the young person can trust. No big speeches, no fixing things – just being genuinely available.

What this has taught you about leadership?

In my everyday work in Bigbank, I lead a team. As leaders, we’re expected to be inspiring, professional, and people-focused. We’re meant to set the tone. But I’ve found that mentoring has helped me live up to those expectations in a much deeper, more human way. Here’s how:

1. Listening without an agenda

In mentoring, I’m not there to give advice or solve problems. I’m there to really listen – with empathy, without judgment. This has sharpened my ability to be present at work, too. It reminds me to listen more and talk less, especially when someone on my team just needs to be heard.

2. Building trust without authority

At work, people often trust me because of my role or title. In mentoring, there’s no title to lean on. Trust has to be earned – through time, care, and consistency. This has reminded me not to rely too much on hierarchy, but instead build trust by showing I genuinely care. It’s about connecting as people, not just roles.

3. Living my values

We often talk about corporate responsibility and ethical leadership. For me, mentoring is one way I live those values in real life. It’s not about big gestures – it’s about showing up for someone who needs a safe adult to walk alongside them. It grounds me and reminds me that leadership is also about the quiet, meaningful choices we make outside the spotlight.

A small act, a big impact

Mentoring doesn’t take much time – but it gives me a lot. It gives me perspective. It helps me grow. It reminds me why I lead the way I do.

And sometimes, the best lessons in leadership don’t come from the boardroom – they come from a coffee with someone who just needs to be seen and heard. We as leaders should always remember this.