A Transformative Leadership Tool

As an owner‑manager in a Danish production company, I know that future success depends on our ability to think differently—and act now. This book insists on action. It shows how companies can strategically and operationally unite digitalization, sustainability, and servitization into a coherent business model—and how we as leaders can use this insight to create real transformation.

I recommend this book to all leaders who refuse to sit on the sidelines but want to actively drive transformation. It provides the necessary imaginative force—but most importantly, the ability to act and realize the transformational potential.

The future of public welfare demands new ways of thinking, leading, and collaborating. Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth is not only a book for the private sector, but an essential tool for public leaders who want to take responsibility for a sustainable and digital transition. The public sector faces complex challenges—economic constraints, rising expectations, and the climate agenda—which require innovative solutions. The book shows how imaginative force—the ability to see new possibilities and act on them—is crucial in shifting from administrating challenges to creating solutions.

The book enables us to rethink how we create welfare through close collaboration between public and private sectors. It offers a strategic framework that goes beyond efficiency and into value creation across sectors.

This is not a book you simply read—it is a book you act upon.

The way we lead and develop people is undergoing a paradigm shift. Our traditional HR strategies and mindsets are no longer enough. We need new approaches and a consciousness that not only adapts to and maintains current systems but also creates, builds, and develops alternatives for the future we want and need—on behalf of the people and relationships that meet every day to create value. In the midst of the unknown. In the transition from old to new.

For us in HR, this book is highly relevant—perhaps even necessary—because it introduces a new way of thinking about competence development. If we want to develop the next generations of leaders, teams, and employees (both blue‑ and white‑collar—yes, I work in a production company!), we must think differently—together.

We cannot simply adapt to the future—we should create it. With this book, we gain concepts, words, meanings, and insights that provide a sharp, practical, and inspiring guide on how to do exactly that. Together.

Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth takes us from fragmented initiatives to a holistic strategy where digitalization, servitization, and sustainability are integrated. It is the first book I have seen that presents a concrete method for working with all three transformations in both strategy development and execution.

It requires specialized competencies to understand the interplay between these movements—and, not least, to act accordingly. Imaginative Force is therefore not merely an advantage, but a necessity. Those who master this competence will be strongly positioned for future growth.

I recommend this groundbreaking book to any leader who wants to think and act strategically in a complex world.

“This book breaks with the traditional mindset that economic growth and sustainability are opposites. It shows how companies can simultaneously create growth on all bottom lines—economic, social, and environmental.

This, however, requires a new form of leadership based on a new set of competencies. Leadership that understands that tomorrow’s winners master the three-in-one transformation and measure success through value creation on multiple levels. It requires imaginative force—the competence to see opportunities where others see limitations.

Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth is a highly visionary yet practical book on leadership—one of the best I have read. It creates a new understanding of how to drive growth in the new reality and provides concrete tools for leaders to turn that understanding into action.

With today’s geopolitical challenges—wars and crises—it is easy for the climate crisis to be pushed aside. But the climate crisis must be solved. And it must be solved systemically. A systemic approach can accelerate solutions because it accounts for the complexity of interconnected systems—energy production, economy, politics, societal behavior, and ecosystem fragility.

One of the book’s premises is that we must think in ecosystems and thereby think systemically, because—as the authors write—sustainability is no longer a question of compliance and sacrifice, but of contributing positively to the future for many: ‘Sustainability is no longer just a necessity, but an opportunity for your company, employees, suppliers, customers, and investors.’

Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth is not only a creative and highly innovative book. It is an important one, because if we use our collective imaginative force, we have the foundation to change behavior.

New technologies and changing business models are a reality for Danish companies in all industries. Many companies invest significant resources in understanding the opportunities and threats associated with digitalization, AI, sustainability, and service-based business models. But technologies are not magic—they are a driving force that requires a strategic approach to create real value.

Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth provides valuable insight into how companies can work with their vision, position, and business models in a complex world. Through strong cases, the book shows how companies create growth by understanding customer needs, leveraging new technologies and business models—and, not least, through an imaginative force that drives their transformation.

At STEAR, we work with startups developing future technologies and products within energy and tech. For these companies, navigating an ecosystem of investors, businesses, and knowledge institutions is essential. The book explains the connections that create success for both startups and the ecosystems they are part of—not only in terms of technology but also market understanding and strategic execution. That is why the book is an important contribution that we will actively use in our work to develop the next generation of growth companies.

Success requires imaginative force—the ability and the will to create a triangulated whole. Technology and digitalization are natural focal points, but always with respect for the analog and semi-digital reality. Technological development moves incredibly fast, and everyone must be able to speak both ‘IT’ and ‘data’—it cannot be outsourced to the IT department.

The book’s strength lies in its practical approach to uniting growth, sustainability, and well-being—not as opposites, but as prerequisites for each other. I give it my warmest recommendation. It is invaluable if you are a leader seeking a concrete and applicable method for navigating multiple agendas.

As the owner-manager of a smaller Danish SME, I was relieved to be introduced to the book Imaginative Force – Take Responsibility and Create New Growth. The book unites three major contemporary trends, enabling a holistic and coherent strategy and execution. For us, this means we achieve our business development and transformation goals faster and more cost-effectively.

Imaginative force is our new superpower and is crucial for whether we can retain employees, attract new talent, and create long-term value for our customers. It means we must evolve—not merely becoming a smaller part of the problem but instead becoming part of the solution. That requires imaginative force.

I recommend this groundbreaking book to every SME leader who wants to think and act strategically in a complex world. It will inspire you to develop your imaginative force and strengthen your company’s position in the future market.