Peter Larsson at Åre Risk Event – about leadership when the unimaginable happens
When Åre Risk Event gathers decision-makers, Peter Larsson, Municipal Director of Örebro Municipality, is the keynote speaker. With experience from the school shooting at Risbergska school, he talks about leadership in one of the most difficult crises a municipality can face.
Peter Larsson has been the municipal director of Örebro since 2021 and has previously held a similar role in Uddevalla as well as leading positions in the automotive industry and healthcare. In his role, he is responsible for controlling and leading all of the municipality's operations and has a driving role in developing and streamlining the organization.
During his years as municipal director, he has dealt with several difficult events, including Easter riots, explosions and murders linked to gang crime, the corona pandemic and the refugee crisis in 2015. But on February 4, 2025, the municipality was faced with the most trying situation to date, when Sweden was hit by the worst mass shooting in modern times.
During his presentation on April 23, he will speak openly about the experiences of the event.
"I will share our experiences of the school shooting at Risbergska in a deep and partly personal way," he says.
Creating order in the midst of uncertainty
A central question during the Åre Risk Event is how leadership works when time is short and uncertainty is total. For Peter Larsson, it is about clarity, presence and empathy.
"To communicate and be transparent, to meet up with the media. Have a clear communication platform. What you say must correspond to what you do. Empathy must permeate the actions and it is also important to give people the opportunity to gather and share the grief.
The work since 4 February last year has been long-term and demanding.
"Dealing with a tragic event like this is much more long-term and requires more sustained work than you think. Crisis support, security-creating measures, communication and empathy are extremely important. We have worked extremely intensively on this during the year, also in close collaboration with other actors such as the police, the region and the county administrative board.
Lessons for the future
The year after the event is still characterized by learning and development.
"Clear direction and prioritization for our efforts are central. Collaboration with other actors is required and if it is to work, you should work closely with these relationships in everyday life. The importance of practicing is something I especially want to highlight. Leadership and trust are success factors.
As a keynote speaker, Peter Larsson wants to give the participants both concrete insights and personal perspectives.
"I will share insights based on what Örebro Municipality has done well and what we could have done differently. Give a personal picture of what it's like to lead a crisis like this. Perspectives to take with you to be better prepared if the crisis comes.
During the Åre Risk Event, leadership under extreme pressure is in focus – and the experiences from Örebro provide important perspectives on how organizations can act when the unimaginable happens.
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