Leader in the Spotlight: Daniel Magnusson
Daniel Magnusson does not think leaders need all the answers. They need to set direction, listen well and give people room to act.
That belief has been shaped by nearly 20 years at Sandvik, but also by time spent on the ice. Magnusson played hockey at a higher level in his youth and later coached his son’s team. Both taught him what happens when people know their roles, trust each other and stay composed under pressure.
“Being part of a team showed me the importance of discipline, understanding roles, and continually striving to improve,” he says. “It also helped me develop the resilience to stay motivated through both wins and setbacks.”
Give people room to deliver
Magnusson joined Sandvik in 2006 and has since worked at Sandvik Materials Technology, Sandvik Hyperion and Sandvik Coromant. His roles have covered product management, sales management, strategic accounts and business development.
Today, as VP Commercial Business at Vericut, he leads commercial operations across international markets outside the Americas. His responsibilities include sales, technical support, channel development, partner programs and sales operations.
Across those roles, one lesson has stayed with him.
“I've learned the value of delegating with responsibility. When people understand the purpose and feel trusted, they usually deliver beyond expectations.”
When Magnusson joined Vericut, he focused on creating clearer goals and stronger connections between regions and functions. The aim was simple: make sure people understood where the business was going and how their work contributed.
“By giving people space to own their areas while staying connected to a common strategy, we've been able to increase both engagement and performance.”
Vericut operates as a focused software business within the wider Sandvik organization. Magnusson sees strength in combining clear processes with the speed needed to respond to change. Data also plays an important role in deciding where to focus.
Trust across borders
Based in Sweden, Magnusson manages a team spread across Europe, Asia and North America. Digital tools keep people connected, but he still sees value in meeting face to face.
“Sometimes being in the same room is still the fastest way to solve things and build relationships,” he says. “That's why I travel regularly. Presence matters.”
So does listening.
Magnusson has found that strong leaders are not necessarily the loudest people in the room. They ask good questions, create clarity and stand behind their teams without trying to control every detail.
Lessons from the ice
Hockey taught Magnusson that strong teams need both discipline and freedom. People need to know what is expected of them, but they also need space to make decisions, learn and recover when things go wrong.
His advice to new leaders reflects that balance.
“Be clear on expectations, listen actively, give people room to take ownership, and support them as they grow,” he says. “It's important to have structure, but just as important to stay open to new ways of working and to challenge how things are done.”
Nearly two decades into his Sandvik career, Magnusson is still learning. For him, that is part of the job. Give people direction, trust them with responsibility and keep moving forward together.