[1] In 2009, he was chosen by Iltalehti as the third most influential decision-maker in the Finnish economy after Björn Wahlroos and Antti Herlin.

Taxell has also served as chairman of the Board of Finnair and as a member of the boards of EFFOA Byggproduktindustrin, ABB, Merita bank, Sampo, Varma-Sampo, KCI Konecranes, Wärtsilä (Metra), Kalmar Industries, Raisio Group, Nordkalk, Hormos Medical, Boliden, Lifim and Skandia.

Taxell is the chairman of the Board of the University Alliance and headed the foundation for the European Capital of Culture in Turku in 2011.

[4][5] The origin of the term is said to be an inaugural speech in 1985 at the South Ostrobothnia Vocational School (in Swedish Sydösterbottens yrkesskola).

Taxell himself does not consider the term to be described as a paradox or attributed to him, but refers to repeated experiences during Finland's independence period.