Essential Skills Required for a Corporate Role, as Perceived by a DAX Executive
Are you at meetings, brainstorming sessions, with a boiling pot of ideas, wishing you were the one in charge? It's time to stop complaining and start acting. Here are some insights from Eva Ell, the HR Manager at Henkel who made it to the top.
First Things First: Laying the Groundwork
Eva Ell's climb up the corporate ladder wasn't a walk in the park. Her secret? Stop waiting for opportunities to fall into your lap. Instead, take charge and pursue them actively. Here's her advice on how to do it:
Mindset of a Successful Leader
Before climbing the corporate ladder, it's crucial to have the right mindset. Here are the five perspectives that propel Eva and other leaders to success:
- Be Yourself: Authenticity matters. Don't pretend to be someone you're not.
- Respect Your Elders: Age shouldn't be a barrier. Learn from the valuable experience older colleagues bring.
- Embrace Mistakes: Admit, learn, and grow from your mistakes, and be open about them with your team.
- Show Courage: Be bold, engage in tough discussions, and don't shy away from saying "no" when necessary.
- Innovate and Challenge the Status Quo: Stay updated on industry trends and drive change when needed.
Building a Top Career
Now that you have the mindset, it's time to put it into practice. Don't be afraid to approach superiors and express your interest. Here are the key steps to take:
- Ask for help: You don't need to do everything alone. Asking questions speeds up the learning process.
- Stand Out: While standing out is important, remember that it should advance the team as a whole, not just yourself.
- Listen Actively: Active listening ensures you contribute at the right time and allow others to speak.
- Don't Strive for Perfection: Courage outweighs perfection, especially when things don't always go as planned.
- Make Decisive and Brave Choices: Not everyone will be pleased, but making fearless decisions propels your growth.
- Build a Strong Network: Remember, it's never been more important to build connections with others.
- Leadership Should be Accessible: Leaders today are approachable and offer transparency to build trust.
- Adaptiveness in Times of Crisis: Stay updated with changing trends and remain agile in the face of adversity.
- What Sets a Specialist and a Leader Apart: Courage, enthusiasm, and willingness to take risks set a leader apart.
- Continuous Learning: Keep learning and growing to stay competitive.
According to Eva Ell, the future of the workplace should be more innovative, less bureaucratic, and more inclusive. Embrace these tips, and who knows, maybe the person directing those meetings will be you one day.
What sets a specialist and a leader apart is courage, enthusiasm, and willingness to take risks. Continuous learning and growing are key to staying competitive in the business world.
