How do you experience diversity in your daily (working) life?
I started as an engineer in quality management at thyssenkrupp in 2009. Through many worldwide contacts, the work was very diverse from the beginning. When I ended up in a wheelchair after ten years due to a spinal cord disease, I experienced a great wave of solidarity. Whether it was the collection of donations by colleagues or the support of the management. Together with the works council and the representatives of the severely disabled, they made sure that I could continue to work in my job by converting the lift and doors and much more. In addition, I became involved in the representation of the severely disabled. Today I am back at my old company as a Senior Expert.
What advantages and challenges does diversity bring to the job?
Integration, be it of severely disabled people, older employees or people with different cultural backgrounds, helps to keep knowledge in the company and to build up new know-how. As a Senior Expert, I can drive exciting projects forward in a self-determined way and for a limited period of time. The company I work for doesn't have to worry about anything, because I'm hired by Senior Expert GmbH within the framework of temporary employment.
In my current project, as part of strategic human resources development, I am making my colleagues in the automotive sector fit for the developments of Industry 4.0. Through competence and personality analyses, we find out who we can best support and how, and how we can best put together teams. Here, too, it's about diversity: everyone can contribute to success with their strengths.
What does thyssenkrupp & the #GENERATIONTK mean to you?
In the 14 years that I have worked at thyssenkrupp, I have experienced that the company, for all the hardness of the business, behaves more socially than others. Even in small things like team and company events, I sense a lot of collegiality and openness. And that we work together on the most diverse levels to achieve optimal results for our customers. All this makes #GENERATIONTK for me.
How do you experience diversity in your daily (working) life?
I am very happy to benefit from diversity in my daily life. For me, diversity means that people with different cultural, social or professional backgrounds come together and learn from each other through their different experiences and enrich each other. Because where diversity is lived, different ways of thinking and perspectives create an interesting exchange of ideas. I find that particularly exciting. Moreover, I have noticed that a respectful and understanding environment must provide the basis.
What advantages and challenges does diversity bring to the job?
Diversity in the job shows itself to me by being surrounded by different characters, creative ideas and solution strategies. Diversity makes work more lively, innovative and, in my opinion, more adaptable. As an individual and strong part of a diverse team, each employee can positively influence the team dynamic.
Of course, there are challenges as well as opportunities. Within teams, diversity can lead to misunderstandings due to cultural differences or communication problems. If we are aware of these challenges, if we include everyone and if we are willing to find solutions as a team, I am sure that the benefits of diversity in the job will become visible and enrich us in the long term.
What does thyssenkrupp & the #GENERATIONTK mean to you?
The #GENERATIONTK stands for each and every one of us. We all make a decisive contribution. For me, it is the people with their diversity that make thyssenkrupp.
How do you experience diversity in your daily (working) life?
Diversity includes important points such as a responsible leadership and corporate culture that promotes diversity. This also includes working together regardless of age, gender and migration background. In this way, we not only set a good example, but also enable the next generation to develop within the company. Personally, I have been a member of the women's network "Wow! Web of women" at thyssenkrupp for several years and support women in their work environment and career planning. In doing so, I motivate women to actively use the differences and similarities between people for their own benefit. Be it in the cooperation in projects and/or in the leadership of teams.
What advantages and challenges does diversity bring to the job?
For me, diversity is much more than gender-appropriate language or the introduction of a women's quota. For me, diversity means living diversity at thyssenkrupp in my daily work and consciously demanding and promoting it as a leader. Diversity in the workplace brings new perspectives and better solutions to a wide variety of tasks. For me, living diversity is also an answer to the shortage of skilled workers and the problem of finding young talents.
What does thyssenkrupp & the #GENERATIONTK mean to you?
Through my past eleven years of experience at thyssenkrupp, I see that we are in a constant state of change. That is also very important and a good thing, because of course we shouldn't just stay in the present. Through this change, I have been able to build up a good network at thyssenkrupp. That is #GENERATIONTK for me.
Find out more about our Diversity is #GENERATIONTK campaign.
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