Kristen Herde
 Kristen Herde |
Kristen Herde on working at E.ON Climate & Renewables:
Our business is really a place where people learn to become global leaders. With over 25 different nationalities represented, we are exposed to so many different cultures and viewpoints. This and the fact that people truly have the opportunity to leave their fingerprint on sustainability and energy solutions for the future in our new unit really motivates me.
What is your new position like?
I am head of human resources for E.ON Climate & Renewables, one of E.ON’s newest businesses. E.ON Climate & Renewables is responsible for the strategic and operational management of E.ON’s renewable energy projects. My role is to establish and lead the global HR function for this business.
What challenges do you face in this position?
My area of responsibility is global in nature and does not cover a specific aspect of HR such as recruitment or development but the full spectrum of HR activities –from compensation and benefits, shared services, talent and succession planning, employment law and employee relations, to recruitment and leadership development. A day at work is anything but routine.
My team is virtual in nature and spread around the globe. Our business units span from the UK to Spain to North America, and HR colleagues partnering these businesses have a functional dotted reporting line to me. It is a challenge to mobilizing the global team behind a common vision, especially as we do not see each other every day, but we have made excellent progress. We not only have telephone conferences and Web meetings, but also meet face-to-face on a regular basis to focus on team-building, planning and visioning, sharing best practice, and devoting time to business critical topics. We devote time to getting to know our colleagues from abroad and have taken part in a cooking course in the E.ON canteen together or recently had a German feast in the Düsseldorf Altstadt.
What is one defining moment that has shaped your career?
I attended a company event for board members of other DAX companies a few years ago. I was handing out some giveaways, and as I handed the little gift to one board member I said, “If you do not want it, perhaps your grandchild would enjoy it.” I will never forget the feeling of embarrassment when he said, “I am far too young to have grandchildren, I am forty-something, but I am sure my little children would love it.” This taught me the importance of doing my homework, knowing my audience and not rushing to judgments even if the intent was good!
What is your personal motivation?
Will Rogers once said, “Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.” I am driven by a thirst to learn new things, develop my potential and I love the sheer challenge of the new, the difficult, and the unknown. This is what motivates me!
How would you define responsible leadership?
My leadership philosophy is quite simple – I believe leaders paint a clear vision of how things can be done better and energize and inspire rather than control and dictate people to follow this vision. In my view, responsible and notable leaders are characterized by the following:
- clear, simple messages
- seeing change as an opportunity
- removing boundaries and bureaucracy
- not putting numbers ahead of values and behaviors
- creating an atmosphere where everyone can speak up and contribute
- giving employees freedom and responsibility and thereby generating enthusiasm
- creating stretch goals and aiming high
- spotting, developing and rewarding talent
- being in touch with reality and willing to make tough decisions, even if unpopular
How has the ESMT Executive MBA program supported your personal and professional growth?
The program has enhanced my commercial understanding and business acumen. I see “the bigger picture” and not just my piece in the puzzle. It is a great feeling to be able to read a business plan and ask the right questions and make connections one might not have previously seen. The program has also provided me with a suite of tools and frameworks to draw upon as decision-support for various situations. It has also reinforced my leadership capacity, people management and coaching skills and reconfirmed that these are areas I wish to continue to explore as part of further study. Whether I remain in HR or pursue at some point a general management track, I feel the MBA has prepared me for both. Further, the network of colleagues I have developed throughout the program is priceless. My fellow students have become both dear friends and business contacts for sharing similar challenges and our approaches to these. And the faculty is top-notch; I have developed relationships I will no doubt draw upon after the program.
What new skills have your learned?
To name a few… Critical analysis and strategic thinking, how to analyze business opportunities and the value they create (or don’t), organizational design, the role of social responsibility for firms, the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in fostering growth and competitive advantage, the role of emerging markets and how these affect existing business models.
What have you found to be most challenging?
Personally I found the quantitative courses such as finance and accounting the most challenging given I have had little exposure to these subjects previously. At the same time, these courses were most fulfilling, and I had a real sense of achievement at the end – and even got my best grades in these courses. The hard work was definitely worth it!
Clearly balancing a new job and move midstream in the program was a challenge, but I believe anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Yes, there are weeks where sleep is offset by copious amounts of coffee, but it has been the most rewarding time of my life – both personally and professionally. And I will forever be indebted to my family, friends and colleagues for their support.
ESMT European School of