When gender equality is not a foreign word
#BreakTheBias
Editor: Kerstin Stenger
Women power in Canada
A woman as plant manager, that's new in West Hill. Since 2020, Katherine has managed LANXESS's industrial lubricants and greases production. With her leadership position in a largely male domain, she shows that diversity is a reality. Working along with her, two other strong women - also in leadership positions.
We talked to her about her job, diversity and the benefits of female leadership.
How do you feel as the first female Plant Manager of the West Hill site?
I love my job and feel very comfortable at West Hill. I've already accomplished a lot at the site, and I'm happy about that. However, the success has also meant an adjustment for all of us. When I started at West Hill, there were very few women working at the site. Maybe three or four. The colleagues had some doubts about me at the beginning, but they were also very open, listened to me and took me seriously.
In the past, employees tended to think in silos. They had defined fields and the hierarchy was very complex. As a result, people rarely looked outside the box, and it was difficult to form synergies or accept other opinions. I really wanted to change that, even though it meant a change for me and my management style.
In previous roles, I always had "my boots on" and was prepared to make tactical decisions. In my current role, I have to focus more on dialogue and empowerment. That requires fewer tactical decisions and more guidance of my team. I am learning to delegate and give more responsibility to the team. I can't know everything - but my team can. I'm still getting used to this, but it's great to see my team develop and grow.
Hierarchically, we are flatter now. We have learned to accept other perspectives, implement ideas together and support each other. As a result, we have grown together as a team and have become more successful. We even won the Americas "Performance Culture Champions Award.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The best thing about my job is bringing people together. This is so important to being able to handle challenges. Together we are stronger.
I set clear goals or talk about visions, but it's important to me that my employees find their own way to reach the goal. I coach them and try to give guidance but they should learn to solve challenges or changes in their own way, to create their own "toolbox" from which they can draw as needed.
Have you ever faced prejudice or discrimination in your career?
Usually the prejudices were based on old thought patterns or experiences. To give an example: When service providers or suppliers come to our site, they want to talk to the person in charge. And that is traditionally a "HIM" for them. They are very surprised when I appear.
Otherwise, I have experienced discrimination more because of my age. Twenty years ago, managers had to be in their mid-fifties to even have a chance at the position. Age was equated with experience. That's changing very quickly right now. And that's a good thing.
Unfortunately, along my career journey I have, in the past more rejection. In my jobs before, it happened that
- I was not given the opportunity to express myself in meetings,
- my opinion wasn't respected,
- third parties assumed that I could not be responsible for a certain position,
- or colleagues assumed that I was not technically competent because of my age.
Today, things are different – and I try to be a good example for other young women. I always think my counterpart deserves respect. Unfortunately, that is not always the norm. If I witness discrimination or rejection, I address it immediately. And that's what everyone should do.
Would you recommend that women go into typically male-dominated professions?
Yes! Women bring a breath of fresh air and different perspectives to a department.
When I took over as plant manager, my successor in production management was a woman named Sarah Robinson. We are often referred to as the "dynamic duo" because we work well as a team and want to move the operation forward. That's funny - but it's extremely important to have female role models in all types of jobs.
For example, my colleague Sarah Chartier, who started as a trainee at LANXESS in the US before coming to West Hill in March 2020, is now responsible for the plant reliability. I was nervous about how she would be received on a team made up of only men. But everyone respects her.
She approaches the men and talks to them. She speaks her mind and understands their concerns very quickly. She also has the ability to break down complex issues simply. Colleagues like that. But Sarah also brings her point of view and represents it.
I think a key advantage for women in leadership positions is good communication skills! It enriches a team because many topics are addressed and don't remain unspoken in the room. The latter promotes conflicts, a dialogue helps to avoid conflicts....
What tips would you give women on their professional paths?
My advice would be
- Build up a network. That is very important.
- Be yourself, don't pretend.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Find a way to express yourself.
It is important to always address prejudice and discrimination when you see it. Society needs to be confronted. The world is changing and women are actively shaping this change.
