MAEM FEMALE LEADER At MAEM, regardless of gender and position, everyone is equal. This is confirmed by statistics showing that 35% of all management positions in our company are occupied by women - s ays Qualit y D ire c tor at M A EM , Katarzyna Brodecka. W hy d i d yo u d e c i d e to w o rk f o r MAEM? Successively gaining skills and developing the ones I have, is something that has accompanied me for a very long time - for most of us, it is natural. Yes, and at some point in my life, the time has come to change and take a new direction, to develop professional wings. Potentially, the work at MAEM seemed to be a very developing one: the maritime industry - where I hadn't had the opportunity to work before, the team of young professionals (as advertised) and the possibility of realizing my own ideas - were something that encouraged me to apply. The recruitment interview itself was surprising - I did not expect such a high level as for a Polish company which is not a corporation. Additional advantages were also a noticeable pro approach to the quality of the interviewer, as well as a visible in the company attaching great importance to the aesthetic values of the equipment. After the first days of work, I have already known that the feeling and positive impression did not mislead me. After a few years, I can confidently say that to this day, this initial fondness has not passed. At least for me. What is the greatest value to you while working at MAEM? It probably sounds trivial, but people. The people who create this organization, its culture and atmosphere. Mutual support and trust - also in the workplace (where I spend a lot of time) is something I cannot function without.
12 | Spring 2020 | MAEM. I like it!
Has the promotion to a direc tor 's position at MAEM changed anything in you? Of course. It changed my meeting c alendar to a more d y namic one Seriously, I think my awareness of the fact that every day can bring something completely different has changed. The plans from yesterday and the proverbial ‘today’ may be diametrically different. And I do not consider it in negative categories. What do you think makes it so difficult for women to take up managerial positions? Little self-confidence, fear of failure and discrimination are the first things that come to my mind. I myself have encountered many times during my career that men treat women ‘from above’. It also affected me personally. One of my first employers, he hired only women and spoke openly about the fact that it is very profitable for him in business (the clients were mainly men - presidents, company owners). Our cooperation did not last long. I also heard more than once that I managed to achieve something by the proverb ‘pretty eyes’ - where in practice, achieving the goal was associated with hard work and many sacrifices but also a lot of stubbornness and faith that it will succeed. Behaviour as above does not encourage further development and openness to business opportunities. Do women have it easier in business? I don't think so. Does being a woman in a managerial position present you with any challenges, or does gender not play a role here? Of course, a change of position always p o ses great challenges , esp ecially in terms of new duties or responsibilities. However, I do not have the i m p r e s s i o n t h a t g e n d e r m a t te r s in MAEM . 3 5% of all management
positions at the MAEM are held by women. Looking at an industry that is much more suited to men, it seems to be quite a decent result. However, this area can be further improved.
I am proud to take on a new role in the organization, so I think the biggest challenge for me may be to encourage other women to believe in themselves and not be afraid to reach out to their professional dreams - of course if it is something they want. What do you think are the strong points of women in business? What distinguishes them from the opposite sex and what are their advantages over it? It seems to me that women are inherently more sensitive than men, which makes them experience certain things more emotionally - it has its pros and cons. From my observations, also problem solving and showing openness to cooperation, in a business environment - it comes easier for women. What is your favourite tool to help you at work? I don't think it's ever been made yet. It seems to me that this is not a tool but a sum of small things that make the day enjoyable and allow you to spend it effectively: morning coffee, the opportunity to share or consult with colleagues or simply team solidarity. What do you like most about your work? That it's very unusual. On a daily basis, I deal with issues related not only to ensuring the quality of the system and product, meeting the requirements of interested parties, but also the development of the organizational culture (headed by Corporate Social R e sp on sibilit y) , human re s ource s management, as well as environmental
