Philips leaders share their tips for management and career success

1. Understand and believe in the company mission and vision

According to Ramesh Krishnamoorthy, Head of Procurement, this is the baseline for success in management. “It’s critical to grasp your organization’s philosophy, and to actively contribute to it in the day to day,” he says. “Leading by example is one thing, but bringing the culture to life is quite another.” With this attitude, he says, you can motivate your team to go beyond clocking in hours.

2. Define what great looks life

Robert Metzke, Global Head of Sustainability, says, “Any successful team endeavour starts with a clear goal in mind and a picture of what success will actually look like. It creates energy and confidence, focusses the team on what matters and serves as a beacon along the way when things get tough.” Mutual trust and respect is both a precondition and a reward of this approach, says Robert.
 

3. Knowledge is power

It’s important for Ulrike de Jong, Sr. Consumer Marketing Manager, to be constantly aware and updated on consumer needs and market dynamics for management success. “If you are equipped with the correct insights, you can be an efficient leader able to lead cross functional teams and prioritize their efforts while increasing productivity to drive business impact,” she says.

4. Keep a helicopter view at all time

It’s easy to get caught in the detail, says Carlo Felicia, Head of Rewards, rather than look to solve challenges that have a long term positive impact. “Always look at the bigger picture to find the solution,” he says. “Success is about taking action and getting things done, but ultimate success is about keeping your eye on the big picture.”

5. Bend like a tree in the wind

The world is changing faster than ever, and to remain competitive, Alberto Prado, Head of Philips HealthWorks, thinks that management styles should be adaptable, responsive and collaborative. He says, “management success requires a versatile style that balances both IQ and EQ. Further, establishing a culture of transparency and showing that you’re comfortable navigating through uncertainty provides teams with confidence.”

6. Listen

This tip is no secret, thinks Julie Harbert, SVP and Head of Global Business Services and Shared Service Transformation, but its importance is easily forgotten. “Be approachable so your team can share their frustrations and challenges with you,” she says. “Feeling the urge to always get your point in first should stop. Sometimes it’s more important to listen to your team and consider what they have to say as best solutions consider multiple angles.”

7. Be honest, be authentic

Mark van Meggelen, Sr. Director at Connected Care and Healthcare Informatics, says it’s all about being sincere with people and encouraging genuine willingness to work together. “You need to be both trustworthy and trusting of the people who work for you. Attract talented ‘can do’ people who are able to collaborate in autonomous teams and be prepared to ‘grant’ each other success,” he says.

8. Nurture success

Management success is achieved if you set up others around you for success, thinks Maegan Wilkinson, Sr. Director of Marketing for Emergency Care and Resuscitation. “One of your goals  is to discover what can enable your team to be successful in their roles and projects. Empower and invest in them by providing opportunities — and receive back 100 % commitment,” she says.

9. Switch easily between macro and micro levels

A balance between these two levels is critical to management success, according to Vinayak Harishchandrakar, Head of Operations & Integration. “You need to look farther out to set direction while at the same time being aware of micro details to avoid any impediments,” he says.

10. Find a mentor

Never think you are done learning, urges Michiel Manuel, Head of Operations Strategy Health Systems. Management success comes from having a learning mindset. He says, “seek out a coach who is doing things differently to learn from and reflect with. Someone who challenges you, makes you think outside of the box and stops you in your tracks.”

11. Make your mantra: passion, balance & freedom

For Roberta Passerini, Sr. Director Digital Transformation, these are the three ingredients for success. “Having passion gives you energy instead of draining it away, it’s also contagious, people develop the same enthusiasm,” she says. Secondly, it’s critical to balance between your personal and professional life. She continues, “if the pendulum swings more towards one side, you will spiral into stress, irritability and frustration.” Which brings you to the importance of freedom — learn to let go and give people the chance to do things on their own — delegate work so you can manage your projects better and your employees can feel appreciated. “Decide on the what but let people decide the how,” she says.

These tips for management success are just a start, but they’re tried and tested by some of Philips’ best leaders. One final bonus tip that all our leaders above agree on is — enjoy what you do, always look for ways to make it engaging, fun and memorable, for you and your team — it’s a recipe for success and managing challenges.

Are you ready to create a legacy at Philips? Check out available executive and management roles here.