Taking on her first people leadership role sparked Patricia’s desire to develop as a leader. Through the Leadership Programme, she gained practical tools, valuable insights, and a deeper understanding of how leadership starts with self-awareness. Today, as Site Manager for Moritzburg and Thalheim, she continues to apply those learnings while supporting the growth and development of her teams.
In 2023, I had the opportunity to take on the role of Engineering Manager, leading a team of three direct reports. After about a year in the role, I realised that effective leadership doesn’t always come naturally and that becoming a better leader requires both experience and continuous learning.
When my manager suggested that I join the Leadership Skills Development Programme (LSDP), now known as the Connected Leadership Programme, I was excited about the opportunity to develop myself further and better support my team.
The programme gave me valuable insights into modern leadership, self-reflection and team development. What surprised me most was how much effective leadership starts with understanding yourself. Through various tools and open discussions with colleagues from different functions and backgrounds, I gained a deeper understanding of my own communication style, behaviours and impact on others.
One of the biggest changes in my leadership approach is that I now spend more time asking questions before jumping to solutions. A question I use regularly is: “What would make it even better?” It encourages discussion, brings out different perspectives and often leads to ideas and improvements that I would never have thought of on my own. I continue to be positively surprised by the creativity and expertise within the team.
The experience gave me both the tools and the confidence to take on my next challenge at MCG. It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and trust myself when new opportunities arise. As a result, I felt ready to take the next step in my career and accepted the opportunity to become Site Manager for Moritzburg and Thalheim in 2025.
Curiosity. Confidence. Courage.
These three words capture what the programme unlocked for me: the curiosity to seek different perspectives, the confidence to trust my abilities as a leader, and the courage to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
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