Taking responsibility opened new doors for Lisa
In five years, Lisa Bengtsson has gone from electrical fitter to acting Production Manager at Holtab. Her journey has been about taking initiative, learning new things and helping others succeed.
"I want to be a role model in the small things. What we do every day matters more than you might think", she says.
After many years working in an electronics store and in machinery rental, Lisa joined Holtab at the age of 35. She knew very little about the company at the time and started as an electrical fitter in low-voltage production within the Project division.
She quickly became part of the 20-strong team, and after just over a year she became interested in developing new skills.
"I was given the opportunity to become a lead fitter. The role means leading the work and supporting your colleagues, but without the personnel responsibility of a traditional manager", says Lisa.
Lisa’s tips for developing your career
- Take initiative, show your interest and make your voice heard.
- Be a role model in your everyday work – people notice it more than you think.
- Build your network and take the opportunity to get support from a mentor.
Enjoys leadership roles
Today, however, she does have managerial responsibility in her role as actingProduction Manager for low-voltage production within the Project division. This means that her focus is now entirely on people and strategic matters.
It is a role that suits her well. She has also held different types of leadership roles with previous employers.
"I’m always looking for new challenges, and it feels great that my manager believes in me and has given me this opportunity. I have a strong drive of my own, but I also think we’ve had a shared drive within the team that has helped make our projects successful."
Show that you are interested
Lisa says that Holtab has always encouraged employees to develop their skills and try new roles. But ultimately, the decisive step has to come from the individual.
"In the end, you have to show that you’re interested and have the courage to take the leap."
She also says that having an external mentor for a year was a great help. She was matched with her mentor through a mentoring programme run by TechTank.
"I received honest feedback and gained many new perspectives. Having a network is really important. It’s not just about getting a pat on the back – you also need people who are prepared to tell you things that may be uncomfortable to hear. That’s when you develop the most", Lisa concludes.
