Hello Denise, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today and share more about yourself and your work at Zalando in Leipzig.
I was born in Leipzig and have always lived here in Leipzig. Since May 2018, I have been working at the Zalando Outlet Store in Leipzig and recently advanced to the role of ASM, where I collaborate with the cash register and the men's department.
It sounds like your role as ASM is as diverse as the fashion offerings at the Zalando Outlet - how would you describe your role?
My role includes processing evaluations, administrative tasks, and steering store layouts. To ensure smooth operations for customers and colleagues, I am also constantly working on process improvements. Additionally, counting cash registers and planning employee training sessions fall within my responsibilities.
How do you identify the purpose of your work?
I see the purpose of my work as creating a positive customer experience and supporting the team to be successful together.
What do you like most about your job as an ASM?
Working closely with many different, diverse people in a large, dynamic team makes my job special and requires flexibility in everyone's approach, as teamwork is a quality that each of us should bring or learn here. Teamwork means appreciating and utilizing the diversity in the team and finding solutions together.
In addition, my job involves close customer contact and facing new challenges or situations every day. Flexibility is routine for us.
How do you approach teamwork and flexibility?
Teamwork and flexibility are essential qualities in our team of almost 40 people. Flexibility is part of our routine, and teamwork means appreciating diversity in the team and finding solutions together.
What does diversity mean in your team?
The diversity in our team is an enrichment that allows us to learn from each other and utilize different perspectives.
What do you think are the main reasons talent is attracted to your teams?
In our team, there is good communication, teamwork, and collaboration on an equal footing.
What advice would you give to others willing to do what you do?
One must be honest and open to new ideas. It is also important to have a passion for work and constantly changing, often new tasks.
Courage for change is necessary, and you should keep your curiosity. It’s important to stick to one's own ideas but also engage with many people and their opinions - it’s the balance between adaptability and assertiveness that leads to success.
What is a challenge for you in your journey to become a better leader, and what do you wish you would have known sooner on your journey to become a leader?
It can be a challenge to meet all tasks equally and with the same priority. Perseverance pays off - looking back, I can say that I wish I had known that earlier.
As a leader, where do you draw your inspiration from?
I find inspiration in my leadership, in podcasts, and from my own life experience.
