An Interview with Cornelia: Leadership and Equality at meteocontrol
On the occasion of International Women's Day, we take a look at the inspiring career paths and personal passions of our female employees at meteocontrol. Today's focus: Cornelia, our Head of Order Management & Logistics. With over two decades of experience in international sales in the technology sector, Cornelia not only enriches her team at meteocontrol with her extensive expertise but also shares an extraordinary passion outside of work: Argentine Tango. In this interview, Cornelia shares her experiences, challenges, and the joy of working at meteocontrol, as well as insights into how she combines career and personal passions.
mc: Cornelia, you have been with meteocontrol for 5 years and have made impressive progress during this time. Can you describe your journey to us and what led you to your current position?
Cornelia: Of course, I'd be happy to. Before joining meteocontrol, I spent about 20 years in international sales, always in the technology sector, dealing with technically complex products. I started at meteocontrol in 2019 as a Team Lead in the Order Management & Logistics department, which I have been heading since 2020. My career here at meteocontrol is the result of my qualifications and my long-standing experience. However, it's also due to the structural conditions within the company that have propelled me forward in this manner.
mc: What challenges have you had to overcome in your career?
Cornelia: Definitely, the biggest challenge was managing my role as a young single mother and provider along with my professional career. 20 years ago, childcare options were dismal, and flexible working models like home office were hardly widespread. Looking back, it was that time that makes me an expert in crisis and time management today. (laughs)
mc: Your role as the head of the “Order Management & Logistics” department is certainly challenging. Can you tell us more about it?
Cornelia: I am proud to lead a team that processes over 8,000 orders annually. We are responsible for ensuring that our products and services reach our customers worldwide. This requires continuous training and coordination with other departments to export in compliance with regulations. My main task is to ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction, which is achieved through a strong team and continuous process optimization.
mc: What motivates you the most in your leadership role?
Cornelia: The opportunity to make a difference and be creative is what motivates me the most. I greatly appreciate the latitude and solution-oriented attitude of my team. It brings me joy to see how we overcome daily challenges together.
mc: How does meteocontrol support women and promote equality?
Cornelia: At meteocontrol, I experience gender equality as a matter of course. From my perspective, there is no need for special programs for women because equality is lived here. Flexible working and the option to work from home, for example, support everyone equally in the workforce.
mc: How has gender equality and diversity evolved in your career and at meteocontrol?
Cornelia: This development is remarkable for me personally and for meteocontrol alike. In my career, I've observed how attitudes towards gender equality and diversity have changed. It's encouraging to see that nowadays, fathers actively take parental leave and still advance their careers. This flexibility was unthinkable in the past and indicates significant progress in the workplace. At meteocontrol, we actively commit to gender equality and diversity. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, background, or life situation, can fully realize their potential. It's an ongoing process, but we see positive changes and are committed to continuing to work towards an even more inclusive work environment.
mc: The role of diversity and inclusion is a central theme in today's working world. How do you view its importance at meteocontrol?
Cornelia: Diversity and inclusion are crucial to me, and I'm pleased to see that meteocontrol actively promotes this. Our diverse workforce, consisting of colleagues from various cultural backgrounds, enriches our daily work life and significantly contributes to our innovative strength. We are convinced that diverse teams find more creative solutions and are more successful in the long term.
mc: What challenges do you see for women in the tech and energy sector?
Cornelia: In a male-dominated industry like ours, it's challenging to maintain balance: In my opinion, it's important for women to retain their femininity alongside their professional qualifications and structured methodology without having to conform. meteocontrol creates an environment that fosters authenticity, supporting this balance.
mc: What advice would you give to women aspiring to a career in the technology sector?
Cornelia: Be confident and do not undersell yourself. I've often observed women tend to underestimate their abilities, especially in male-dominated fields. This can have several causes, such as societal expectations, the lack of visibility of female role models, or experiences with prejudice and discrimination. Therefore, it's even more important to be visible and actively communicate about one's achievements.
mc: How do you actively promote equality within your team as a leader?
Cornelia: Equality is a given for me. My team is gender-diverse, and I make no distinctions based on gender when it comes to evaluations.
mc: Cornelia, aside from your role at meteocontrol, is there another passion that drives you?
Cornelia: Absolutely, that would be dance. In particular, I am fascinated by Argentine Tango. I even teach tango in my spare time now. Dance not only allows me to creatively express myself but also provides a valuable balance to my professional life.
mc: How does this passion influence your work at meteocontrol?
Cornelia: Dance and leadership have a lot in common, especially with Argentine Tango. This dance is 100 percent improvised and based on leading and following, i.e., non-verbal communication, which requires a lot of empathy. This dynamic also flows into my work, where I always strive to promote harmony and understanding within the team.
mc: What advice would you give to others looking to balance career and passion?
Cornelia: It's important to give space to your passions. They enrich not only our personal lives but also our professional presence and competence. At meteocontrol, I experience how both can go hand in hand.
mc: Thank you for the conversation and insights, Cornelia. Your experiences are sure to inspire many, not just at mc.
If you would like to become part of the team, take a look at our vacancies: www.meteocontrol.com/en/career/our-jobs
