International women’s day 2018: interview with Dorit Schindler, Zalando SE

Frazer Jones is proud to be supporting International Women’s Day 2018. We have interviewed a series of our female clients asking them how they are pressing forward for women’s gender parity #pressforprogress

Frazer Jones interviewed Dorit Schindler, Head People & Organization, Zalando SE

Past Progress

If you could tell your younger self one thing what would it be and why?

Follow your heart and your dreams, don’t listen to the advice of the “Berufsberater” at the Job Center. Mine basically told me that I might likely be unemployed if I study psychology. This job is taking me nowhere he said.

What action or decision are you most proud of making in your lifetime?

Taking on my first (big) leadership responsibility, jumping into ice-cold water at a young age. I always felt “too young” for the jobs I had, but I always had great mentors who helped me and supported me a lot.

If you had to start your career from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

It sounds strange, but I would change nothing. I am so grateful for all the people I was able to meet, for all the things I learned and for all the industries and cultures I was able to experience. Maybe only that I should have travelled the world right after school and before I started studying.

Present Progress

Of the people that inspire you, what character traits do they have which you admire?

Anyone that is egoless. Although they may be super smart and intelligent, they always think “people first”. They care and they have a vision to make the world a better place.

If I were to ask people in your workplace for three adjectives that best describe you, what would they say?

Positive, passionate and solution-focused.

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?

I follow my mission to make the world a better place. Now, being a bit more senior I also love developing others, caring for them, supporting them in their career, challenging them and helping them to leave their comfort zone, whilst being their safety net.

If you were to be a mentor to someone within your profession, what one piece of advice would you give?

Be aware of your strengths and find a job / environment, where you can use your strengths every day.

What is your personal mantra?

Don’t hurry, don’t worry. Trust the process.

Future Progress

What would you say the top 3 skills are needed in order to be successful in your industry?

Innovate, re-think processes and futuristic.

What kind of legacy do you wish to leave behind?

That we need to talk about Gender parity and Gender gap. I wish we would live in a world of real equality. Unfortunately, in many industries and professions we are far behind. I also wish that we could change our educational system, many girls in the world as still disadvantaged. Later on as grown-ups often women still underestimate their strengths, their power and their ability.