Nominated three consecutive years (2017, 2018 and 2019) for “Staffing 100 Europe Influencer” and the International 50 of the “Global Power 100 – Women in Staffing”, Bettina Schaller is SVP, Head of Group Public Affairs at The Adecco Group.
Bettina Schaller oversees the Group Public Affairs activities of the Adecco Group, encompassing regulatory and policy issues, and the Adecco Group’s engagement in Employers’ Associations and Strategic Partnerships on a global and European scale.
Below are the highlights of the interview conducted between the World’s Leaders and Bettina Schaller:
Brief our audience about your journey as a female leader. What challenges did you have to face to get where you are today?
I had a privileged upbringing, with little hardship. Overall, the resistance I encountered as I climbed up the ladder was manageable. And I did see the setbacks as an opportunity. I am a risk taker, so I know that some decisions might not lead to success. Therefore, I take any setback in its stride.
One challenge that I’ve learnt to manage is to navigate my own self-confidence. I learnt early on that my very strong belief in myself can be seen as arrogance, as being over-the-top and bullyish. Still, to this day, these are negative attributes in a female leader. So I learned to use my confidence in controlled doses. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had unleashed that full potential.
Describe Adecco Groups’ offerings that address the needs of your customers.
The Adecco Group is the world’s leading talent solutions and advisory company, driven by a powerful purpose – to make the future work for everyone. It focuses on the full spectrum of HR solutions that businesses and workers need: from flexible and permanent placement to recruitment, outplacement, outsourcing, and, of course, skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling.
Enlighten us on how you have made an impact in this industry through your expertise in the industry.
My background is in government affairs and policy advocacy. Since I joined the private employment services industry in 2010, my focus has been on carving out the value-add of our services and solutions to well-functioning labour markets. We provide prosperity, security, adaptability, work and, importantly these days, a path through the complex landscape of the world of work. In many countries across the globe, there are misconceptions about the role that we play in a country’s competitiveness. We are often major employers, taking that responsibility on with pride. So I interact with policymakers at all levels to ensure that we work together to unleash our contribution.
What are the challenges you and your team at Adecco Group come across in your day-to-day operations?
These days, the main daily challenges revolve around connectivity and engagement. For the most part, we have been remote for the last 2 years, and my team is spread across the world, just as the 35 000 Adecco Group colleagues are. I have heavily increased my bilateral outreach, making sure that I “check in” on colleagues regularly. And I am very aware of my communication style as so much gets done without human interaction.
What people, what books, what life factors have influenced and impacted you?
I was and still am influenced by people or situations that are “wrong”. To a large extent, witnessing a toxic leader do harm and building my resilience and strategy to counter that has shaped me to a large extent. I am very driven by values, so if I see injustice or discrimination being done, I will speak up. And I will remember how not to act since I see the impact such behaviour has on people and organisations, and ultimately on productivity and outcomes.
There are, of course, also positive role models. The circumstances and life of Nelson Mandela still inspire me.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives Adecco Group.
At the heart of The Adecco Group’s culture are our five core values: team spirit, customer focus, passion, responsibility, and entrepreneurship. Equally valuable is the importance we place on diversity and equal opportunity for everyone working with or through The Adecco Group.
The mix leads to a unique type of colleague, independent of the country from which they operate.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run and what are your future goals for Adecco Group?
I look to build on my current role, using my network and expertise to create value for the group and the world of work ecosystem that I operate in. I have been mentoring and supporting young people in and outside the group for the past decade and made the deliberate decision in early 2021 to heavily raise my voice for women’s leadership topics and join the movement to break down barriers for women in leadership positions once and for all.
What would be your advice to budding Women Leaders?
Allow me to put forward a few elements of advice – one might resonate particularly.
- Think about where your strength comes from and hone in on that—with that: Be honest about what is important to you.
- Communicate / make yourself heard.
- Always think about how you do / can add value.
- Foster relationships.
