Motivating employees: “Not only products can be developed”

But surely it is not only about the process, but also the people?

Of course. You must live this. Working with employees, one finds that the best means of persuasion is to start with a small core group, and this is how I would always do it. It is hard work bringing everything so far, including a love for detail, while helping the employees see the prospects of success. Of course it is also important to let the employees know that such success does in the end not only benefit the company.

Let's assume that you must hire somebody for your management team. Is there a formula that you can immediately recognize and whereby you can say that he or she must bring along this or that?

We once expanded our team in the area of application engineers. We interviewed a real self-promoter. He could do anything, knew everything—along those lines. During the interview it became clear that he would not fit in with the team. Of course, you need employees who lead, who think ahead. But they must be willing to compromise. However, if you have somebody who pushes everyone up against the wall, then this does not fit.

Meet your employees on the same level

Are empathy and integrative quality important?

To be able to relate to other people and listen to them is for me a matter of course. However, all supervisors always met at the end of the business year. This is where we ask where critical thinking is required. As a matter of principle, one has to be willing to listen to the opinion of the people. Only this can produce a complete picture of the situation.

My desk is still upstairs in the open plan office and each production employee can come and see me immediately without an appointment. I walk through the production as often as before when we had to implement significant changes. This is because today I have a good team that carries out the work as I would. I can rely on the team.

It is always important to meet the people on the same level, and to allow them to meet you on the same level.

Sometimes it's just about getting rid of frustration.

Not only products, also processes can be developed

Formula 1 is premium. Does this also include a certain image transfer?

We also see ourselves as premium with respect to our products—this is a prerequisite. However, it is also important to be tops with respect to our processes, and this brings us back to performance and the things one can observe in Formula 1 that enthuse and inspire. They also have a perfect team.

Last question: What was your biggest mistake? Do you have an example?

I've made many mistakes. Those who make no mistakes have never worked. We have changed the production over the years eight or nine times. One could argue why we did not do it this way when we changed first?

Also, if employees were treated the wrong way, then I would call these mistakes that occurred over the years and that I regret today. I apologize to the person if something goes wrong.

However, I have never told an employee anything that gave them the impression that they would be cheated or embarrassed. This is the fastest way to lose the trust of the team.

Would you agree with Confucius and say that those who love their job will never have to work?

If everything would only be stress, then you would go mad. This is not my company. And if I owned it, I would do things the same way.