Growth Mindsetters around the world: International Mobility at STADA

There are three main reasons: First, I always really liked and was interested in the Sanctions topic as it is always developing according to the geopolitical environment. It is a topic that leaning never stops. Second, I have great colleagues here, and in particular my managers have been very supportive in encouraging me to continue my professional growth by moving from a regionally focused role as Emerging Markets Legal & Compliance Head to the new role of Director Legal Sanctions and AML at the headquarters in Bad Vilbel. Last but not least, I was really looking forward to the new experience of living in Europe.

On a professional level, the move has been a very good step up because I am contributing and learning both at the same time, which is a great combination. On a personal level, it is very enriching to be on a different continent with a wide variety of people and cultures, including learning about your own communication style and interpersonal interactions.

My previous role was very close to the business. The advice I gave to my colleagues had to combine several factors, first integrity, due to the nature of my role, but also be business minded and communicate advice that are simple, straight to the point, and fits the Business’s needs. In addition, the level of our value, Agility, in Emerging Markets was very high. This regional perspective is now helping to continue to act as a true business function. 

On a personal level, my biggest learning has been not to expect people to behave in a way you are used to in your own culture, so don’t take it personally. As an international move is a big step both personally and professionally, my recommendation is to take the time you need to make the decision. Don’t overthink it, of course, but don’t make a purely emotional decision. As I was a 100% sure that I wanted to move to Germany, nothing could stop me from doing so, not even the logistical hurdles that came with the move. I am grateful that STADA has a culture that gives you the space to make these decisions, and leaders who empower you to take the next step.

We only live once, so if you are not happy, change it, and if an opportunity comes along, grasp it! In my case, my new team initially just asked for extra support on a project, but because I loved the responsibility so much, I jumped at the opportunity. Just be alert, because sometimes things come your way, and then you have to take it.

I lacked experience working outside of the UK and was looking for personal growth for myself and my family. Moving to a new environment with different cultures and working styles challenged me to develop my leadership skills.

The move to Serbia was incredibly enriching. It has bolstered my resilience, boosted my confidence in decision making, and significantly improved my communication skills.

Relocating abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone and fosters personal resilience, independence, and adaptability. You learn to navigate unfamiliar situations and become more self-reliant – even simple tasks, like getting a haircut challenged me.

I always try to share my experiences, sharing difficult situations I found myself in, and how I overcame the challenges will help my team to find ways to overcome their challenges. I always believe that our best assets are our people and helping other leaders to recognize the efforts and achievements of their teams, will improve our culture.

Professionally, I've learned that effective communication is paramount, especially in a multicultural setting where language barriers can complicate interactions. We discussed about my first communication failure with my middle name – suddenly I was Mark Anthony Pickles in our STADA IT directory, where even my friends didn’t know about my middle name before. On a personal note, experiencing the initial loneliness of moving alone to another country made me appreciate the support of my family immensely. Delaying my wife's move was tougher than expected but underscored the importance of their encouragement in my career.

Moving to Serbia has expanded my professional network internationally. I’ve got the chance to build relationships with colleagues and professionals from different backgrounds and see many different ways of working. Relocating abroad is an adventure in itself. I’m exploring new cities, eating new foods, and creating memorable experiences along the way. It’s not all just about my career.

I have never imagined myself living in one place for my entire life. This desire for new experiences was the main reason why I decided to move to India five years ago. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, I moved back to Serbia and started working for STADA. Shortly after, I moved again, to Germany.

The opportunity to join the headquarters of a fast growing company like STADA is a step forward for my career and skills development. I recognized that collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds would enrich my professional relationships. In our interconnected world, it is crucial to develop a global mindset, and there is no better way to achieve this than by being part of a global team in a completely new country.

I have developed considerable self-awareness, become more resilient and prepared to face various challenges, whether at work or in my personal life. Living and working as an expat in a new country brings many uncertainties, but it also teaches us how to better manage unpredictable situations and adapt to new environments.

Moving from a country-specific role to a central function has enabled me to better understand and anticipate the challenges that local colleagues face when introducing a new system. Now, as part of the global team, I am able to help bridge that gap. Additionally, transitioning from a functional role to IT has allowed me to combine my focus on processes with technical expertise. This, combined with my educational background and experience from previous roles in other companies, has enhanced my ability to integrate business perspectives with an IT background and reduce the silo effect.

In terms of both personal and professional development, I have realized that I can adapt to any environment. With the right mix of skill development, self-empowerment, hard work and dedication, no goal is out of reach.

It is crucial to take ownership of our growth journey, but equally important to have strong support from our leaders. I have been fortunate to always have managers who have always given me the opportunity to grow, develop, and learn from both successes and failures. This trust and autonomy is critical to the development for any young professional, and I am grateful to have experienced and continue to experience this support at STADA. This is one of the most important leadership lessons I've learned and will apply to the teams I will lead in the future: "Give people the freedom to own their growth."