#58 - Miriam Rabung | Chief People Officer at Westwing
Feb 21, 2024
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Discover Miriam Rabung's journey from HR Generalist to Chief People Officer at Westwing, overcoming imposter syndrome, fostering psychological safety, and addressing mental health challenges. Explore the importance of psychologist support, empowerment, and inclusivity in the workplace. Learn about recommended guest, Björn, Chief People Officer at Materiza, for valuable insights on workplace culture and industry dynamics.
Empowerment fosters a workplace of trust and collaboration where individuals drive change autonomously.
Miriam's journey showcases progression from HR generalist to Chief People Officer through challenging roles and strategic initiatives.
Strategies to overcome impostor syndrome include accepting challenges, personifying doubts, and fostering psychological safety through open communication.
Transparency about mental health challenges destigmatizes the topic, empowering employees to prioritize well-being and fostering a supportive work environment.
Deep dives
Empowering Leadership Philosophy
Empowerment is at the core of creating a workplace where authority gives way to inspiration and empowerment. The focus is on allowing individuals the freedom to take risks, voice their ideas, and drive change autonomously. A workplace where every person feels empowered and valued contributes to a culture of trust and collaboration.
Career Growth and Leadership Journey at Westwing
Miriam's journey at Westwing showcases her progression from an HR generalist to Chief People Officer over seven years. She thrived in challenging roles that allowed her a steep learning curve and the opportunity to lead exciting projects. By taking on responsibilities and pushing for strategic initiatives, she transitioned into leadership roles, proving her capability to succeed.
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome and Promoting Psychological Safety
Dealing with impostor syndrome, Miriam shared strategies like accepting new challenges first and learning along the way. She attributed her success to saying 'yes' to opportunities, even amidst self-doubt. Additionally, she personified her doubts to overcome them and leveraged facts of accomplishments to silence her inner critic. Miriam emphasized a supportive work environment, encouraging open communication, learning from mistakes, and addressing issues like bullying and discrimination to foster psychological safety.
Impacts of Transparent Leadership on Mental Well-Being
Transparency about personal challenges aids in authentic leadership, fostering a culture of trust and support. By openly discussing mental health challenges, Miriam paved the way for destigmatizing these topics, empowering team members to prioritize their mental well-being. Initiatives like mental health days and partnering with mental health platforms reflect a commitment to supporting employee well-being.
Future Goals and Alignment with Organizational Vision
Miriam's future goals align with Weswing's vision for continued growth and success. She seeks to deepen leadership skills, industry understanding, and personal connections while contributing to the company's evolution. Professionally, her aim is to support Weswing's ongoing success and development. Personally, she anticipates a milestone of getting married in March, highlighting a balanced focus on personal and professional growth.
Recommendation and Networking
Miriam recommends Björn, the Chief People Officer at Materiza, for future podcast interviews. She highlights his expertise in building workplace culture and navigating the fashion industry. As a close peer, he offers valuable insights for the podcast. Miriam suggests connecting with Björn, emphasizing that he is approachable and open to such opportunities.
Closing Remarks and Networking Follow-ups
The podcast episode concludes by expressing gratitude for the insightful discussion and well wishes for Miriam's upcoming wedding. The guest recommends reaching out to Björn for the next podcast and offers to facilitate the introduction. The episode ends on a positive note, reinforcing the connections made and the value of networking.
Promoting Female Empowerment and Inclusivity
As a female leader, Miriam emphasizes empowerment and inclusivity in the workplace, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for women's career advancement. Initiatives like childcare facilities and internal support programs reflect Weswing's commitment to supporting female employees. With over half of senior leaders being female, Weswing demonstrates a focus on gender diversity and empowerment.
Miriam Rabung is Chief People Officer at Westwing, bringing extensive experience in all relevant HR and organizational disciplines. Miriam has been with Westwing for 7 years, leading the company's People & Culture teams during the hyper-growth phase, enabling and scaling growth, and providing crucial support in challenging times through decisive change management. Westwing is Europe's number one in Beautiful Living e-commerce, achieving a revenue of 431 million euros in 2022 across 11 countries. As the premium one-stop-shop for design enthusiasts, it offers a unique brand experience with a curated assortment from the Westwing Collection and the best design brands. The integrated platform combines shopping, club sales, offline stores, B2B services, and Westwing Studio. The team consists of 1,800 experts working together towards the shared goal: "Excite people to create homes that unlock the full beauty of life.
Shownotes 00:00 - intro & context 04:08 - From HR Generalist to Chief People Officer at Westwing 09:48 - Overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt 14:58 - Psychological safety 21:18 - Mental health challenges 25:48 - Mental health challenges 26:18 - Comparing and rating results of assessments
