Read The article dedicated to Michela from the magazine “Women in Industry”
Read The article dedicated to Michela from “Women in Industry” magazine Can you please introduce yourself? My name is Michela Lattuada. My brother Nicola, a year older than me, and I have always considered our company as a second home. Our parents, Adelio and Silvana, founded Adelio Lattuada in 1978. Since 2004, after attending several trade fairs around the world with my father since I was very young and spending several summers in the company, I have become an active member of the family company, working hard on a daily basis. I am mainly involved in internal management, including human resources, safety and maintenance aspects. Since the beginning of my career with the company, I have felt a strong need to communicate to the outside world the philosophy and ethics of our work, as well as the passion and determination we employ every day in every decision. For this reason, I also manage all aspects of marketing and communication. Did you ever imagine that you would be in a leadership position in this company when you started your career many years ago? When I joined the company almost 20 years ago, I did so with respect for those who already had extensive experience and who could have taught me a lot. Managing aspects such as safety and working conditions, it was a natural transition to become a point of reference in the family, for the employees. Later, I took a more active role in human resources, a challenging but very rewarding task. What do you consider to be the most influential factor in your success? As in any area of life, respect and empathy are key. Understanding the needs, expectations and difficulties of others is essential. Maintaining a balance in relationships and managing diversity are principles that apply to both internal resource management and customer and agent relations. How would you describe your leadership style and how you lead others? Is it different from that of your male colleagues? As I mentioned earlier, I always try to follow these two fundamental aspects in interactions with others. I think empathy is often a more feminine quality, without wanting to make generalizations. How does it feel to lead men? Is there a specific way to handle this? Personally, I have never had any negative experiences in this regard. I have never perceived resistance from male colleagues, but sometimes I notice that I am misidentified as a man in some email responses. Have there been women leaders in the industry who have inspired you? Without a doubt, my mother has been my main source of inspiration. From the earliest days of the company, she stood by my father's side, helping to make his dream a reality. Her strength, determination and ability to clearly express her ideas are qualities I admire. In your leadership career, what has been the most significant barrier? Have you faced diffculties related to gender? I have never faced any barriers directly related to gender in my career. However, women are often judged more quickly and harshly than men, both by men and by other women. Can you identify patterns you have observed over the years about women in the workplace, and what they might do differently to advance in their careers? Sometimes, some women try to emulate male behaviors, but I think we should focus on our unique strengths. Women can bring diversity and strength to team dynamics by using their natural abilities to better understand and relate to others. Are there advantages to having women in leadership positions? Women can bring practicality and attention to detail to leadership dynamics. Their ability to take a broader view and understand people can improve team cooperation and productivity. In human resources, understanding the strengths and limitations of employees can improve the direction of work. Is there a reason why we don't see many women in leadership positions? Sometimes, it is difficult for a woman to make the decision to devote much of her time to work, especially if it means sacrificing her family. Although the mindset is changing, the idea persists that the mother has to sacrifice her career more than the father when children come along. Can women support other women in organizations? The correct perspective, for men and women, is that of the team. In a group, everyone must move in the same direction and cooperate for common success. In the Lattuada company, with a mainly female team in the administrative and sales offices, there is a strong team spirit, without competition or envy. Do you have any advice for the next generation of female leaders? Focus on your unique strengths as a woman rather than trying to emulate male behaviors. Diversity in a team is a strength that can compensate for the shortcomings of others and lead to better results.
