Lidia Hoop: Responsibility begins when you let others grow

Lidia Hoop, Körber site: Grabs, Switzerland 

Fifteen years ago, I started as a design engineer. 
At Körber in Grabs, Switzerland. 

I didn’t just work on projects. 
I experienced something that has stayed with me ever since: trust.  

My manager gave me freedom. 
Responsibility. 
The space to make my own decisions.  

That appreciation stayed. 

A few years later, I took on an additional role: 
training apprentices in design engineering.  

And I quickly realized: 
working with young people moves something.  

Their perspectives. 
Their openness. 
Their energy.  

It felt right. 
It felt like more.  

When I was offered the cross-functional role as Head of Vocational Training, 
one thing was immediately clear to me:  

“This is an opportunity.” 

But my heart asked questions. 

Fifteen years in design. 
My team. 
My colleagues. 
My manager.  

Could I really let that go? 

Sleepless nights followed. 

And a very human thought: 
“What if I can’t do it?” 

My colleagues supported me. 
The management believed in me. 

My environment gave me confidence. 

And with that came a realization: 
I wasn’t leaving something behind. 
I was building something new. 

Since May last year, I’ve been leading Vocational Training at our site in Grabs. 

A move into completely new territory. 

New processes. 
New structures. 
New responsibilities.  

And at the same time: 

New energy. 
New purpose. 

I still enjoy coming to work every day. 

Even if I sometimes wish 
a day had more than 24 hours. 

The role fulfills me. 
Challenges me. 
Moves me. 

Not in the sense of care alone. But in the sense of: 
Guiding. 
Supporting.
Preparing them for real life.  

And when our apprentices walk out at the end of their training with confidence, I know: 
This is exactly why I do what I do.