“Good relationships and trust count.”

Elisabeth Lambert, 39, Deputy Chairwoman of the Board at Sparkasse Baden, began her journey at Erste Bank Oesterreich as a customer advisor 17 years ago, following a diverse period of self-discovery at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and the University of Vienna. Her experience ranges from private and corporate customer business to Erste Bank Oesterreich retail financing. Her tasks include product responsibility for the savings bank sector and the management of retail colleagues, business development specialists and branch managers. 

Elisabeth is proof that leadership and responsibility can also work as a mother of two. Thanks to the trust placed in her and the courage of her key managers, she has seized great opportunities and has always taken on new challenges with great joy and passion.

Dear Elisabeth, what is important to you?

It is important to me to maintain a good relationship and respectful interaction with my fellow human beings, colleagues and employees. Being present is essential for me. If you want to change things, you have to be there: talking to people, standing by the coffee machine in the kitchen or working together in the office.

Where have you come from?

I am the middle of three children and my relationships - my family, friends, siblings and also our horses - were very important to me alongside school. I come from a sports and music-loving family that is cosmopolitan and loyal, but also has very different opinions and world views. I learnt early on that acceptance is important for good coexistence.

Professionally, I learnt banking from the ground up. I started 17 years ago in a branch in Hütteldorf, where I looked after private customers. Even back then, being present and available was an important aspect of my job and has been throughout my entire career.
 

When did you learn the most?

In moments that were challenging for me. For example, the first meetings of the Savings Banks Board, where I presented topics from the area of financing to savings bank board members from the sector. That was challenging for me and I was very excited.

It was precisely in these situations that I learnt the most and also learned to trust myself. I realised at the time that not only are the people around me highly educated and experienced, but that I can also make an important contribution with my knowledge, commitment and experience.
 

What are your values as a manager?

Trust makes collaboration and changing together much easier.
 

Participation. Everyone should be given the opportunity to get involved. This is very important and motivating. After all, motivation is not something you can learn, it comes from within. For me, participation is also part of being a manager: either solving problems together or being there when successes are celebrated. That makes me particularly happy!
 

Clear communication is very important to me when we talk about goals and expectations. Even in change processes, it is much easier for everyone involved if the message is clear and it is explained well. That's not always so easy...

How do you create trust?

In order to create an atmosphere of trust, it is important to trust yourself first. I was able to grow up in a very stable and trusting environment and have learnt over many years that your gut feeling is always honest.

But trust also has to do with understanding. When someone feels understood, trust is much easier. That's why it's important for me to be there, to listen and to try to understand the other person. I think others sense that.

What is your connection to Erste Women's Hub?  

The Erste Women's Hub was an anchor for me in very different phases of my career. The most important thing for me was the personal support I received there. Not only with professional issues, but also, for example, with the question: ‘What happens after my parental leave?‘

It was incredibly important for me to have someone in the company who was there for me. People at Erste Women's Hub who supported me at every level, professionally, in terms of content, personally, but also emotionally. I used to be part of a mentoring programme and that's how I came to Erste Women's Hub and have benefited greatly from the networking through Erste Women's Hub. I think so many people can benefit from organised networking. There is often little room for this in everyday working life.

Where are you heading to?

I have been Deputy Chairwoman of the Management Board of Sparkasse Baden since July and am going back to my roots. Three years ago, I moved with my family from Vienna back to Baden and thus to my home town. I am very pleased that my role now gives me the opportunity to help shape many things regionally and to take on responsibility.

In my role as Chief Retail Officer, it is important to me to build good relationships in the region, to network and to make banking even more tangible for our customers. Together with my Management Board colleague Reinhard Keider, I also want to promote a sense of community and togetherness for our employees and act with appreciation and on eye level in my role.

Thank you, dear Elisabeth, for the interview!