Co-CEO: Collaborative Approach in the Company’s Operational Leadership
#rolemodels
#maleallyship
#ceoactions
At the start of the year, Christel Rendu de Lint and Georg Schubiger assumed their roles as co-CEOs of Vontobel, with a focus on fostering a collaborative and diverse work environment.
They emphasized cross-functional teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity by encouraging diverse perspectives in decision-making and breaking down silos through the “One Vontobel” model.
This inclusive leadership approach contributes to enhance collaboration, innovation, and ensures that diverse ideas thrived, which leads to better outcomes in a fast-paced financial market.
This Best Practice was first published in the Gender Intelligence Report 2024.
Since the beginning of the year Christel and Georg Schubiger have embraced their roles as co-CEOs with a strong commitment to fostering a diverse and collaborative working environment. In today’s fast-paced financial markets, where agility and adaptability are crucial, Vontobel has integrated diversity into its leadership approach to stay competitive and drive growth.
Collaboration: An important success pillar
Collaboration at Vontobel is the foundation for innovation. The company has cultivated a culture that encourages the sharing of diverse ideas, which leads to more creative and effective solutions. By breaking down silos and promoting cross-functional teamwork, Vontobel ensures that different perspectives are heard, considered, and integrated into decision-making processes. This openness is critical in maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly changing market.
In 2019 Vontobel already laid out the foundations for its governance model by introducing the concept of “One Vontobel”, with flat hierarchies and transferring decisions to expert teams.
Innovation at Vontobel is viewed as the key to meeting evolving client needs and staying ahead of industry trends. However, innovation cannot thrive in a vacuum. It requires a collaborative environment where diverse viewpoints challenge the status quo and prevent the pitfalls of complacency and confirmation bias. By embracing diversity of thought, Vontobel ensures that its strategies are well-rounded, resilient, and capable of addressing complex challenges.
Diversity of thought as a catalyst for growth
Vontobel’s leadership understands that just as diversified investments reduce risk in a portfolio, a diverse team reduces the risk of narrow-mindedness and fosters innovation. The company actively seeks diversity in its talent pool, not as an end in itself, but as a means to achieve optimal outcomes. By nurturing independence of thought and encouraging active debate, Vontobel unlocks the full potential of its workforce.
Vontobel’s Co-CEOs, Christel Rendu de Lint and Georg Schubiger advocate for an inclusive environment where every team member feels empowered to contribute their best ideas. This inclusivity is not just a feel-good policy but a strategic approach that ensures the best ideas thrive, leading to better outcomes. The collaborative philosophy at Vontobel, characterized by ownership, foresight and tenacity, is the bedrock of future success.
Vontobel’s leadership emphasizes the importance of clear communication and a strong sense of purpose to navigate uncertainty. In times of uncertainty, keeping teams aligned with long-term goals while remaining open-minded and adaptable is important.
Conclusion
At Vontobel, diversity, collaboration, and innovation are intertwined in a leadership approach that not only drives business success but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and creativity. By valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging ownership, Vontobel ensures that its teams are equipped to navigate the complexities of the financial markets and achieve sustained growth.
For more information about this Best Practice, reach out to the author:
Ana Piubel
Director Diversity & Inclusion, HR Business Management
ana.piubel@vontobel.com
If CEOs are value-driven they make Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion a strategic focus area. By trusting and supporting their leaders to authentically champion these initiatives, the organization is able to foster a positive culture, improve performance, and achieve success.
When leaders are empowered to pursue their beliefs and values, they can lead with authenticity, integrity, and purpose, resulting in positive impacts on the organization.
An honest assessment of what a 'leader' looks like challenges the status quo and creates the climate for women to thrive.
A deep dive into the male and female perceptions of gender equality at work leads to open dialogue, higher engagement and critically: changing the appraisal process.
48% of all PM Switzerland’s management level employees were women in 2020, smashing the target of 40% by end 2022.
Change doesn’t happen overnight but by integrating top & grassroots initiatives @Citi successfully builds an inclusive culture.
Leaders insisting on pay equity and undertaking serious independent analyses builds trust and a culture of inclusion.
"NextWave” holds leaders accountable for creating and embedding an inclusive culture.
The CEO and senior leaders publicly advocate diversity and inclusion as business imperative.