INTERVIEW Luiza Müller, Orange Romania: “Empathy, resilience and teamwork can make a difference in the workplace”

“There is a tight link between culture and values, and the way employees perform their work. The culture is a living organism who grows and changes, as people develop their skills and progress. Our values are not simple words posted on the company’s walls, they are what we believe in and what we appreciate when coming to the office or working from home. We stand for fairness, transparency, non-discrimination of any kind, continuous development. Our leadership style is a collaborative/supportive style, encouraging people to come with initiative, put them into practice and learn from their mistakes,” Luiza Müller, HR Director Orange Romania said in an interview for The Diplomat-Bucharest.

“Being an HR professional is extremely challenging, but at the same time extremely rewarding. Market is changing at a rapid pace, it is difficult to bring back people to the office, we have 4 generations working together – with different needs, requests and ways of doing their job. Probably the most complicated times we ever lived. But these are the times in which real HR professionals show their value: understand business, understand people’s expectations, act as a real business partner, as a bridge between the two.”

Share with us several key steps that marked your evolution as a manager in your industry. Which are your development and inspirational pinpoints in your career?

I have started to work in Orange Romania back in 1998 – MobilRom at that time. Having a strong finance background, I have quickly moved from a senior accountant position to Accounting & Tax Director, becoming an Executive Committee member in 2008. Because I always said about myself that “I have my head for figures and my heart for people”, in 2015 I took the challenge of leading the “People Program”, built on 4 verticals (Guide – mentoring, GROW – professional development, GAIN – career development, GIVE- experts community), dedicated to all colleagues in Finance department. I was personally involved in the mentoring program which opened my appetite for this kind of “extra” activity. But, the most inspiring decision I took in my professional career was when I have applied for the HR Director position, 7 years ago. Since then, I have built one of the strongest HR teams on the market, united, professional and very resilient, which makes me proud every day.

If you are to choose just one thing, what is your most valued professional accomplishment so far?

There were/are many projects, programs and initiatives I am very fond of. It is always hard to choose just one. But, my most valued professional accomplishment is that Orange Romania’s HR team was awarded the “HR team of the year” prize in 2021 by HR Club Romania. Since then, we were awarded for many projects related to skills, wellbeing (also awarded by Gen Z Jury), people development etc.

Your company has distinct culture and values. How do they reflect in your team work and which are the most respected values that you appreciate in work ethics?

There is a tight link between culture and values, and the way employees perform their work. The culture is a living organism who grows and changes, as people develop their skills and progress. Our values are not simple words posted on the company’s walls, they are what we believe in and what we appreciate when coming to the office or working from home. We stand for fairness, transparency, non-discrimination of any kind, continuous development. Our leadership style is a collaborative/supportive style, encouraging people to come with initiative, put them into practice and learn from their mistakes.

What kind of leadership is the most efficient in your company and department, what kind of leadership you prefer and how do you apply it? Which are the leaders that inspire you and for what reasons?  

The collaborative leadership is the most efficient leadership style for our employees. All our leaders are supportive and transparent, encouraging people’s development and empowering them. This is also my leadership style and it proved to be the most appropriate over the time, in my 26 years of career in Orange. I am always available, ready to help, coaching and mentoring if needed (and requested). 

I am learning new things every day from all the people around me, my peers, my colleagues, my children. There are people I admire for their determination, ambition, fairness and open mind. And I try to be a better version of myself every day.

In your opinion, what stands at the core of a professional fulfilment?

Just like in the day-to-day life, to feel fulfilled you need to enjoy what you are doing. To put passion, hard work and determination in everything you do. Also, having a strong team around you, that shares the same goals and values, is very important and it gives you “room” to think about the strategy and major stakes. And another important aspect is to be fair to yourself: if you are not enjoying anymore your work, if you don’t find yourself anymore being part of the things happening around you, simply step aside and make a change.

What advises, insights and pieces of wisdom would you like to share with the young professionals working in your industry and field of expertise? What should they focus on, what challenges should they expect?

I would like to share a quote from Charlie Chaplin, which I like very much: “You will never see the rainbow if you are always looking down”. I have always looked up and ahead. I have learned from the past, but I never get stuck there. Past experiences only prepared me for the future. So, stay strong, never quit learning and developing yourself, both personally and professionally, have faith, determination and optimism.

Being an HR professional is extremely challenging, but at the same time extremely rewarding. Market is changing at a rapid pace, it is difficult to bring back people to the office, we have 4 generations working together – with different needs, requests and ways of doing their job. Probably the most complicated times we ever lived. But these are the times in which real HR professionals show their value: understand business, understand people’s expectations, act as a real business partner, as a bridge between the two.

Which are the power words in 2024 for you and what inspires you for this year in your work?

As every year, my power words are: empathy, resilience and teamwork. I know that these can make a difference in the workplace, in our mindset, in what we do. And in the end, they will reflect in our results.