Having joined Imesa in June, the new manager brings with her a modern and inclusive vision of people management. We met her to find out her first impressions and understand what news we can expect in the coming months.
“I believe that the true value of a company lies in people: listening to them, making them grow and enhancing them is the starting point of everything.”
Michela: You joined Imesa last June: how have these first few months been with the company?
Sara: I found a really welcoming company. I immediately sensed everyone’s willingness to collaborate, and their desire to work together on what truly felt like a shared project. What struck me most was the openness to dialogue and the ability to welcome even different perspectives. From this point of view, my balance is absolutely positive. We have laid foundations that make me look with curiosity at what the development of the projects we have in place and future ones may be.
Michela: Before arriving at Imesa you gained several experiences in the HR world: which ones have trained you the most and how are you applying them in your current role?
Sara: Michela, thank you for this question. Thinking back to my professional career, I feel deep gratitude for all the experiences I have lived and that have contributed to making me who I am today from a professional but also a human point of view.Among my most significant experiences was ISTAO, the management school in Ancona, which introduced me to the Marche region’s entrepreneurial landscape and inspired me to embrace Olivetti’s vision of the enlightened entrepreneur, instilling in me the importance of working with meaning in what we do.
Then came my brief stint at Ariston Thermo Group, a well-structured and solid HR organization, and my experience in La Spezia, a “human-scale multinational,” which taught me the importance of working with passion and putting people first.
Finally, my experience in the HR consulting division of Synergie brought me back to my hometown and gave me the opportunity to work on empowerment and development projects, topics I hold dear.
I believe it is precisely this mix of experiences that allows me to bring value to my daily work today, combining professionalism, passion, and a focus on people.
I believe that it is precisely this mix of experiences that allows me today to bring value to my daily work, combining professionalism, passion and attention to people.
Michela: How do you interpret the concept of people engagement and how do you think the sense of belonging and participation of employees in Imesa can be further strengthened?
Sara: For me, engagement means making people feel truly involved in what they do. In Imesa I have found a strong sense of attachment and pride in being part of the company, shared by everyone. What strikes me most is seeing how this feeling is transmitted to new colleagues, creating a climate of belonging and participation that continually grows.
Michela: What are your priorities from the point of view of people management and development and what is, in your opinion, the main challenge for the People department in the coming years?
Sara: I think one of the priorities is precisely to preserve and cultivate this sense of belonging. Certainly the technical skills and know-how, which we have internally, are fundamental assets but I really can’t imagine an Imesa without the face and passion of the people who work there today. And this is done first and foremost through listening, dialogue and openness that facilitate connections between people. Then there is the whole issue of the company’s growth path. We have challenging business goals for the coming years and it’s a matter of understanding how we can support people so that they are increasingly protagonists of change. I’m thinking about the impact of new technologies, but also the new processes we’re introducing, which in some cases require a shift in the mindset with which we approach them.
Michela: The role of People Manager isn’t always easy: managing people requires balance and sensitivity. Which aspects of your role do you find most complex and which are most rewarding?
Sara: In addition to the technical aspects that require attention and preparation, working with people certainly brings with it a unique complexity. It is about establishing human connections that facilitate the management of situations that can also be complex and delicate. The most beautiful moments for me are when I manage to get a smile to dissolve possible tensions and find a way to arrive at shared solutions. I think it’s one of the things that makes me feel good the most and reminds me why I love my job.