Full interview with Robin Kroes
 

How did you get into such a high position at such a young age?

By always trying to do the things I like that give me a lot of energy. I’ve worked for companies I really liked, in jobs I really liked. And when you love your job, it’s easy to put a lot of energy into it. But you also get a lot of energy out of it. Secondly, I always try to find jobs in which I could make an impact. To do this, you always need to be thinking: what is the company trying to achieve and how can I help make that happen? I think it’s this combination of positive energy and wanting to make an impact that senior management notices. And when they see it, they want more of it. So, they offer you an opportunity, and another one, and another one. And before you know it, you're on the board of a company.

What do you love most about your job?

We work in an industry that is changing tremendously. What we need to do as a company, is to figure out what these changes are. What do they mean to us and how can we use them to be successful in this industry? That’s what my role is all about, and it’s what I absolutely love.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

We have 7,500 colleagues working in a constantly changing environment. Together with all these people, we need to maneuver and adapt ourselves constantly in that environment. We need to do this to make sure we can also be successful in the future. How do you get 7,500 people to understand what's happening, to understand how the company can succeed in a changing world, but also to understand how they can contribute to this personally? I think that's the biggest challenge. But also, the biggest enjoyment if it works.

What’s your talent?

My eagerness to learn and my positive mindset to change. I like to dive into things so I can really understand them. And when I do, I want to create a vision that also inspires others to change and to move forward.

What would you have liked to have known as a student that you’re aware of now?

When I was a student, and when I started working, I had this image that people in companies knew exactly what they were doing. They knew what was going on and they had all the answers. And because of that, I sometimes kept ideas to myself, because I thought: people know this already. Now, sitting at the board table myself, I know we don't have all the answers. Nobody has all the answers. And we're looking for great ideas. We're looking for people who share their ideas and thoughts. If I had known this before, I would have been even more outgoing with sharing my ideas. It’s what companies need to succeed.

What is the biggest mistake you made in your career?

I really don't think of careers in terms of mistakes or successes. I have worked in many different roles. Some were great, and I had a lot of fun and a lot of success. Some were exceptionally tough, and I wasn't that successful. But in all those roles I learned a lot and probably even more from the things that didn't go so well. So, I see a career like a journey. For me that journey has led to the position I'm in currently. The biggest mistake you can probably make is to stay in a role where you're not learning anymore. I think that's the moment where you need to get out and do something else.

What is the best advice somebody ever gave you?

One of my managers once said: Robin, think big. I'd rather have you come up with a big idea, go for it and fail, then to be successful in something small and marginal. Nothing happens in the margin. That's something I always kept at the back of my head. And it still helps me making decisions now.

Is there a book you find inspirational?

I started my career as a strategy consultant, but at a certain point I really wanted to do something else. To help me decide, I read a book called Path Finder. The book makes you do a bunch of exercises, and when you're done with it, you really have a good understanding of what drives you and what you like. With that clear perspective, I started looking for jobs and ended up finding a really good one. When I talk to colleagues who are going through the same thing, I always say: read Path Finder. It helped me; it might help you.