An Swalens

As a leader you need to find a balance: striving for speed, results and challenging people to do even better, but also being satisfied with other ideas and input.

Giving direction and setting clear goals are some of the key elements that a coaching leader must constantly be vigilant about, according to An Swalens. “I like direct feedback, looking critically at ourselves and the results, expressing conflict and striving for ambitious achievements,” she says. While she also emphasizes that humor and having fun together are important factors for success. It is no coincidence that An Swalens has been nominated for this year’s ICT & Digital Coach of the Year award.

What does inspirational and coaching leadership mean to An Swalens?

“Everyone wants to belong, get recognition and appreciation, and develop themselves. As a coaching leader, I want to empower employees and teams in their work and let them grow, so that they as individuals and as a group contribute as much as possible to the success of our department and the NBB. And ultimately, for society as well.”

“It is important to listen, challenge, trust, connect and let people contribute their strengths towards clear goals, both in the concrete short term and in the longer term. Being a leader is also about finding a balance: striving for speed, results and challenging people to do even better, but also being satisfied with other ideas and input. That’s a learning process. And that inevitably includes difficult choices and decisions. Continuing to question yourself is crucial in this.”

Which personal achievements is An most proud of?

Agility amidst solid reform

“I am proud of the fact that we have strongly reformed our IT organisation based on a clear vision of the value that our IT department can deliver, linked to NBB’s mission. New roles, responsibilities, tasks and competencies came out of it, which required a lot of openness and willingness to change from our IT staff. I am proud of the commitment and expertise that everyone contributes, and of the strong individual growth trajectories of executives and employees in the IT department.”

Digitalisation for colleagues: strong together

“I am delighted with the active role we are taking in digital adoption for all employees in the National Bank and in NBB’s strategy and innovation. I am proud to see how agile we are and how strongly we invest in the future of NBB in order to remain as valuable as possible. This proves that together we are strong to fulfil all objectives, for a reliable and secure digital environment today while continuing to successfully evolve. Our employees can be justifiably proud of their work and impact.”