“You don’t have to be successful to be happy, but you do have to be happy to be successful”

In our Diversity@NORMA series, we highlight the diversity of employees who work at NORMA Group. In 2021, the series focuses on NORMA Group’s female employees. Female colleagues from a variety of departments and countries report on their professional and personal experiences and provide insight into their wishes for the future.

Elisabete Brandao is HR Business Partner at NORMA Group’s Lifial site in Portugal. In this interview, she talks about her passion for her job and her hopes for the future.

What woman has had the greatest impact on you in your life, and do you have any professional role models?

There has never really been that “one woman” in my life who has influenced me. I have been influenced by a lot of great and unique women from my immediate surroundings – from my family and my circle of friends They have helped me to become the person that I am today. Professionally, many different people and their careers have inspired and motivated me. From them I have learned to always continue to develop myself as well as to learn and grow from mistakes. This has allowed me to continue to progress professionally.

Why are you professionally where you are today? And what does your career mean to you?

I am here today because I love my job. I am convinced that if we love what we do, both in our personal and professional lives, and are passionate and driven about it, we will live happy and fulfilling lives and achieve outstanding results. I get up every day with a smile and look forward to my work and my colleagues. We have a great team here at the NORMA Group site in Lifial, Portugal. The following always holds true for us in all departments: People, their safety and satisfaction come first.

What social changes have occurred over the course of your career?

I have now been working in HR for more than 14 years. The expectations employees have of employers in particular have changed over the past few years. People today don’t just look for a job because of the salary, they are also looking for fulfillment. For employees, job satisfaction and appreciation are becoming increasingly important. This so-called work-life balance is playing an ever greater role and companies around the world should increasingly adapt to it.

What are your hopes for the future? And do you have any advice for all women?

I would like to see the importance of employee satisfaction and happiness reflected in more corporate strategies. We all know today that satisfied employees are much more productive than dissatisfied ones.

My advice to all women is this: You don’t have to be successful to be happy, but you do have to be happy to be successful. So find a job that fulfills you and makes you feel happy – and live your dreams.