Embracing change and challenges
Hi, I am Leena Lehti. I joined KONE in June 2016. During the interview, I emphasized: "I want to be an expert—no people management!" and started working as a Design Engineer in a technical expert role. Another thing I mentioned in that very first interview was my desire to be useful. I want to help people succeed in their jobs. At the time, I didn't realize it would be through people management. Despite my initial stance, by 2018, I had taken on my first people leader role as Manager, Electrical Design and Validation. Since starting at KONE, I've held multiple managerial positions including a role as R&D Manager and a dual role as Senior Lead Engineer / Chapter Lead, ultimately leading to my current role as Head of Rellab Europe. So, despite my prior reservations, my role as a people leader has really grown on me.
I want to help people succeed in their jobs.
Transforming from a technical expert to a people-focused role has had its challenges, and at first, I was surprised to see people do what I asked them to do. Turning from a teammate to a people leader was initially mentally challenging. However, I've found that my technical background has helped me support my team in their work, as I understand the issues they are faced with. Although my role nowadays is less technical, people still come to me with technical questions at times. I try to direct them to the right people, as I may not be the best person to help since I’m no longer working on technical matters daily. I don’t miss those aspects of my work per se, but it’s always very exciting when I get to do something super technical.
I've found that my technical background has helped me support my team in their work, as I understand the issues they are faced with.
Lucky chances and hard work
Growing up, a career as an engineer wasn’t my initial plan. I dreamt of studying architecture and applied for it. However, I ended up studying electrical engineering and graduating with an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering in 2010 from Tampere University of Technology. During my first year of studies, I still thought about switching my major, but eventually I found electrical engineering so intriguing that I continued all the way to PhD studies, which I don’t anymore plan on finishing. Maybe I have become more of a people person.
I have been lucky to be in the right place at the right time, but of course, it’s not all luck; I have worked hard.
Finding my career path involved some lucky chances. During my PhD studies, I worked on a research project for KONE. Already then, I thought that the company might be a good place to work someday. Soon after, I came across a KONE job advertisement and I met all the requirements except for prior lab work experience. Despite this, I decided to apply and got the job! Looking back, I find it quite amusing that I now oversee the lab-related tasks I initially lacked experience in. I have been lucky to be in the right place at the right time, but of course, it’s not all luck; I have worked hard.
Challenging and versatile work
As Head of Rellab Europe, every day is different. On a weekly basis, I meet with people to address various topics, which can include HR, finance, safety, our testing equipment, and premises, among other things. I’m often addressing practical issues and providing opinions on various decisions as well as driving continuous improvements of processes. One significant part of my role is approving and releasing all the official laboratory documents about the testing that we conduct.
The versatility of my role keeps me motivated. Additionally, the constant opportunities to develop and grow both as a professional as well as personally have kept me at KONE all these years. The environment has been nurturing, supportive, and encouraging, with plenty of room for development. As a female manager in a male dominated field, I’ve had the luxury of having both supervisors and colleagues who have boosted me and encouraged me to go towards new challenges. I am very grateful to my one of my previous managers Janne Rossi, who was sponsoring me to take new roles.
The versatility of my role keeps me motivated. Additionally, the constant opportunities to develop and grow as both a professional and a person have kept me at KONE all these years.
Over my years at KONE, I’ve experienced many memorable moments, but one achievement stands out: the transformation of the machine lab. During that project, important strides in machine testing safety and process clarity were made, by adding more safety devices such as fences and agreeing clear responsibilities inside the team and with other stakeholders. Improvements like these don't happen overnight and the progress can get lost in the day-to-day activities. However, I remember one yearly review with my manager where he mentioned that we have really come a long way on the laboratory side. That made me stop to think about the starting point and then I felt quite proud of all we had accomplished.
Be yourself and maintain balance
Over the years, I've learned the value of being your authentic self. It's essential to always treat people with respect and not to pretend to know things you don't. Moreover, learning to say no and establish personal boundaries on how much you can take on is crucial. I aim to truly separate my time—at the office, I’m working; on my free time, I’m not. Having my work notifications turned off has really helped. Throughout my entire career at KONE, there was only one time I thought, “Damn, I should’ve received this message earlier.’”
Over the years, I've learned the value of being your authentic self.
Outside of work, I have quite a few hobbies. I have two herding dogs, and we go to herding training regularly. I also foster dogs for an animal welfare association, which definitely takes my mind off work. Spending time hiking and taking pictures in nature is another good way for me to unwind. Two years ago, I took up Japanese martial art, Aikido. I have enjoyed it a lot and met some great new friends along the way! It’s a great way to detach from daily tasks, as it requires full focus, making it impossible to think about anything else during practice. Additionally, knitting has proven to be another great way for me to relax. Not only is it a wonderful hobby during my free time, but it also helps me stay focused during work meetings.
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