Ms. Koch, what qualities and character traits define a pioneer?A pioneer should be curious and not just follow the well-trodden path. It is important to actively consider other opinions and perspectives while thinking visionarily about the future in order to anticipate potential changes.And what about the initial spark?Courage is definitely part of it. In the beginning, you have to convince people; often you are in the minority and are testing something yourself. It takes perseverance to consistently stay on course. These qualities are important at UBS and keep coming into play. You should be able to inspire others while also being resilient enough to consistently pursue your ideas.When did you personally have to show courage?In my leadership roles. Specifically, when I took over a small team of five people in Wealth Management, we sat down together and asked ourselves: «How do we want to move forward together in terms of our goals?» We then became one of the first teams in Switzerland to define not only individual goals but also team goals. At the time, we were pioneers in Switzerland for implementing this approach, and doing so took courage. In this setup, everyone individually contributes their performance to the overall team result.«At UBS, pioneering spirit and innovation are actively encouraged.»
That means team spirit is recognized and, where appropriate, rewarded.Exactly.That was about listening. How did that work in practice?We had open discussions within the team. Everyone contributed their perspective. It was important, as a leader, to speak openly with those involved and to take everyone along on the journey as a team.That’s where criticism can become painful or difficult.Constructive criticism is necessary to take the next step forward. It’s an active dialogue. In the end, criticism is nothing more than feedback.