Get to Know: Lucianna Raffaini
Recognizing our Women’s Network leaders during Women’s History Month
The 8th of March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
For this occasion, we interviewed a few of our employees from Whirlpool EMEA Women’s Network to talk about what leadership means to them, who inspires them and what Women’s Network is all about.
Meet Lucianna Raffaini, Finance Director UK&Ireland, one of the Women’s Network Leaders.
Can you tell us about your leadership at Whirlpool and some initiatives you led?
I think leadership is about supporting and enabling my team to do the best they can and to deliver extraordinary results. To deliver a great performance, we must ensure that we all know the objectives and responsibilities on top of the reasons and strategy we will adopt on our journey. Therefore, I invest time in clear, straight talking communication.
I also believe leadership is about exploring the “Art of Possibility” with positive and enthusiastic energy. Everything in life is based on your reference frame. Look at things in a new way and you’ll immediately find a solution. There is always an opportunity to explore!
In addition, I am a firm believer that a team produces more accurate, innovative and practical solutions to problems than individuals.
What is your vision about Women in leadership positions?
Being a great leader is not a matter of gender. The differences in gender, demographics, geographic backgrounds and experience add unique value to Senior Leadership discussions.
Women in leadership positions help the Company to explore other ideas and support the values of Diversity & Inclusion.
Can you tell us about one woman who has impacted your life or that inspires you?
The woman that inspires me is my Mum! I have learned great things from her; however, the most important, the one I’ll never forget, is to believe in myself and follow my dreams. Persevering and being committed to my ideas and beliefs is the most important thing. I never give up! Making a plan and working to it with strong discipline, integrity and respect will increase my chances of succeeding personally and professionally.
What Women’s Network hub are you coordinating and what activities are planning for your hub?
I had the pleasure to be invited to work with the Women’s Network in UK&Ireland Hub. We have 40 active members working on four work streams: Benchmarks & Best practices, Professional Development, Events & Marketing and Field Communications.
To build our plan, we took time to conduct a Company-wide survey to understand what matters to Women at Whirlpool. Our aim was to identify key issues that are triggers for women to leave the organisation and affect their motivation. Based on 100 replies, with key issues identified, we formulated our priorities for 2018. Our plan is based on career development and flexibility. The career development will address the key priorities for men & women retention at Whirlpool.
Why did you join the Women’s Network? What does it mean to you to be a part of it?
I joined the Women’s Network to support a mindset change towards believing there should be no difference because of gender. Both women and men are equally empowered!
I am very proud to be part of this initiative at Whirlpool, that can be the starting point to explore new ideas and facilitate discussion with Senior Leadership about Diversity and Inclusion topics.
Why should our employees be part of the Women’s Network?
New ideas and measures can be more effectively introduced through effective teamwork with the whole organization having a sense of involvement. Teamwork can do much more!
