Lucia Iliescu Brădean, Continental în România: In HR, identifying and nurturing talent is paramount

2024 is a special year for THE DIPLOMAT-BUCHAREST business media platform. This year, we mark 20 years‘ anniversary on the media market in Romania, as well as 10 years since we established and developed OUTSOURCING-TODAY and the series of events dedicated to people in companies: PEOPLE EMPOWERING BUSINESS (Forum & Awards).

Therefore, for 2024’s anniversary year, we aim at shining a light to the best-in-class professionals in the Romanian economy. This anniversary year creates the editorial opportunity to address and spotlight what makes people to be the greatest and the most valued resource of a company as well as highlighting the personal approach on developing a strong career path and make a significant mark to broader business community.

To shine a light on the proffesional and career path and vision, we talked to Lucia Iliescu Brădean, Country HR Manager Continental în România

Share with us several key steps that marked your evolution as a manager in your industry. Which are your development and inspirational pinpoints in your career?

I’ve always considered the role of an HR Manager as a profound responsibility, and this has been a guiding principle throughout my career. In this capacity, with the decisions that you take, you have the power to influence people’s careers and lives significantly.
Here are three key points that have guided me:

1. Lifelong Learning: It’s important to keep learning, even after reaching a certain level in your career. Staying updated with the latest trends, anticipate changes and understanding the people around you is crucial. This commitment ensures that you can lead with insight and adaptability.
2. Avoiding Judgment: In the realm of HR you meet a wide variety of scenarios, both professional and personal. To excel in this field, you must approach each situation with impartiality, refraining from judgment.
3. Professional Ethics: Always following ethical guidelines is vital in making fair and trustworthy decisions.

These principles have shaped my career and helped me contribute to the company’s success by supporting and empowering our employees.

If you are to choose just one thing, what is your most valued professional accomplishment so far?

One of the greatest accomplishments is to have contributed to the professional evolution of numerous colleagues. It’s been amazing to see people who started as interns move up to important positions, even into management. In HR, identifying and nurturing talent is paramount.

Watching team members succeed and find happiness in their work motivates me. It gives me the energy to keep going, to start new projects, and to keep investing in our people.

Empowering others is what HR is all about, and it’s a great feeling to be part of their success stories. This accomplishment shows how investing in people can make a big difference, both for them and for the company.

Your company has distinct culture and values. How do they reflect in your team work and which are the most respected values that you appreciate in work ethics?

The most important value that guides me and our team is integrity— doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. This principle is the foundation of our work ethics and is reflected in every decision we make. Under the umbrella of integrity, trust and freedom to act are two values that Continental upholds and that I particularly appreciate.

Trust is the cornerstone of our teamwork; it allows us to rely on one another and collaborate effectively. The freedom to act empowers us to take initiative and be proactive in our roles, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.

What is your sentiment regarding the business evolution of your company and department you work in for this year and which are the most impactful trends for 2024?

Our company, like others in the automotive industry, faces a mix of favorable and challenging periods. However, our agility and resilience enable us to navigate these fluctuations successfully.

In terms of HR trends, the rapid and accelerated digitalization stands out as a significant force, not just for this year but also for the next couple of years. This digital transformation is reshaping the way we operate, making processes more efficient and data-driven.

Another impactful trend is the evolving role of HR in employee support.

There’s a growing expectation for HR to provide personalized advice and guidance, addressing both professional development and personal well-being. Employees seek a more consultative approach from HR, one that offers listening, understanding, and career pathing support.

The traditional administrative functions of HR are becoming increasingly automated, allowing HR professionals to focus more on strategic initiatives that enhance the employee experience and strengthen our employer brand.

What leadership style is the most efficient in your company and department, what leadership style you prefer and how do you apply it? Which are the leaders that inspire you and for what reasons?

I personally prefer a blend of situational and transformational leadership, because this proves to be the most effective for empowering teams and fostering innovation.

With situational leadership, I adapt my approach—whether directive, coaching, supporting, or delegating—based on each team member’s experience and needs. This flexibility enables colleagues to build autonomy and achieve their goals confidently. Transformational leadership complements this by encouraging creativity and innovation, motivating teams to propose new ideas and solutions for safer, more sustainable mobility.

Who inspires me? Leaders who possess a clear vision and the foresight to be several steps ahead. These leaders avoid micromanagement, placing trust in their teams and fostering an environment of empowerment.

I also respect leaders who excel beyond my own expertise, as they offer valuable learning opportunities and push me to continuously evolve in my role.

What stands at the core of a professional fulfilment?

In my view, the core of professional fulfillment lies in achieving sustainable results built on ethical foundations. It’s about ensuring that every action we take in HR has a long-term positive impact on the business and the people within it.

Focusing on long-term impact, value addition, sustainability and financial impact, we can achieve a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing our work is making a meaningful and lasting difference. It’s about creating a balance between supporting our employees and driving business success, which ultimately leads to a rewarding professional experience.

What advises, insights and pieces of wisdom would you like to share with the young professionals working in your industry and field of expertise? What should they focus on, what challenges should they expect?

Here are some key insights for young professionals working in HR:

1. Cultivate Active Listening: truly hearing and understanding others is a skill that cannot be overstated. It’s the foundation of effective communication and essential for building trust and rapport.
2. Be Ethical: Let integrity and fairness guide all your actions.
3. Treat Equally: Treat everyone with the same respect and consideration, regardless of their position. Whether it’s a colleague on the shop floor or the CEO, we all have similar motivations and needs.
4. Keep learning: Your education doesn’t end with a degree. Invest in developing skills like emotional intelligence, legal knowledge, and the ability to articulate and defend your point of view.

In terms of challenges, adapt to change – build resilience and be ready for the dynamic nature of HR.

Which are the power words in 2024 for you and what inspires you for this year in your work?

In 2024, my power words are challenge, support, empowerment and adaptation. These words encapsulate the essence of my approach to HR and the workplace environment we always look to create.

My inspiration comes from my team and from the entrepreneurial spirit that defines Continental.

The freedom to implement ideas and the support for professional development motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and finding new ways to empower our team.

These elements combined make for a dynamic and fulfilling work environment, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve together in the year ahead.