Growing Together

The LEJ Hub 4 Her initiative is supported by a strong local community, driven by colleagues such as Corinna Schleier (Managing Director, LEJ Vice President Human Resources) and Christiane Gehb (Communication Manager). Derived from the global initiative for women in leadership, Shift Up A Gear (SUAG), the LEJ HR Talent Management & Development team oversees the local mentoring program and continues to advance it with great dedication. Currently, eight women are participating in the year-long program, which is built on trust, solution-oriented thinking, and regular feedback.

A strong duo

One example of such a mentoring pair is Tatiana Schladitz (LEJ Director HR Services & Systems) and Jennifer Steinert (LEJ Manager Customs Special Processes). Tatiana is not only the patron of the entire program but also personally mentors Jennifer. With over 20 years of leadership experience within DHL Group—first in operations and later in HR—Tatiana brings a wealth of experience and a strong sense for people. Jennifer has been part of the Leipzig Hub since 2013 and, since October 2022, has led the Import Production Special Clearance team.

For both of them, one thing is clear: mentoring is not a one-way street.

“I gain a lot from my exchanges with Jennifer,” says Tatiana. “Through her insights into the customs field, I’ve gained new perspectives on leadership.”

It is also natural that male colleagues participate as mentors—especially since there are still too few women in management positions. However, the selection is deliberate: “Our male mentors are colleagues who have long been committed to equality,” says Tatiana.

Jennifer consciously chose a female mentor—not to exclude others, but to exchange experiences on a more personal level: “I wanted a space where I could openly talk about certain perceptions. For example, I’ve noticed that after meetings I often reflect for a long time on what was said or that I’m sometimes seen as too emotional,” she explains. “That’s why the female perspective in this setting is important to me.”

Emotions as a leadership strength

Through her conversations with Tatiana, Jennifer realized that her empathy is not a weakness but a true strength: “I used to think it might be a disadvantage to be so empathetic, but now I see that this defines my leadership style—and it’s something my team really values.”

Tatiana agrees: “Of course, experience matters, but so do qualities like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and empathy. In my experience, women often possess these traits particularly strongly—but of course, I also know many men who lead this way. Ultimately, it’s about recognizing your own strengths and using them consciously.”

Both women share the same advice for anyone in or aspiring to leadership: “Never hide your light under a bushel—embrace challenges, and don’t be too hard on yourself.”

A program with a future

The success of this pilot project shows that there is a genuine need for personal exchange at eye level—and great potential to empower women on their career journeys. “We’ve already had many wonderful encounters through this program—including with other companies,” says Tatiana.

And so, each mentoring relationship grows individually, while also strengthening a wider network that empowers women at the Leipzig Hub and beyond.