Sabine Hönigsberger has been with Erste Bank for 14 years, where she currently leads the Corporate Banking Division. For her, choosing between family and career has never been an option – she wanted both. Sabine has a teenage son, and balancing her professional role with family life requires strong negotiation skills, a good dose of patience and lots of #believeinyourself.
© Marlena König
What was your #believeinyourself moment?
For me, #believeinyourself moments happen quite often in both my personal and professional life. Although I must admit that, at present, the private #believeinyourself moments have taken a front seat, providing me with the strength and resilience I need to navigate the professional challenges that come my way.
One morning, my son decided to stay in bed instead of going to school. After several failed attempts to persuade him otherwise, he defiantly retorted “What are you gonna do about it?” I realised that he was right: I was at a loss and neither threats nor rewards would make a difference. Here I was, a professional capable of closing major deals with the most demanding of customers, and yet in the face of this domestic standoff, I didn’t know what to do. I felt powerless.
How did you cope with this situation?
The key was maintaining my composure. I had to learn to stay calm in such situations – for my own sake and to preserve my relationship with my son. It was important for him to understand that he could make mistakes, but he also had to face the consequences.
Now, he’s back in school and his grades are improving. He is very independent, athletic, interested in many things and has a strong character – qualities any mother would wish for. I am very proud of him, but he also tests my limits sometimes.
© Marlena König
© Marlena König
Have you also experienced a professional #believeinyourself moment?
I have indeed. I was the head of an industry team in Large Corporates and worked part-time, 35 hours. I felt that I had struck the perfect balance between my career and family life. My team and I worked very well together and we achieved many shared successes. Everything was just right for me. But then the position of Head of the Corporate Banking business area became available, and I had the opportunity to apply for this new role. I struggled with myself. Should I really step out of my comfort zone, when everything was going so well? I pondered over the implications for my son, my flexibility in the new role, and the support I could expect from my husband.
And what was your decision?
It really boiled down to #believeinyourself – choosing to do something for myself, with the conviction that we – my family and I – would all adapt and thrive. I applied and got the job. I’m very happy with my decision today! It’s incredibly rewarding to see how my team is developing and how successful we are. We also make this work as a family because every one of us pitches in. Everything is going great!
Why are mothers great in leadership roles?
Mothers are good at completing tasks efficiently and within tight schedules. This requires discipline and organisational skills. The majority of women are empathetic, allowing them to understand and resolve conflicts among colleagues effectively. Unfortunately, not enough women have the confidence to step into leadership roles. What we need here is more #believeinyourself. Thankfully, our company offers a lot to help women advance in their careers: company kindergarten, home office options and trust based working hours..
Have you also experienced a professional #believeinyourself moment?
I have indeed. I was the head of an industry team in Large Corporates and worked part-time, 35 hours. I felt that I had struck the perfect balance between my career and family life. My team and I worked very well together and we achieved many shared successes. Everything was just right for me. But then the position of Head of the Corporate Banking business area became available, and I had the opportunity to apply for this new role. I struggled with myself. Should I really step out of my comfort zone, when everything was going so well? I pondered over the implications for my son, my flexibility in the new role, and the support I could expect from my husband.
And what was your decision?
It really boiled down to #believeinyourself – choosing to do something for myself, with the conviction that we – my family and I – would all adapt and thrive. I applied and got the job. I’m very happy with my decision today! It’s incredibly rewarding to see how my team is developing and how successful we are. We also make this work as a family because every one of us pitches in. Everything is going great!
Why are mothers great in leadership roles?
Mothers are good at completing tasks efficiently and within tight schedules. This requires discipline and organisational skills. The majority of women are empathetic, allowing them to understand and resolve conflicts among colleagues effectively. Unfortunately, not enough women have the confidence to step into leadership roles. What we need here is more #believeinyourself. Thankfully, our company offers a lot to help women advance in their careers: company kindergarten, home office options and trust based working hours..
© Marlena König
What advice do you have for mothers who want to pursue a career?
Having a reliable support system in your private life is crucial for balancing a career and motherhood. This provides the kind of scheduling flexibility that is required for leadership roles, particularly those requiring interaction with customers. A capable, independent team that you trust and an understanding manager are essential. Because you need to learn to relinquish control and entrust tasks to others when your own schedule becomes overwhelming.
However, you don’t need to strive for perfection in every task but focus on ensuring that the outcomes are accurate and of high quality. That’s what matters most. Equally important for me is finding time for myself. I recharge by doing sports four times a week. That’s a routine from which I draw strength. And my son continually reminds me that composure most definitely is a virtue, allowing me to stay calm in challenging situations. Because that’s where true strength lies, and it’s also the best management training you get!
And last but not least, finding joy in what you do is key. So, #believeinyourself and go for it!