“When life speeds up, slow down.”

As head of crisis management, I ensure that we at Swisscom identify group-wide risks at an early stage and develop strategic plans that will prove effective in the event of a crisis. However, the power lies not in the planning, but in the doing. Which is why we devise and run regular training sessions as a team to prepare for crisis scenarios. And I invite special experts along – such as a fighter jet pilot, who explains how he makes decisions under pressure when in the cockpit. Changes of perspective like these are very useful.

My aim is to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I listen, consider and act with care. To succeed, I need a cool head, courage of conviction and composure – even when things are against me.

When I’m out walking in the woods with my Labrador, Oona, my mind can take a break. That is my opportunity to find the peace and clarity I need when it really matters. It is also clear to me that no one should be irreplaceable – any other approach is flawed.