My goal was to be a manager by the age of 25 ever since my second year as a trainee. I just made it - 14 days before my 26th birthday. It’s not because I am the sort of person who elbows my way to the front; I’ve never done that. What drives me forward is mostly my network and my results.
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Rico Jacob Larsen, 27 years |
Qualifications: Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, thesis on management and project leadership
Job title: Branch General Manager
Location: Charlottenlund Branch
Experience: Joined the Group in April, 2006. Six years’ previous experience with Nordea |
Motivated by opportunities
I made a conscious decision to say yes to a job with Danske Bank – both because I could see myself working in a large group and because I already had a network in the Group from my studies. For me, working in a large group means that I have better opportunities to develop and advance my career. This is a huge driving force in my life, knowing that there is always a new job and new opportunities at a higher level if I am good enough at what I do.
From Nordea to Danske Bank
Before becoming a branch director at Danske Bank I was a customer adviser with Nordea, another large banking group. I took an in-house management programme and simply waited for a vacancy as a director to come up in a branch of an appropriate size. It just happened to be at Danske Bank, where I became General Manager of the Vangede Branch. Then, on March 1 of this year, I became General Manager of the Charlottenlund Branch, a larger branch with 15 employees.
Dream job
Being a manager is my dream job. I have never been more satisfied with my work. Naturally, the first month was hard and there are still days that are harder than others because this job carries more responsibility. But that is also what makes the work exciting.
Network as opposed to isolation
I was told that being a manager was a lonely job. So I was prepared for that, but actually I don’t feel isolated – probably because I have made it a priority to network from day one. I have built up a network of 10 colleagues I talk with often and 20 that I can call up if I need a sounding board. In both jobs, I have received excellent support from my staff and management colleagues who have all been very good at making me feel at home.
Mentor
I have been given a lot of personal attention and support for my initiatives. Also, I have been encouraged in my career development. For example, I was put on a talent list which meant that I got extra meetings with my boss. A manager from one of the bigger branches was also assigned to me as a mentor to help me develop the skills needed to manage a larger branch. And on March 1, 2008, I became Manager of the Charlottenlund Branch. Thus, in less than two years, the mentor programme and other experiences have led to new challenges.
Change is my driving force
The Bank is constantly moving forward and today I have a completely different job than the one I had when I started in 2006 – mostly because of internal reshuffling. For my part, these changes have been entirely positive. Increased responsibility – including greater autonomy – and shorter lines of communication to the top.