UNIC: Share some of your daily habits that keep you inspired and motivated.
Eva: A nice lesson of life is the constant attempt to reconcile and manage our different states of mind.
The daily habit of doing sport, even if it is just a few minutes when I get out of bed, gives me energy for the rest of the day. In addition, it is important for me to try and end the day feeling that I have done a great work. As Steve Jobs said: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” and… I really love my job!
UNIC: What is great leadership in your opinion?
Eva: The leader who inspires, who is highly motivated and who spreads their enthusiasm to the team. The leader who pays attention to the business’ needs and to its people, is open to different opinions and takes them into account. The leader who makes their team grow, teaches them, supports them and gives them the right to play an active part. The leader who is flexible and knows how to lead and, when necessary, admits their mistakes.
UNIC: What were the key lessons that you learned while climbing the career ladder?
Eva: Continuous learning and improvement. To advance in your professional career and to improve yourself, you must be eager to continue learning and willing to seek help. I have never been afraid or too proud to accept that I do not know something and / or to ask for advice.
To achieve your goals, you will need to work hard and be smart too, putting effort and determination into your work.
And last but not least, building a great team to work with is imperative. Success can’t be achieved alone. Putting high value on the teams I work with, sharing successes and delegating accountability.
UNIC: Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently?
Eva: Early in my career, I worked on a project with the development team, which fell behind schedule.
Everyone involved had individual goals, and while I stuck to my own and on what I thought was the company’s requirement, it did not occur to me to check in with others, neither to involve them from the first stage of the project.
I learnt that stakeholders’ commitment and involvement are fundamental and I also learnt the value that their participation provides to the success of the project and, as a consequence, the success of the business.
Now, when I work on business projects, I make sure to be aware who are the key stakeholders, to ensure their involvement and to have systematic check-in points with them.
UNIC: Looking back at your career journey so far, what are you most proud of?
Eva: I am proud to have accepted all challenges the company has presented to me, without fear, even if those challenges meant stepping out of my comfort zone, and to have had great leaders who have given me the opportunity and have helped me grow, showing me the way.
UNIC: What have been the biggest challenges for you as a woman leader in the cinema industry?
Eva: Masculinisation of leadership roles is a key reason for gender differences. In the early stage of my professional career, the executive senior job positions in the cinema industry were only covered by men, which made me question, with some concern, if there would be any opportunity for me to fill a relevant role within the company.
It needs to be acknowledged and accepted that such biased mindsets are a result of deep-rooted beliefs, fostered through generations. Despite the fact that this is an urgent need to be addressed, the solution is still far away.
Fortunately, in my career, I have had the luck to have wonderful leaders who have supported my professional development, especially during the last years.
Men and women should help to eliminate barriers to the women development by working with People Departments and allies in leadership roles to influence company policies and promote equity.
UNIC: With such a demanding career, how do you keep the balance between work and your personal life?
Eva: Managing personal and professional time in its most effective possible way and learning to say no. Getting ahead of possible future challenges and be prepared to carry them out, with a plan worked in advance makes me feel comfortable. I also found that having quality personal moments with my family and my friends keeps me energized for my job.
UNIC: You were a mentor in the third edition of the programme. Why do you think mentoring is important? Did you have mentors along the way?
Eva: Cultivating mentoring relationships is extremely rewarding and provides numerous benefits for mentors and mentees.
Through mentoring, mentors can expand their network, gain different perspectives and learn from their mentees, while mentees can grow by tapping into the knowledge and experience of someone further along than themselves and – via mentors’ advice, guidance and opportunities - being supported to achieve their goals.
From a cinema industry perspective, this mentoring program is an amazing opportunity for talented women to be in contact with women leaders from across the cinema sector and promote a culture of change within the industry that values growth and equal opportunities.
I have had during my professional career formal and informal mentoring relationships. Both have been beneficial in helping me make long term-goals and model myself into a better leader.
UNIC: What advice would you give to current mentors and mentees?
Eva: My advice for mentors would be: Listen attentively, advise with humility (your experience counts, but how you expose it makes the difference), push with empathy (realize your mentee's situation before determining the goals and challenges for your mentee).
My advice for mentees would be: Be open and transparent, be ready and take time to prepare your mentoring sessions to take advantage of this valuable time, make the most of this opportunity, and enjoy the journey!