International Women's Day - Interview with our CEO Dr.-Ing. Lisbeth Jacobs

Lisbeth, how do you personally view the role of women in today’s working world?

I have spent my career in engineering, manufacturing, and now bearings. Environments where women were often the exception. When I started, it was normal to be the only woman in the room. That comes with the reality that you are not always immediately taken seriously. You have to fight to be recognized, to be heard and to be trusted with real responsibility.

I had to fight those battles too.

But over time, one thing becomes very clear: competence cuts through everything. People may initially see your gender but they do not ignore performance for long.

What matters is ownership and delivering results. Taking responsibility when things are difficult.

Women belong everywhere in the economy, in engineering, in operations, and in leadership, not as a statement, but because capability is evenly distributed. Unfortunately, opportunity still is not.

Why do inequalities still persist?

Part of it is inertia. Organisations tend to trust what looks familiar.

Part of it is expectation. Women are often tested longer before being fully trusted.

But it is also important to say this: women are not the only group that faces obstacles. Many people encounter barriers for different reasons.

The worst thing you can do is allow that to muzzle you or to retreat into frustration. Complaining does not build credibility, performance does.

My advice has always been: step forward, make yourself visible, take responsibility. Take the stage and show what you are capable of. That is how perceptions change and that is how careers are built.

How does your role as CEO shape your perspective on equality?

Leadership is about creating fair systems.

At Rothe Erde, we operate in highly technical, demanding markets. We need the best people and that means applying standards consistently, rigorously, and without bias.

Equality does not mean adjusting expectations based on gender. It means ensuring that opportunity, responsibility, and evaluation are based on contribution and capability alone.

When that happens, the organisation becomes stronger, decisions improve and performance improves.

This is not theoretical, it is well documented operational reality.

Why is equality important for companies like Rothe Erde?

Because competitiveness depends on talent. As an industrial company, we solve complex engineering and operational problems. Limiting ourself to a narrow definition of leadership simply weakens our ability to compete.

The companies that succeed will be those that identify talent early, develop it rigorously, and create environments where capable people can perform at their best.

Equality is not a social gesture, it is actually a performance advantage.

What message would you give to young women starting their careers today?

Build real competence and take difficult assignments. Do not wait to feel ready.

You will be underestimated at times, use that to exceed expectations.

Be visible, speak up, take responsibility. Not because you want attention, but because your contribution matters and never forget that leadership requires presence.

And understand this: confidence is not something you wait for. It is something you build through action, through doing difficult things, through delivering results.

There will always be moments where you have to fight to be heard. The important thing is not to withdraw. It is to step forward and show, through your work and your leadership, exactly what you are made of.

And most importantly: do not allow others to define your trajectory. Take ownership of it yourself.