In our special column this month, we are glad to host an interview with Mrs Stine Mundal, Key Account Manager, DNV & Maritime and President, WISTA Norway who wishes industry could become more open to quickly implement the change mindset needed to adapt to a new low carbon and digital reality.
Mrs Mundal also shares with us her new habits that have improved her business life; she is now more realistic about time management while she looks for international challenges to get to know even more interesting people from different cultures and backgrounds. ”I believe it’s vital to get experience from “outside our own bubble” in this kind of international business.” she says.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined the shipping industry and your field of expertise specifically?
Stine Mundal: Loving math and science, I wanted to be an engineer. And with my interest in the ocean, I ended up doing my engineering degree in Naval Architecture. Through studies and internships, I became even more fascinated by the ocean and also ships. From there, working in the Maritime Industry was a given. I have never looked back and I am super happy with my choice.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you and why?
St.M: So far I’ve been with DNV all my career, as I had the opportunity to take on several new and interesting challenges within the company. For the past 2,5 years I have been working in Business Development where I work closely with our customers to understand their challenges and opportunities and see where DNV can support them and provide services that actually help them. Seeing how we can support the development and our customers’ journey towards a low carbon future is really exciting! I’m also really motivated by the DNV’s purpose, and the international reach we have as a company. We are also set up as a foundation, which means that all of the profit we earn goes back into research and finding better ways of safeguarding life, property and the environment in the industries we work within.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person/mentor to you & why?
St.M.: I have had many different co-workers and mentors that have supported me on my way. Each filling different roles depending on where I was at that exact stage of my life and career. I once read that you should have your own “Board of Directors” – a diverse pool of people that only want the best for you, know you, support you, and have their own area of expertise that you can benefit from. So, I’ve collected a few over the years and I still have regular contact with most of them.
S4S: What is the best and what was the worst piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
St.M.: Best: Stop caring about what others think and say when they try to slow or keep you down. It’s usually mediocre people that feel their position is threatened and need to feel secure themselves. / Worst: To not show my authentic self in a job interview setting. I was shocked after once receiving this feedback after an interview. If a company doesn’t want to hire me because of who I am, that is not a place I would want to work anyway.
S4S: What is the most worthwhile career investment (in energy, time, money) you’ve ever made?
St.M.: Taking on international challenges and positions. I’ve worked for DNV in Norway, France, Singapore, and Germany. All of those placements gave me unique experiences, learnings and development opportunities. And I got to know even more interesting people from different cultures and backgrounds. I believe it’s vital to get experience from “outside our own bubble” in this kind of international business.
S4S: In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your business life?
St.M.: Being more realistic about time management, what you’re able to deliver to a certain deadline and feeling ok leaving work and going home for the afternoon without completing “everything”. Then being more refreshed and effective when returning to the office next day.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape and your area of expertise specifically and why?
St.M.: The openness and speed of implementing the change mindset needed to adapt to a new low carbon and digital reality. And the maritime industry still has a way to go to recruit, retain, elevate and include women. There needs to be a change in the culture to make the industry even more open and inclusive. It’s not women who need to adapt to the existing culture, but everyone’s job to make sure everyone can feel like they belong, be their true self, and in that way perform even better. That’s when we truly get the benefits of diversity – all kinds of diversity.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
St.M.: “You always have time for what you prioritize to have time for.”
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
