- Please tell us more about your role at DTEK Grids
For the past five years I’ve led the communications function at DTEK Grids. Our team reaches out to more than 15,000 employees and 13 million clients in Ukraine.
At DTEK Grids, communications are strategically involved in multiple business processes – from risk assessment to value creation and business impact evaluation. I focus on how communications can positively affect the achievement of DTEK’s business goals; I am passionate about ESG-principles, and appreciate the benefits of energy branding.
- How has the war in Ukraine challenged your role?
Being a critical infrastructure, DTEK Grids supplies electricity to 13 million Ukrainians and has restored electricity to more than 10 million people following wartime shelling. Without electricity there is no life in the country.
Communications takes on a greater role in the war time. We don’t only raise brand awareness and reputation, we also support our clients’ state of mind by giving them certainty that ‘light and life’ will come back to their homes and help keep up the motivation of our employees. The communications team often worked under difficult conditions – nights, weekends, from bomb shelters, without the Internet and without clear information about situation (shelling, blackouts etc.). We receive enormous amount of requests from media and clients, as well as bitter public criticism.
The war time requests from me new a completely new level of leadership, faith in the importance of our company’s work, as well as relentless optimism and sense of humour in order to unite all team even in the darkest hour. In doing so, the communications team inspires colleagues to do their best to support clients, employees and brings our victory closer.
- What personal/professional characteristics make a leader in communications stand out?
I believe, that great leaders follow the rule ‘don’t be bossy, be a leader’. Empathy and humanity are crucial: personality comes first, instructions and rules come second.
I truly abide by it, that’s why my key management style is building united and complementary teams with different talents, skills, and values. I comprehend the interests and needs of stakeholder groups and use them to deliver business results, thus satisfying the needs of these stakeholders. I use my strategic thinking, a 360 ͦhelicopter view of the organisation and anticipation of trends to implement bold decisions and defend them even if it sometimes goes against the ‘corporate tradition’. And it really works, as people say that my positive energy transforms the world around us.
- What excites you about communications?
I believe in the power of communications and think we can make a difference, influencing management decisions and making business, and thus, society more humane.
I have been working in communications for 15 years, having in my track record projects in development, FMCG, IT, politics and, finally, I came to energy, which has made me the happiest. The energy industry is the one that influences our planet and peoples’ lives the most. When you work in energy, you have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of our contemporaries and contribute to a better future for the next generations.
Are you a Rising Star in Energy?
This category recognizes the extraordinary achievements of individuals aged 35 years and younger in the energy branding space. Young people are vital agents of change and future leaders, so we celebrate their strategic and analytical thinking, encourage how they work in a team and support their creative ideas. If you qualify or would like to nominate a colleague, please submit a nomination at https://charge.events/categories/.
