How do you become a CEO?

One thing in advance: You don't take over the management of a listed company like First Sensor overnight. Behind it all is a lot of work, expertise, experience - and certainly a pinch or two of luck. Dr. Dirk Rothweiler, CEO of First Sensor AG, talks about his career in an interview and gives tips for successful career planning.

Dr. Rothweiler, have you always wanted to become CEO?

Sure, I already knew that in preschool! (laughs) No, of course I didn't have that career aspiration as a child. But right from the beginning of my professional life, I was always keen to take on tasks that interested and challenged me. One step was automatically followed by the next. Now I am here and I am happy to be able to accompany First Sensor and our employees as they grow.

You studied physics and completed your doctorate at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen. In retrospect, how helpful was the matching study program?

There are certainly exceptions in which the field of study does not play a role. In retrospect, however, I believe that studying a technical subject provides the necessary tools to understand complex processes and to discuss in detail with experts about challenges in production, development or sales and other fields. But when I chose my subject of study, I was guided by my personal interest at the time and would do so again. There was no plan behind it, I was interested in the content. That's why I decided to pursue a doctorate afterwards.

Under which aspects have you advanced your subsequent career?

At the beginning of my professional life, I worked in development and was able to deal intensively with products and technologies. At the same time, I already came into contact with customers at that time and thus gained insight into the commercial framework of my occupation. The subsequent path into technical sales and marketing was quite logical from this perspective. I was also always driven by an interest in international markets, I was in the Asia-Pacific region and later in the USA. Today I benefit greatly from the experience with other cultures. Over the years I have taken on more and more responsibility and have been able to apply my knowledge from previous jobs. Prior to joining First Sensor, I managed a large unit in a corporate group, so I was able to assess the challenges of my new role to a large extent.

How important are stays abroad in your opinion?

I can only recommend it. If you are looking for a leadership role in an international corporation, you should definitely consider stays in other countries.

Which other competences are important today from your point of view?

There are a few. You should be able to work in a structured way, prioritize and make sound decisions on the basis of this. This requires an overview of the key issues and challenges facing the organization and the ability to think ahead strategically. Especially in today's world, where there are constant leaps in development, a company must not lose touch. Business management knowledge, curiosity, certainly a healthy dose of ambition and a cool head under high pressure are also part of it. I would like to emphasize leadership competence. There are people behind all strategy and operational issues. I want to enable them to give their best. Only together can we achieve our goals.

What would you recommend to talents who want to reach a executive board position?

Above all, they need a lot of patience and ambition. Be committed and don't give up even when you have setbacks, because you can only learn from them. Try to gain experience in different departments of an organization and if possible also abroad. Work constantly on your skills, your own knowledge, and social competences. And keep an eye out for opportunities where you can further develop yourself as a specialist.