On safety. On people. On responsibility.
Responsibility keeps people safe
As CHRO of Slovnaft, part of MOL Group, Alžbeta Grácová shapes the people strategy for more than 3,300 employees. Slovnaft operates in one of the most complex industrial settings in CEE. Her leadership is built on safety, respect, and genuine presence —because understanding people begins with how leaders show up.
In this Leaders Talk, she reflects on how consistency and care builds trust and resilience — even in the most demanding environments.
For Alžbeta, leadership means being visible, listening first — and deciding with courage and care.
On trust. On discipline. On responsibility.
Safety needs clarity, discipline and care
In high-risk environments, safety is not held by rules alone. It depends on clarity, consistency and the way leaders show up every day.
Q1: What builds a resilient workforce in your industry?
In our industry, safety is more than compliance — it’s part of our DNA and our company culture. We do not tolerate disrespect of any safety rule. Our entire operation is based on the personal responsibility of every employee to protect each other’s health and safety.
Q2: What has been your toughest people decision?
My toughest decisions are connected to my early years in a managerial role. Ending cooperation with a colleague whose attitude didn’t fit our culture was challenging. Asking a long-serving, experienced colleague to hand over the role to a prepared successor was even harder. In such moments, I try to communicate with respect and clarity — because these decisions affect not only individuals, but also their families.
Alžbeta Grácová, CHRO Slovnaft, in conversation with Peter Nemcok — Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Menity — during Leaders Talk 2025.
On care. On discipline. On resilience.
Discipline and care keep people grounded under pressure
When operations run continuously, leadership cannot rely on motivation alone. People need structure, fairness and trust that can hold under pressure.
Q3: How do you keep 3,300 people engaged, skilled, and safe in a 24/7 high-risk operation?
We work across a wide spectrum of activities and initiatives. Employee engagement depends on the work environment — physical and psychological safety, fair compensation, and company culture. As managers, we focus on developing our people, their knowledge, and their experience. We trust their expertise and create a safe space for learning — because mutual trust strengthens us in everyday and demanding situations.
Q4: What leadership lesson has the industrial environment taught you?
The most valuable lesson is that clarity, consistency, and empathy build trust — especially in times of uncertainty. People don’t expect leaders to have all the answers. But they do expect honesty, stability, and fairness. These principles guide me every day in a complex industrial environment.
Alžbeta Grácová, CHRO Slovnaft, sharing a lighter moment with Peter Nemcok — Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Menity — during Leaders Talk 2025.
On change. On skills. On legacy.
Change demands new skills — and leaders who speak up
Energy transition changes the skills organisations need, but it also tests whether leaders can speak clearly before the pressure becomes visible.
Q5: Which trend will have the biggest impact on your workforce?
The oil industry is undergoing one of the most profound transformations. Energy transition — driven by the Green Deal and decarbonization targets — will have the biggest impact on our workforce and operations. Reskilling and upskilling will remain a strategic pillar, because preparing our people for the future is essential for business continuity.
Q6: What advice would you give to the next generation of HR leaders in heavy industry?
Stay close to the business and don’t be afraid to speak up when your knowledge, experience, and professional opinion need to be heard. Ask questions, stay curious, and continually build your expertise — it’s the foundation of real HR leadership.
At Menity, we often see what Alžbeta describes in practice — when leaders combine discipline, honesty, and curiosity, they build workplaces ready for the demands of energy transition.
Alžbeta Grácová
CHRO, Slovnaft (MOL Group)
Brings three decades of HR and legal leadership experience across industrial and multinational environments. Her work focuses on building disciplined, trustworthy teams and guiding people through transformation in high-risk operations.
Menity Leaders Talk — December 2025
Interview by Peter Nemcok · Photography © Menity