Nora Batova on Leading Across Generations

Nora Batova, Career and Development Leader for Central Europe and South Africa at Faurecia, shares her perspective on leading diverse generations, engaging top talents, and ensuring knowledge transfer across organizations.

Q: How can leaders ensure knowledge transfer between generations?

In today’s plants, Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials work side by side. Each generation has its own strengths, drivers, and values. Effective leadership begins with the early identification of emerging talent, understanding their motivators, and creating growth opportunities.

Values such as respect, tolerance, and loyalty form the bridge between generations. Experienced leaders pass on knowledge and gain fresh inspiration from younger colleagues, creating true synergy.

Q: You launched an engagement program. What were the outcomes?

The program engaged over 180 leaders and 50 managers across several countries. It led to measurable improvements in manufacturing processes, reduced fluctuation and absenteeism, and strengthened communication across management levels.

It also helped to identify and develop key talents, aligning them with business needs and company values.

Q: What role do experienced leaders play in developing future leaders?

Experienced leaders must act as mentors and coaches. By offering guidance, on-the-job training, and support, they help young leaders grow while ensuring business continuity.

Succession planning, when done with respect for organizational values, ensures long-term sustainability.

Q: How do you balance internal promotions with hiring from the market?

Both approaches have value. Internal promotions bring loyalty, motivation, and faster integration, while external hires bring fresh perspectives and new skills.

The balance is crucial. Internal growth opportunities ensure engagement and retention, but external hires help companies adapt to changing markets and challenges.

Q:  What makes a leader truly inspiring across all generations?

An inspiring leader leads by example, shows consistency between words and actions, and demonstrates empathy. It’s not just about authority, but about creating trust, listening, and genuinely caring for people.

Leaders who combine data-driven insights with human connection can unlock individual potential and inspire teams to deliver sustainable results.

Q: What inspires you personally?

“Without inspiration, the best powers of the mind remain dormant.

There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.”

– Johann Gottfried Von Herder

Thank you, Nora.

About Mrs. Batova

Nora Batová is a regional Career and Development Leader at Faurecia, delivering talent development services across Central Europe, Germany, and South Africa. She has co-piloted several business transformations and implemented leadership development frameworks. Nora holds a Master of Systems Engineering from the Technical University of Košice.

This interview was part of the MENITY Leaders Talk series (2014–2016).

Interview with Mrs. Batova, conducted by Mr. Janik, Managing Partner at MENITY.

Photography © MENITY