Katja Savón-Seppänen is an approachable and genuinely caring supervisor who treats employees with respect, even in challenging situations.
Katja has completed management training organised by the City of Espoo and the Lean Change Agent programme run by Aalto University in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.
Her leadership style has built a safe atmosphere where employees can express their views and develop their skills without hesitation. She is said to distribute responsibility appropriately and to have confidence in the professional skills of her staff.
Many employees describe her as the best supervisor they have ever worked with.
“Katja is not just a good supervisor – she is an exceptional one,” say the reasons provided for the selection of the winner.
Katja thanks her work community for this tribute and says that she is happy and proud to work in a multidisciplinary team with great professionals.
– My staff are my most valuable asset – the most valuable thing I have. I want to take care of them and invest in them. Our mutual trust is the most important thing, as is openness that facilitates discussion, even about difficult issues. This trust is reflected in the fact that I can rely on employees’ actions and decision-making.
According to her work community, Katja responds to stressful situations in time and actively develops working conditions.
– At work, I also talk a lot about being merciful if you are being worn down by your work and being driven to seek perfection by your own mercilessness, Katja says.
Katja also receives special praise for her flexible attitude towards the reconciliation of work and private life.
Katja was nominated for the award by her work community and Tehy’s local branch in the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County.
Tehy, the trade union for the social care, healthcare and early childhood education sector, presents an award to a distinguished Tehy manager each year. The award criteria emphasise good leadership, consideration of staff, and a focus on wellbeing at work.
The award was presented during the Tehy Management Day held in Helsinki on 5 May.