The primary objective of González's team is to nurture relationships creating the necessary energy to evolve culture, build partnerships, drive value, and satisfy purpose of the organization.
Since her first day with NATO back in 2018, González has contributed to the growth of the ESOC, ultimately contributing to the success of the Agency. We spoke to González to hear all about her motivations, gender diversity views and work experience at the NCI Agency.
What drew you to your current position at NATO?
I have always enjoyed speaking different languages, so I knew that whatever my job would be in the future, it would have to be in an international environment. In 2010, I was given the opportunity to work in the financial sector in a university. Although I didn't have a university degree, they saw my potential and offered me a month-long contract. I ended up working with them for six years! Because of this experience, I was able to apply and work at the European Commission and begin my goal of working in an international environment. I then joined the ESOC in 2018, where I have carried out different organizational and managerial duties over the years, and was able to realize my lifelong dream of working in an international environment.
Throughout my career, I faced people who didn't want to give me a chance because of my background, but I always tried to persevere and keep going forward. I might have felt discouraged at times because of these rejections, but they also drove me to where I am today.
What is it like to work at ESOC?
It's great! I really enjoy working here. I have had the opportunity to take on a variety of roles and responsibilities, which has helped me step out of my comfort zone and grow professionally. The ESOC itself has also changed a lot since I first started and I'm happy to see the transformation it has gone through. It has been a challenging process at times, with our roles and duties often changing to be able to cover different areas of responsibility, but there's also been a lot of growth. The ESOC has always been predominantly male due to the line of work, but over recent years, the number of women has increased, including some women in leadership positions. And although it is still a predominantly male environment, the gender gap is getting smaller and we will hopefully see more women joining the ESOC in the near future.
Seeing the changing landscape in the ESOC, what would you say is the importance of having diversity in the workplace?
I think having diversity everywhere is important, not only in the ESOC. We can learn a lot from working in a diverse team because it allows us to challenge our own ways of thinking. To me, that is one of the keys to success in an organization. Also, the more we bet on gender diversity, the more we are empowering women to go for a wider range of career paths. Showing that we work in a diverse environment can definitely contribute to encouraging more women to join NATO.
Is there a female leader that you find to be inspiring?
I don't really have a specific name to share because I feel inspired by being around other women coming from very different backgrounds. For the past two years, I have been organizing a monthly lunch where I invite other super ladies from and outside the ESOC. Initially, this initiative began as a way of networking among the community of women at the ESOC, but it evolved into a support group for women who work at NATO in Mons, where we talk about everything: work, career paths, family, difficulties we face, and more. These lunches bring together a diverse group of women, from different backgrounds, ages and grades, to share different perspectives about working at the Agency and at NATO. They are really inspiring to me because it's a way to support, empower and learn from each other that is really powerful.
What would you say has been the most impactful experience of your NATO career so far?
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to enroll in a training course to become a Person of Confidence (POC) for the Agency. Together with my colleagues, we work to make the Agency a better and safer place by helping others who are facing delicate situations. It has been an intense but deeply rewarding experience, and I am happy to be a part of this group. I think it's highly beneficial not only for those receiving the support, but also for those giving it. This initiative is a valuable resource for the Agency because it provides great support for staff members who need someone to help them face their issues.
What is the most important or impactful piece of advice that you have received?
Recently I was told "you can say yes to everything, but when you do, you are saying no to something else". This means a lot to me because I recognize myself in this non-stop can-do attitude. In line with what I said earlier, I have learned that it is equally powerful to say yes as it is to say no, and it's important to prioritize your mental health. Wanting to do everything is impossible and setting up priorities has also taught me to prioritize myself.
But this doesn't mean that I'm hesitant to face challenging situations! Sometimes, we need to be strong and brave enough to break the walls we may encounter. I always tell myself "just go for it". When something bad happens to me, like it does to anybody else, I don't like to sit and wait for things to change or be fixed on their own. I don't think we have the time in life to overthink, we just have to face the situation. And we might make mistakes, but we will also learn a lot from ourselves and others in the process.
