The Power of Leadership: A People-First Approach
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs
For Katharina Sparre, leadership is not just about driving business success—it is about empowering people, fostering innovation, and creating cultures that inspire growth. As a seasoned HR leader and strategic thinker, Katharina has dedicated her career to transforming workplaces, developing talent, and ensuring that organizations thrive through their people.
Her journey is a testament to the belief that true leadership begins with purpose—a purpose that fuels both individual potential and collective success.
Laying the Foundation: Early Influences and Career Beginnings
Katharina’s passion for people and organizational success took root early in her career. With a background in political science and legal studies at the University of Bremen, she developed a strong analytical foundation that helped her understand systems, governance, and human dynamics. While her studies provided theoretical insight, it was her real-world experience in recruitment and personnel management that ignited her passion for HR.
Her early roles at Franz & Wach Personalservice GmbH, Anwora Personnel GmbH, and expertum Gruppe sharpened her expertise in talent acquisition, client relations, and employee engagement. She quickly realized that businesses don’t just need employees—they need motivated, inspired individuals who align with a company’s vision and mission.
“I realized early on that the success of a company depends largely on the people who work there,” Katharina reflects. “Sustainable company management starts with excellent people management.”
Breaking Barriers and Building Success
Katharina’s career trajectory is defined by bold decision-making, transformative leadership, and a commitment to excellence. As she advanced into leadership roles, she took on greater responsibilities that shaped her ability to influence organizational growth.
At International Flavors & Fragrances, she played a key role in employee support, leadership advisory, and collaboration with works councils—ensuring that business decisions aligned with both corporate goals and employee well-being.
She then moved into a leadership position at Brose Group, serving as an HR Manager. In this role, she contributed to strategic HR initiatives, talent management, and organizational development, further strengthening her expertise in aligning HR strategies with business goals.
Her strategic approach to HR became even more evident during her tenure at Franz & Wach Personalservice GmbH, where she took on one of her most significant professional challenges:
“I am particularly proud to have played an active role in setting up a new branch. We started from scratch with a dedicated team and managed not only to successfully establish the branch but also to grow so much that we were able to open a second one.”
This milestone underscored her ability to lead with vision and resilience, proving that organizational success is built on a strong foundation of people-first leadership.
A Visionary Leader at SEGHORN GmbH
Now serving as Head of HR at SEGHORN GmbH, Katharina continues to shape the future of workplace culture. Her leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in servant leadership—empowering employees to take ownership of their roles, fostering innovation, and cultivating a safe space for growth and learning.
“For me, the focus is on empowering my employees so that they can act on their own responsibility and develop their full potential,” she says. “It is essential to give them a clear vision and to live a culture of failure in which mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth and innovation.”
Her ability to align corporate vision with employee motivation makes her a trusted leader in the HR space. She firmly believes that:
“Every company should focus on the ‘why.’ It’s not the short-term monetary incentive that motivates people, but the inspiration of being part of something meaningful.”
In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Katharina is also involved in building Skillgainer GmbH, a company dedicated to revolutionizing HR. Skillgainer is focused on reshaping the way HR functions, ensuring that businesses and employees alike benefit from modern, effective people management strategies.
Personal Perspective & Work-Life Balance
While Katharina’s professional life revolves around people and organizational leadership, she deeply values personal growth, well-being, and work-life balance.
As a leader, she understands that sustainable success is not just about professional achievements but also about maintaining energy, passion, and motivation in the long run. She believes in leading by example—prioritizing mental resilience, continuous learning, and creating a workplace culture where employees feel supported both professionally and personally.
Outside of work, Katharina is passionate about mentorship and empowering the next generation of leaders. Whether through guiding young professionals or sharing insights on HR best practices, she is committed to helping others navigate their own career journeys with confidence and clarity.
Her approach to life and leadership is best captured by her own words:
“Great leadership is about creating an environment where people feel safe to challenge themselves, learn from failures, and ultimately, grow beyond what they thought was possible.”
This philosophy extends beyond the workplace, shaping how she approaches challenges, opportunities, and personal development.
The Future: Leading Organizations to Sustainable Success
Looking ahead, Katharina remains committed to her mission: transforming organizations, building high-performing teams, and fostering cultures of excellence. She believes that the future of work will be defined by leaders who prioritize trust, responsibility, and innovation.
Katharina’s goal is not just to optimize business structures, but to inspire and empower people—because great companies are built by great teams, and great teams are built by visionary leaders.
Editorial Note: A Call to Action
Katharina Sparre’s journey is a powerful reminder that leadership is not about authority, but about impact. Through her people-first approach, she has shaped organizations, empowered individuals, and transformed workplace cultures.
Her story challenges leaders everywhere to ask themselves:
✅ Are we inspiring our teams to reach their full potential?
✅ Are we fostering innovation and resilience in the face of challenges?
✅ Are we leading with purpose?
For executives, HR professionals, and aspiring leaders, Katharina’s career serves as a blueprint for building organizations that thrive on trust, vision, and sustainable success.
As she continues to shape the future of leadership and workplace culture, one thing is certain: her impact will be felt for generations to come.
We Want to Read Your Story in Executives Diary: Preserving Human History and Wisdom
Behind every brand, there is a brain that molds and folds startups into established brands, and behind every brand, there are professionals who drive the business in new directions. We want to read and preserve your story if you are a founder or an executive.
We are an invite-only network, ensuring that every story on Executives Diary is legitimate. Apply to get your diary in Executives Diary.
