Jenna Mört … on appreciation

If you’re in Helsinki, it’s not impossible that Jenna Mört will whiz by on roller skates and give you a compliment. In an efficient and organised manner of course.

When someone asks Jenna Mört about her strengths, she knows what to answer. She can check her notes. She usually writes down all the good feedback she has received. Good to have for more than job interviews:

“It helps to read when you are having a bad day,” she says and laughs.

She is easy to talk to,” her colleagues say. She listens. And this is how she is efficient and organised. Many people can go around the office their entire working life without really knowing what everyone thinks of them. This is not the case with Jenna.

“I am surprised by how much positive feedback I received in such a short time. I started at TOOLS less than a year ago. I think that says everything about the company culture when you feel appreciated.

She herself likes to give feedback as she is convinced that this helps others to learn something new, to develop. With the job title Talent Specialist, she has many chances to do just that.

She is involved in every step of a recruitment, from writing the job advert to interviews and decision. She supports the relevant managers along the way and has created a process together with managers and the rest of the HR team to help new recruits find their place. She also helps other employees to develop their skills, through training courses among other things.

Structure and organisation come naturally to Jenna Mört. When she was a youngster, she was “a bit of a control freak”; it was tough dealing with things I couldn’t influence. Over the years, she has learned to let go.

“But what I do have control of, is what I am doing, that is, doing as well as possible.

Jenna was already thorough at school. It wasn’t just to get good grades – a sense of order was already in her DNA. With good order, it becomes easier to get things done, no matter what. She never steps into a meeting without well-prepared notes. It is never just a list of what needs to be sorted, it is also suggestions of solutions. Solutions are her thing – not problems.

It is great to work in a small team. Not only when it comes to feedback, but also when you tend to get bored. Jenna gets the chance to do different things at a fast pace. And if that’s not enough, she continues at the same pace after work, with crossfit. Or belly dancing, cycling, skating or roller skating. Or swimming. In between, a trip to the gym doesn’t hurt.

“I am bad at sitting still. I don’t want to just do one thing.

It may sound like the shadow of a know-it-all is behind Jenna Mört, but don’t forget what her colleagues said about her. She listens. For example, when she creates structures for new recruits, they are not just about productivity, they are just as much about welcoming and well-being. Everyone should feel as appreciated as she did.

”I really like the flat hierarchy within the Alligo Group. Everyone can be themselves and has given the confidence to take personal responsibility. People seem engaged. They respect and appreciate each other.”