Climbing the Career Everest: The Progression Routes

In the previous article, we explored the acclimatization phase, a crucial moment in professional growth where family values, educational background, and the support of great Sherpas are fundamental in building a solid foundation. Now, we move on to the next stage of the climb: the progression routes.

In mountaineering, progression routes involve repeated ascents and descents in challenging terrains, allowing climbers to develop technical skills, build physical and mental resilience, and gain confidence to face bigger challenges. In a career, these routes represent the times when we are tested, pushed to our limits, and required to accumulate the experience and strength needed to move forward.

During this crucial period of my journey, I had the privilege of learning from three remarkable Sherpas: Filipe Afonso , RAMON CASTELLO GRAU , and Vera Albuquerque . Each of them, with their leadership and expertise, imparted valuable lessons that shaped how I think, act, and face challenges along the way.

Filipe Afonso: Industrial Strategy and Capacity Planning Responsibility

Filipe, a Franco-Portuguese and Corporate Manufacturing Manager for South America at this time, was internationally recognized for his vast expertise in industrial manufacturing. He was a mentor who taught me essential lessons about responsibility and precision in capacity calculations, emphasizing the importance of understanding equipment as part of larger, integrated industrial flows.

Filipe also introduced me, for the first time, to the intrinsic connection between operational decisions and financial impacts, especially regarding the CAPEX of the organization. He demonstrated that poorly grounded planning could lead to unnecessary costs and compromise industrial efficiency, teaching me the importance of making informed and strategic decisions.

During my final months as an intern, I took on the coordination of factory expansion works — a challenge that felt monumental for an intern. Filipe was a true beacon during this period, providing technical support, protection, and guidance to help me navigate a complex corporate environment. He taught me how to structure reports for the headquarters, handle challenging meetings, and gain confidence in my ability to deliver. His leadership and mentorship were instrumental to the project's success, and his strategic vision continues to inspire my career.

Ramon Castelo: Attention to Detail and Industrial Intelligence

Ramon, a Spanish expatriate with the mission to train the manufacturing team in Brazil, brought a practical and visionary approach to my development. With a focus on time, movement, and efficiency (MTM), he showed me how even the smallest details could impact an entire industrial flow.

From the placement of a trash bin to the design of tools that facilitate assembly, Ramon paid attention to the subtleties that could reduce waste and improve efficiency within production processes. He taught me to think lean and strategically, connecting what I had learned about capacity planning with the practical execution of streamlined and intelligent processes. It was a masterclass in aligning technical details with systemic thinking.

Vera Albuquerque: Mentorship in Leadership and Humanization

Vera, then the HR Manager at the Dias d’ávila plant, was a Sherpa who brought a completely new and enriching perspective to my journey. She was the first female leader I interacted with in the corporate environment, and her firm, systemic, and strategically-oriented approach was truly inspiring.

During the factory expansion, while I coordinated the logistics of the construction and prepared reports for the headquarters, Vera stood out by teaching me how to humanize the workplace. From detailed discussions about office layouts — ensuring the environment was comfortable and efficient — to improvements in kitchen facilities for the collaborators, Vera always focused on how changes would impact people’s well-being.

More than that, as a mentor, she helped me refine my professional positioning, always encouraging me to elevate the quality of my work. Through her guidance, I learned to manage projects with greater clarity, strategy, and attention to detail. Her leadership and vision were instrumental in opening the doors to my next big step: a new "base camp" in my career climb — the Goiana plant.

Lessons and Preparation for the Next Step

Progression routes are moments that challenge us while preparing us for greater opportunities. From Filipe, I learned about strategy and technical responsibility. From Ramon, I learned to focus on details and the seamless flow of industrial processes. And from Vera, I discovered how to balance professionalism with humanization in the workplace. Each Sherpa, with their unique vision, contributed to the knowledge and experience I needed to progress in my career.

Conclusion and Call for the Next Article

This stage of the climb was filled with challenges and lessons that led me to take on new risks and responsibilities. At the end of these progression routes came the moment for a significant leap: a new base camp in my journey at the Goiana plant.

This will be the topic of the next article, where I will share how transitioning to this new challenge prepared me to climb even higher.

What about you? Who were the Sherpas that helped you tackle your progression routes in your career? Share your stories and celebrate these moments! After all, no one climbs Everest alone.