Why Collaboration Is the Real Catalyst for Innovation

Collaboration is absolutely fundamental to success believes Ute Schick, SVP and Head of Business Line Care Solutions, Evonik. Counting collaboration as the single most important factor in driving progress, she laments that it is often underestimated in many leadership approaches.

In conversation with Global Woman Leader Magazine, Ute draws these insights and more from her extensive multi-industry experience in personal care and specialty ingredients. Talking about how her cross-industry experience shapes innovation in chemical manufacturing, she also highlights the need for embedding sustainability into business outcomes. Ute also sheds light on nurturing technical talent, and how women leaders drive strategic, future-ready innovation.

Ute is a seasoned leader with deep expertise in personal care and specialty ingredients, known for building market leadership through strategic acquisitions and portfolio development. Her leadership experience spans innovation, growth strategy, supply chain management, and R&D, driving sustainable business growth.

To learn more about her leadership insights, sustainability journey, and innovation philosophy, read the interview below.

Your journey spans diverse sectors, including pharma, food, and personal care. How has this cross-industry experience influenced your approach to innovation in chemical manufacturing?

My cross-industry experience has provided me with the ability to explore and identify new market opportunities while gaining a deeper understanding of critical differences, such as varying regulations across regions. This insight has been invaluable in recognizing what is truly required to achieve success.

However, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that having the right experts around you is only part of the equation. Success ultimately depends on building strong partnerships, whether with customers or other key players in the market. Collaboration and teamwork are essential, as it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to achieve meaningful success on your own. Winning in any market is rarely a solo endeavor.

What are the biggest challenges you encounter in global markets, and what alignment strategies have you found useful to innovate for customer needs?

We have observed that maintaining strong connections with customers and partners is absolutely essential, particularly when the market is soft, and the environment becomes increasingly challenging. In such situations, open communication and regular engagement play a critical role in navigating difficulties.

It is especially important to establish direct contact with top management to better understand their specific needs, priorities, and strategic goals. Building these relationships not only helps to align with their expectations but also strengthens trust and collaboration. By staying proactive and connected, you can adapt more effectively to changing circumstances and create opportunities despite difficult market conditions

Based on your experience, how does building a culture of collaboration across departments drive the innovation of sustainable chemical solutions?

Collaboration is absolutely fundamental to success. In my experience, no innovation has ever truly succeeded without strong collaboration, both internally within teams and externally with partners or stakeholders. For me,

Collaboration is the single most important factor in driving progress, yet it is often underestimated in many leadership approaches.

Unfortunately, during challenging times, leaders often shift toward a more directive style of management, focusing on control rather than fostering connection and teamwork. However, it is precisely in these tough moments that leaders should prioritize staying close to their teams, listening actively, and encouraging open communication. By fostering collaboration, even in difficult times, leaders can inspire creativity, build trust, and drive meaningful innovation and long-term success.

As sustainability is one of Evonik's core operational principles, Can you share an example of where sustainable practices exceeded positive environmental outcomes and interactions back to the business?

We recently launched our state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the production of Rhamnolipids, an innovative surfactant with a wide range of unique and valuable features. This groundbreaking technology has already achieved significant success across multiple markets, highlighting its potential to transform various industries. The launch marks an exciting milestone for us, as we are witnessing a fantastic start to this new and sustainable technology. With its exceptional performance and environmentally friendly profile, Rhamnolipids are opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships, further solidifying our position as a leader in innovation. We are proud of this achievement and look forward to continued growth and success.

As a leader working in a technical field, how do you sustain teams' learning and adaptability skills to stay as a strong industry contributor?

We place great emphasis on fostering expert appreciation, recognizing that without the dedication and expertise of our specialists, sustainable growth and innovation would not be possible. Experts are the driving force behind progress, as they engage with other experts in the market to develop and shape the next groundbreaking innovation. To further support this, we have established a new expert program designed not only to empower and celebrate our current experts but also to inspire and motivate young talent to join.

By nurturing the next generation of experts, we are building a strong foundation for future success and innovation.

What recommendations do you have for women in chemical manufacturing for advancing into leadership positions, particularly when it comes to thinking strategically and being innovative?

Many of my female colleagues excel in collaboration, leveraging their natural strength in bringing the right people together to form high-performing teams. Their ability to foster teamwork and create an environment of trust and cooperation is invaluable, particularly in complex industries like the chemical sector. Women often take a long-term perspective, focusing on sustainable growth and lasting success, which aligns perfectly with the needs of the chemical environment. This forward-thinking approach, combined with their collaborative mindset, plays a crucial role in driving innovation and building resilient teams that can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing industry landscape.