Leadership & Passion: Manuel Noe on the VFA Young Leadership Programme
Manuel, you were in Munich last week as part of the VFA Interlift Young Leadership Programme at Meiller. Tell us—what is this programme about, what do you do, and who is it for?
The programme is an initiative by the VFA designed to prepare emerging leaders from member companies for the future. It’s about looking beyond purely technical topics. We focus heavily on leadership development—how to lead teams, communicate effectively, and organize yourself. We’re supported by experts like Jochen Schlicht. It’s aimed at anyone in the industry who already has leadership responsibility or is preparing for it—a perfect mix of networking and coaching.
What were your first impressions in Munich, and how did your host, Meiller, welcome you?
The reception was excellent and very professional. We had the opportunity to tour the Meiller factory, which was particularly exciting for us engineers—seeing the production of elevator doors up close was fascinating. But everything around it was equally well organized: there was a pre-event gathering right in the center of Munich, giving everyone time to arrive and connect. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was open and welcoming.
Which topics stood out to you most during the sessions?
A key focus was communication with employees. We explored the fact that there are completely different types of people—and that as a leader, you need to meet each individual where they are. That’s often easier said than done in theory. We examined different leadership styles and analyzed how we ourselves come across. It was, at times, a real eye-opener.
Was there any insight about your own leadership style that surprised you?
Absolutely. We talked a lot about different personality types—whether someone is more extroverted or introverted, or more task-oriented versus people-oriented. What I found particularly interesting was realizing that a company actually needs all of these different types. For me personally, the key takeaway was that you’re not fixed in one category. Depending on the situation or task, you shift between these roles. Sometimes you need to be very task-focused, while in other moments the human aspect takes priority.
How practical were the exercises? Were you able to apply what you learned right away?
Yes—that was actually the best part. We didn’t just go through PowerPoint slides; we did a lot of role-playing exercises directly with the instructor and within the group. The groups were constantly reshuffled, so you had to communicate with different people each time. This allowed us to simulate real-life situations—not only conversations with our own teams, but also interactions with customers or suppliers. That gives you a lot of confidence for everyday work back at the company.
How important is networking with other young leaders in the industry for you?
It’s a huge factor. Many participants had already attended the first meeting in Hamburg, so by the time we met in Munich, it already felt like a well-connected team. You get to know each other, build trust, and exchange not just professional insights but also personal experiences. This kind of peer-to-peer exchange with people facing similar challenges is incredibly valuable. It really makes you realize that you’re not alone with your topics.
What will you take back with you into your role as Technical Director at Rudolf Fuka?
Above all, I’m taking away a very positive feeling. The programme reinforced how important it is to continuously reflect on yourself and improve your communication. I feel strengthened for the challenges ahead and look forward to bringing these new impulses into our team. And of course, I’m already looking forward to the next meeting in Hamburg in September, where we’ll continue building on what we started.
Conclusion
This interview highlights that modern leadership in the elevator industry goes far beyond technical expertise alone. Manuel Noe brings valuable insights back from Munich—insights that will benefit not only him personally, but the entire team at Rudolf Fuka GmbH.
It will be exciting to see what new paths the next generation of VFA leaders will take in the future.
