How internal mobility opened the door to leadership for me
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A personal look at how internal mobility empowered me to become a leader.
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Real lessons from stepping into a line manager role for the first time.
R&D Line Manager
R&D Line Manager
R&D Line Manager
Where my Ericsson journey began
When I look back on my career at Ericsson, one thing stands out clearly: growth here doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because you get the space, support, and confidence to explore new paths.
I joined Ericsson in 2006 as a Solution Integrator at the Global Service Delivery Center in Brazil. Those early years were full of travel, hands-on learning, and exposure to diverse customer environments. These experiences are what shaped the foundation of my career. After a short break, I returned to Ericsson in 2011 and stepped into project management responsibilities within Customer Unit Brazil.
For more than a decade, I worked on complex deliveries, collaborated with talented colleagues, and built a deep understanding of our business. But after many years in project and program management, I felt ready for something more.
Why I chose to explore new opportunities at Ericsson
I had reached a point where I wanted to broaden my impact and grow beyond delivery roles. The idea of building and guiding a team, helping them succeed, and aligning their work with our business goals truly motivated me to turn to internal mobility. So, I applied for a line manager role within the product development unit for Ericsson billing.
After a series of interviews and assessments to see if I was the right fit, I was appointed as the Line Manager for the Last Stable Version (LSV) area, leading a distributed team across Brazil and Germany. It was the beginning of a new chapter in my career.
Stepping into leadership for the first time
Moving into leadership was both exciting and humbling. My focus shifted from timelines and deliverables to people management. I quickly realized that leading a team requires presence, empathy, and the ability to create an environment where people feel supported and engaged.
This transition pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me see the organization from a completely new perspective.
Carlos Flaminio and the FITec team at the Ericsson office in São Paulo.
The support that helped me succeed
I didn’t navigate this transition alone. I had leaders who mentored and coached me, a People Business Partner who prepared me for the shift, and access to recommended reading, learning resources, and courses that strengthened my leadership foundation.
One of the most impactful parts of my transition was the detailed handover from my predecessor. It gave me context, clarity, and confidence to start strong.
Navigating challenges and building a new team
My first months as a leader taught me some of my biggest career lessons. Managing a multicultural team spread across Brazil and Germany challenged me in new ways as people had different working styles, communication patterns, and expectations that required thoughtful adaptation. I had to quickly adapt, learn from my German colleagues, and find ways to align everyone while respecting cultural differences.
Later, when the team structure changed, I had the opportunity to rebuild the entire team in Brazil. Hiring, onboarding, and shaping a cohesive, high-performing group from the ground up was demanding, but incredibly fulfilling. Today, seeing the team grow and succeed together is one of the highlights of my journey.
Growing as a leader and as a person
The chance to step into leadership through an internal move has been the most empowering chapter of my Ericsson journey. When you know your strengths and values, work hard toward what excites you, and want to grow your career, you’ll find the structure, resources, and support at Ericsson to help you achieve your career targets.
Nearly a year and a half into my role as a line manager, I can confidently say I’ve grown both professionally and personally. I’m grateful for the culture, resources, and encouragement that make exploring new paths possible at Ericsson.
If my story has inspired you to join a team that empowers you, check out our open opportunities.