Hilti’s Outperformer Program: A Journey That Helped Me Discover Who I Want to Become
Growing up in a Brazilian and Canadian household while living in the United States gave me an early appreciation for diverse cultures, global perspectives, and environments that extend beyond borders. I also spent countless hours in the garage with my dad, an aerospace engineer who could fix anything, and I naturally became his informal trainee. Being surrounded by tools, problem‑solving, and hands‑on creativity sparked my early fascination with how things are built and how they work, long before I ever pictured myself in the construction industry. That mix of global perspective and early exposure to building and fixing shaped who I became, even if it didn’t immediately translate into clear ambitions when I started applying for jobs. Like many new graduates, I was focused on finding something stable and aligned with my values rather than pursuing something bold.
As I mass‑applied to companies during my final year at the University of Arkansas, I was simultaneously applying for master’s programs abroad. I wasn’t ready to close the door on an international future. When I received an offer to study at ESADE in Barcelona, a renowned business school globally, the decision became clear. I extended my studies to pursue a master’s in international business, believing it would create broader opportunities both personally and professionally. I didn’t know it at the time, but that decision would become the bridge that eventually led me to Hilti.
A Career Fair That Changed Help Set My Path
I first encountered Hilti at a career fair at ESADE. In a crowded room full of major global companies, Hilti stood out immediately. The recruiter spoke honestly about the Outperformer Program, its global structure, the exposure it offered, and the developmental journey it created for its participants. A current Outperformer shared her story with a level of authenticity that struck me. For the first time, I saw a path that aligned with everything I aspired to: international opportunities, rotations across the business, deep exposure to leadership, and a culture grounded in learning and trust. It made me rethink what was possible.
Inside the Interview Process: A Challenging but Inspiring Experience
The interview process that followed was both challenging and energizing. I met with HR recruiters, senior leaders, and eventually flew from Barcelona to Dallas for the assessment center. The two‑day experience began with a dinner – which, to me, was the unofficial start of the interviews – and continued the next morning with collaborative exercises and case‑based individual assessments. Although I arrived jetlagged after traveling across continents, I found the structure of the event welcoming and well organized. Still, the pressure was real. The candidates around me were sharp, diverse, and extremely impressive, and I knew I had to show up at my best.
After returning to Barcelona, I waited anxiously for the phone call. Throughout the day, messages poured into our group chat from candidates receiving deferrals or rejections. My phone remained silent. Midnight approached, the day was almost over, and I had convinced myself the answer was no. Then, finally, my phone rang at midnight (Barcelona time). It was John Greer, General Manager of the Central Market Organization, offering me a full‑time position in the Outperformer Program. It was a moment I will never forget, one that affirmed I had chosen the right path.
Lucas Wade (front row, far right) with fellow Outperformers at the annual summit at the Hilti Headquarters in Schann, Liechtenstein.
My First Rotation: Stepping Into the Field with the Dallas MEP Team
My first rotation took place in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, where I joined the MEP sales team as an Account Manager focused on electrical contractors. My manager, Brandon Groves, welcomed me on day one, and before I knew it, I had tools in my hands and was learning the fundamentals of what Hilti is known for. The environment was unlike anything I had prepared for in my five years of studying international business and marketing. Suddenly, I was navigating busy jobsites, wearing a hard hat and hi‑vis vest, climbing ladders that felt more questionable than comforting, and learning to communicate with the bold personalities that define the construction industry.
Finding My Footing: Early Wins and Lessons from the Jobsite
Despite the initial shock, I found myself energized by the pace and purpose of the work. Customers were always busy, time was limited, and every interaction demanded preparation and clarity. What surprised me most was the trust customers placed in me so quickly. My recommendations influenced their decisions, sometimes involving large investments or major project implications. That responsibility forced me to learn fast, listen deeply, and show up prepared every single day. One habit that helped me succeed was simple: I always brought a tool with me. When customers could hold a solution in their hands, the conversation transformed, and their engagement increased instantly.
Two defining moments shaped my sales rotation. The first occurred within my first month, when I sold a significant quantity of coring rigs to a customer whose buying patterns typically left little room for deviation. Only weeks earlier, I knew nothing about coring systems, so I spent time at home practicing, learning, and familiarizing myself with every detail. That preparation translated into confidence – and ultimately into a win that surprised even me.
The second moment came when I introduced MT 20, Hilti’s light‑gauge strut system, to a customer who previously only purchased it when mandated by general contractors. Over time, through demos, conversations, and countless jobsite visits, I earned their trust. Eventually, they adopted MT 20 for an entire project, purchasing so much material that I sold the county out of stock three separate times. It was one of the proudest moments of my rotation and a testament to how preparation, persistence, and customer relationships drive success at Hilti.
Lucas in Schann, Liechtenstein during his second rotation.
From Sales to Strategy: A New World Inside Corporate Development
My second rotation marked a complete shift in environment, pace, and mindset. I joined Hilti’s Corporate Development team at global headquarters in Liechtenstein – a setting defined by strategic precision, analytical rigor, and close collaboration with the Executive Board. Suddenly, I was surrounded by former consultants and working on long‑term initiatives with global implications. The transition from sales to strategy was dramatic. I moved from quick decision cycles and immediate customer interactions to complex stakeholder management and projects that required alignment across regions, functions, and leadership levels.
Working in Corporate Development taught me how to think more strategically, how to navigate executive‑level expectations, and how to approach business problems from a global lens. The initiative I supported centered on a core topic for Hilti and its customers – a project with the potential to influence future offerings if fully implemented. It was an opportunity that helped broaden my perspective on how Hilti operates at scale and how innovation is shaped not only in the field but also at the highest levels of the organization.
My Final Rotation: Bringing Products to Life Through Conventions, Market Insight and Innovation
Today, I am in my final rotation as a Product Manager responsible for Hilti’s wood and drywall cutting, sawing, and sanding portfolio in North America. I oversee the current lifecycle of products within my portfolio as well as products which we plan to launch in the upcoming year. The role combines everything I have learned so far from the customer insights from sales, showmanship, and the analytical discipline from Corporate Development, and the global mindset that has shaped me since childhood. It is challenging, fast‑paced, and endlessly rewarding, and it feels like the perfect continuation of my development journey.
Lucas with fellow Hilti colleagues.
A Future of Possibilities: The Leader I Hope to Become
I still don’t know exactly what title I want to hold in the future, but I do know the kind of leader I aspire to become. I want to empower people to be the best versions of themselves. I want to leave every role better than I found it. I want to continue learning, questioning, and innovating. And I want to contribute to an industry that builds the world around us – one that impacts communities, infrastructure, and the future of our planet.
Hilti has given me the space to grow, to stretch myself, and to discover not just what I want to do, but who I want to become. For that, I am deeply grateful.
Kickstart Your Career with a Global Business
The Outperformer Program at Hilti is more than a job, it’s your fast track to a global leadership career.
Over two years, you’ll step into the heart of our business through international rotations, gaining the experience, perspective, and strategic mindset needed to lead markets and drive impact. If you’re ambitious, curious, and ready to grow beyond borders, this is your opportunity.
