Beyond Borders: How International Experience Shaped Adam’s Growth at Hilti

Written in collaboration with Adam Schaub, and the employer brand team

Development Made Real through International Experience

For many people, taking their career abroad can feel like an exciting idea that is still hard to imagine turning into reality. At Hilti, international experience is not only possible but part of how we help our people grow. With a strong global presence and a belief that diverse experiences shape stronger leaders, international assignments are an important part of development across the company. 

Employees are encouraged to explore new places, connect with new cultures, and expand their perspective in ways that stretch both their skills and their confidence. 

For Adam Schaub, that growth became real through an international assignment that took him from Germany to China. The experience reshaped how he leads, collaborates, and works with global teams. 

A Global Mindset from the Start

From the beginning of his Hilti journey, Adam saw his own curiosity reflected in the company’s culture of opportunity. That openness became the first step in a development journey that expanded his understanding of leadership, culture, and collaboration. Here's what he said:

In my very first interview with Hilti, we talked about global opportunities, I told them I was open to going abroad and they were looking for people who wanted that kind of growth.

Taking the Leap: From Germany to Shanghai

After several years in testing and engineering roles, Adam was invited to take on a new challenge of being a Head of Testing for Asia Development and Supply in Shanghai. 

For Adam, the opportunity was as challenging as it was exciting. The move meant adapting to a new market, a new team, and a new rhythm of work while leading a department of 42 people.

"I wanted to grow, not only technically but also in how I work with people from different backgrounds and cultures," he said. "The role in Shanghai gave me the chance to do that."

 

Hilti’s robust relocation support from managing logistics to helping with housing and family transitions made the move possible for him, but the real learning began once Adam settled into his new role.

Adapting Under Pressure

Shortly after arriving in Shanghai, Adam found himself leading through one of the most unpredictable global events in modern history: the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Despite the uncertainty, his team stayed focused on key initiatives, including testing and validation for Hilti’s Nuron battery platform, it is one of the company’s most significant innovations in recent years.

The experience taught me to adapt fast, you can’t plan for everything, but you can make the conscious decision to stay flexible and trust your team.

That period also gave Adam a new perspective on leadership, particularly the influence of culture on how teams respond to challenges.

"In Europe, everyone wants to share their opinion and have it heard and included. This provides incredible perspectives but can sometimes slow things down a bit," he explained. "In China, people focus fast. Decisions are made quickly without much question."

That pragmatism, Adam learned, had its own strengths. It showed him new ways to empower his teams and build alignment without unnecessarily extending the process.

Learning from Cultural Differences

One of the biggest lessons Adam took away from his time abroad was the importance of understanding how culture can shape personal motivation.

"I’ve coached basketball for years," he said. "When we played a friendly game in China, I did what I was used to in Europe and made sure everyone got a few minutes to play. We lost, but I thought it was fine. Then my teammates came to me and said, you didn’t understand. This guy is much better than me; he should have played more."

That mindset around prioritizing shared success has carried over into his work since.

Bringing it Home

After several years in Shanghai, Adam returned to Germany with new perspectives that have shaped his leadership approach.

"I learned a lot, I changed a lot," he reflected. "I became much more sensitive to how global development setups work. When you sit in Europe and schedule an all-day meeting, it might mean your colleagues in Asia are working until midnight. That experience taught me to be more aware (and more considerate) of how our decisions impact others across regions."

His time abroad reinforced that leadership at Hilti is about understanding people, cultures, and perspectives, and finding ways to connect them across borders to fuel innovation. 

 

A Culture of Development at Hilti

International assignments like Adam’s reflect Hilti’s commitment to making development real. These opportunities are designed to stretch employees, build global competence, and help people grow into leaders with a worldwide mindset.

Development was made real from the very beginning, even in my first interview, these opportunities kept coming, and every time I took one, development became real again.

Hilti offers comprehensive support that helps employees and their families thrive abroad, from logistics to on-the-ground guidance. The purpose is simple: to make growth tangible and accessible around the globe.

Advice for Building a Global Career

When asked what advice he’d give to anyone considering an international move, Adam doesn’t hesitate and said with a smile: 

Do it, be open, stay curious, and don’t be afraid of what’s different. The challenges are what help you grow.

Adam’s story reflects Hilti’s belief that international experience is more than a new assignment. It is an opportunity to stretch yourself, build lasting connections, and develop the kind of leadership that reaches across cultures and continents.

Ready to build a global career of your own? Explore our opportunities at Hilti and see how development can become real for you too.