Those are the words of Daniel Stockelid, whose career at SEB spans over 30 years. Today, he works as a Branch Manager in Gothenburg. Here, he tells us about his career development, finding his place in a complex organisation and the importance of building a strong network along the way.
During his studies at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg, Daniel worked part-time as a real estate agent for one of SEB’s former subsidiaries, Garnisonen. “I then got the opportunity to become a real estate agent full-time, which was a lot of fun. But after ten years, it was time for something new.” Through SEB’s internal career opportunities, Daniel started working in sales support, where he trained other bank employees in sales. “For several years, I travelled around to bank branches throughout Sweden to conduct sales training. In a very short time, I built a large network, for which I am incredibly grateful.”
This network soon led to Daniel’s first managerial position, as a Customer Service Manager in Gothenburg. “There were hectic days when we could have a queue of more than 300 customers, but I don’t regret anything. It was an incredibly educational and exciting time, and we became a really close-knit team.” Three years later, in 2000, Daniel moved to 24|7 Service, which was in a phase of expansion. “This department felt like the future, and I got to work on many exciting projects. I was involved in building a nationwide network for the department, which now exists in Gothenburg, Stockholm, and Sundsvall. It was a fantastic journey, but after many years there, I felt it was time for a new challenge.” In 2020, Daniel became the manager for a transformed full-service branch in Gothenburg.
Tell us more about your role as a Branch Manager! What made you choose this path?
“I used to joke about becoming a Branch Manager towards the end of my career, but when the offer came, I was hesitant. After having worked at a bank branch 20 years earlier, I was unsure if it was right for me and initially declined. But the next day, I changed my mind and took the role—just as the pandemic hit. It was an unexpected start with many challenges, but we quickly built a strong team and improved both customer and employee satisfaction. The role has been a fresh start for me. I constantly learn from skilled colleagues and get to do everything from supporting my employees and meeting customers to physical tasks such as replacing a copier. It's incredibly fun, and the days always fly by.”
Leading with experience
Leading with experience means using both your knowledge and network to achieve success. For Daniel, his long career at the bank has given him exactly that. “Over the years, I have built up a wealth of experience and an invaluable network. Being able to pick up the phone and know who to contact is immensely valuable. At the same time, I have also become more secure after working as a leader for several years, which makes me dare to take more chances. My goal as a manager is to find talented individuals who can move forward within the bank in the future. This can mean that sometimes several team members leave the team or that you dare to bet on untested candidates. Either way, you know it will all work out.”
After 30 years at SEB, how would you describe the internal career opportunities at the bank?
“The career opportunities are endless, and as an employee, there are really no limits. When I started working full-time instead of studying, I thought I wouldn’t be able to apply for the roles I wanted, but that hasn’t been the case. The bank has been fantastic, and I have been able to attend several courses and training programmes, including at the Stockholm School of Economics and the Wallenberg Institute—how many companies offer that opportunity? I have also had supportive managers who have challenged me, and you are always encouraged to try new things. That said, it has always been my choice to make the move, and my best advice to others is to stay curious and take every chance to participate in new projects—you learn an incredible amount that way.”