Being Part of a People-First Team

When Li Xian first joined Ramboll's Transport team as an intern in 2021, she quickly found a strong sense of connection among her fellow interns and colleagues. While remote work was an option, many of her fellow interns chose to work from the office, which created opportunities to learn from one another, exchange ideas and build relationships.

Supported by a buddy system and surrounded by colleagues who were generous with their time and knowledge, Li Xian found a workplace where people genuinely looked out for one another. That experience stayed with her after graduation, when she reached out to return as a full-time employee. Today, she remains part of the team she first joined as an intern.

Having Support When It Matters

As Li Xian reflects, “The strength of our team comes from people openly sharing what they know and working through challenges together.” Whether navigating complex client situations or unfamiliar technical issues, colleagues openly share experiences and advice to help one another find solutions. “Knowing that we can draw on one another’s knowledge gives us the confidence to explore different perspectives and make informed decisions together.”

That support is reinforced by the team’s leadership. Ray Krishna, Head of Transport, encourages the team to not lose sight of the individuals behind the work and ensures that there is always a human touch. For Li Xian, this means success is not measured simply by how many reports the team produces, but also by how well people collaborate and look out for one another while delivering for clients.

One experience from her internship captured this culture perfectly. During a fast-paced project, a project manager approached a group of interns with a technical question that no one knew the answer to, including the manager herself. Rather than seeing this as a weakness, Li Xian saw it as an example of humility and openness. "Seeing someone with more experience than I do openly admit they didn't have all the answers showed me that it's okay to ask questions and learn together."

That openness starts with leadership. Li Xian credits the team's leaders for creating an environment where people feel trusted, supported and encouraged to speak up.

A Culture Built on Connection

The Transport team’s culture is reflected in the everyday moments as much as in the work itself. Colleagues make time for one another, whether discussing project challenges, exchanging knowledge or simply sharing lunch together. These everyday gestures have helped create strong relationships that extend beyond individual projects.

Regular team meetings provide a space to raise challenges and identify how colleagues can help one another. Friday lunch-and-learn sessions also allow team members to share knowledge in an interactive setting, with people protecting the time so everyone can participate and learn. Together, these practices create a sense of psychological safety in which team members at every level feel comfortable contributing, learning and asking for support.

Li Xian fondly recalls, “The friendships I built during my internship never faded. They've only become stronger as we've worked through challenges together." For her, the result is a culture that values effectiveness with people, rather than efficiency at their expense.

Career development through mentorship

“The guidance and mentoring I received as an intern gave me a strong foundation for my career.” By shadowing her internship buddy, Sandeep, on projects, she learnt from his experience and developed a deeper understanding of different ways to approach problems.

As they continued working together, Li Xian gradually took on greater ownership and responsibility, while still having a trusted colleague to exchange ideas with and turn to for guidance. That early experience helped shape the confidence she now brings to her work.

Today, she values having the space to think independently, improve her work and contribute ideas, while knowing that support is available when she needs it. “Open communication and flexibility give me the space to take ownership, while knowing that my colleagues, project managers and line managers are there to guide me when I need support.”

Li Xian’s journey reflects the lasting impact of a people-first team culture. Her journey from intern to full-time consultant has been shaped not only by the projects she has worked on, but also by the people around her. From mentors who invested in her growth to teammates who became close friends, her experience reflects the kind of environment where people can develop professionally while feeling genuinely connected to those they work with.