When times are tough, who or what is an anchor for you?
Asking myself what this could be good for. And if I don’t find an answer, knowing that it will be good for something — even if I can't see it today.
What's an attitude that we should pay more attention to in the workplace?
Love your results. Work is about achievements and improvements. If we accept it, we will find peace in our work and be successful. If not, there will be stress and discontent. Claiming that life must be easy is unrealistic and leads to unhappiness.
What’s a guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
Responsibility is more important than popularity. Being responsible for your results leads to a successful business. Decision making based on whether people will like you or not will end in disaster.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
It’s not about you. It’s not about the others. It’s about what you can achieve together. Find your balance within your level of responsibility.
What was a pivotal moment where your business made a big leap forward?
When we had the courage to invest in a new technology without the certainty of success, but with a clear vision of what could be possible and might change the world in our context.
What personal habit or behavior helped you accelerate your personal growth?
Focusing on what I can influence — and leaving aside what's only in my own interest.
What book do you recommend the most?
Rick Rubin „The Creative Act.” It's the most inspiring book I read this year.
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Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
When I was 16 (way before the internet) I founded a travel-partner agency to connect people from different backgrounds seeking travel companions. After a year, I had to close the agency due to a lack of customers and the confusion some callers had regarding the nature of the “service.” Despite this setback, I gained invaluable insights into sales, communication and people’s needs, solidifying my desire to run a business that helps people.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
After graduating, I worked for an extremely well-paying automotive company. But I always had the feeling that there was more out there. So I quit and went into research with the aim of becoming a founder.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
There are no overnight miracles, it's very hard work: both physically and emotionally. Requires resilience, grit, strategic approach and grind.
What’s an important guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
One of our core values is experimentation. Rather than get stuck in arguing about what solution may best solve a problem or play to our ego, we focus on the smallest step we could possibly take to learn whether that’s true. It moves our minds away from thinking too big without sweating the small stuff and from getting stuck in discussions rather than actually doing something to understand the possible solutions better.