What's a question you like asking — yourself or your colleagues?
“Are you having fun?” — We all know that happier employees are more healthy and more productive. So why do we so rarely talk about what brings us joy at work?
I’ve added variations of “Are you having fun?” to my repertoire of questions I love to ask myself and others—and it turned out to be a surprisingly powerful launchpad into truly insightful conversations with my team.
What's a skill that we should pay more attention to in the workplace?
Great writing skills. And no, this doesn’t only apply to folks in marketing or other customer-facing fields.
Whether your team is fully remote or not, I believe one of the key foundations to a productive, transparent work environment is mastering the art of asynchronous communication. And to make that work, all team members must be great at sharing their work, thoughts, and opinions in writing.
What newsletter do you subscribe to?
I get genuinely excited every time a newsletter from the Raw Signal Group hits my inbox. As leadership consultants, Jonathan and Melissa have supported lots of leaders on their quest to become better managers and they frequently turn their observations and advice into blog posts that are actually helpful and a true joy to read.
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Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
When times are tough, who or what is an anchor for you?
My co-founders are my anchor in work-related topics. Having an environment where failure is welcomed with a helping hand and where weakness is valued as openness, once you are down those people will drag you up.
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.