It may sound simple, but realizing and truly understanding that we are all different and driven by different things has made a significant impact on me. This insight has changed the way I approach relationships and leadership.
Leaders should understand that their role goes beyond decision-making; it's also about empathy. People spend a significant portion of their lives at work, so it's essential to create an environment where they feel they can be their true selves: valued and supported.
I wish I had understood my absolute strengths and weaknesses earlier. This would have allowed me to collaborate more effectively with people who complement my skills and focus on leveraging my strengths rather than struggling against my weaknesses.
My secret sauce is recognizing the unique strengths and motivations of each team member. By embracing diversity in skills and perspectives, I create a culture where everyone can contribute meaningfully and feel valued.
It might sound simple, but I love starting meetings by just asking everyone how they're doing. It’s a great way to connect, build trust, and make sure everyone feels comfortable before diving into work stuff.
My approach to balance might not work for everyone, but I maintain it by frequently switching between work and personal life. This means that my work often blends into my private life during times when the norm would suggest otherwise. However, we're all different, and I've found a way that works for me.
My daughter is my strongest anchor during difficult times. She has an incredible way of helping me see the bigger picture and reminding me of what truly matters in life, and how small my "problems" are compared to that.
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I always thought that my life can be balanced between personal, business, health, family, finances and love. In that sense how much energy I put in and get back. But with the years, I learned that life is imbalanced by nature. It's still a goal for me and I believe if all parts are some kind of balanced, this speaks of a highly valuable life, but accepting that there will always be a certain imbalance, helped me a lot.
It’s always a good idea to be connected to your product – even if you have to deal with high-level topics, always remember the things you offer.
In one of the hardest times of my life so far, I started journaling for 1-2h on Sundays. Not digital, but with paper and pen. Always answering the same questions related to self, social life and work. This brutally honest and regular reflection once a week helped me identify problems early and iterate fast.
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.