Jelena Flego

I will not say it’s the best book (only because I have a bucket list of 12 books to read this year), but the last book I read that made me think about how to better approach my interactions is ‘Emotional Intelligence’ by Daniel Goleman. This book strengthened my opinion on why emotional intelligence matters so much in our everyday interactions and in life. It helped me better understand what happens when emotions occur, what they represent, and how to be aware of them. It also taught me how to control emotions instead of letting emotions control me.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

As a child, I used to spend a lot of time creating and building different things, either from wood or paper.

I will never let go of my passion for learning new things.

I love what I do, and it’s difficult to imagine myself doing anything else. However, I would like to have more time to pursue other hobbies, one of which is remodeling old furniture.

I would travel more, meet new people, and learn about other cultures and experiences.

I have always been motivated by the opportunity to create and innovate. It's not just about using the latest technology but finding creative and innovative solutions for existing problems. When I start any new challenge, I always try to envision what it could be and how this new creation could improve or add value to the current state. Making an impact and changing customers' lives is the greatest motivator for me to bring my best every day.

My family has always been my biggest supporter throughout my life. I feel very fortunate to have great role models in my family, especially my mother, who was an executive manager in the tech industry. She has always supported me with career advice that shaped my future, and I could always turn to her if I had any doubts.

Even though I can see that things are a bit different today than when I started in the tech industry, I still believe we don’t have enough female leaders for the new generation to look up to. Women in tech often face gender stereotypes and biases, being perceived as not as 'tech savvy' and having a constant need to prove their competence. I remember times when I was the only woman on a project and had to work twice as hard to be seen as capable and to prove my abilities.

Since I studied Economics and don’t have a tech background, I initially thought this would be my greatest obstacle, but it never was. The technical aspects can always be learned, and I have always tried to choose projects where I could gain additional knowledge and experience. This led me to become the project lead for identity, SaaS, IaaS, and security services. Sometimes I felt I wasn't taken seriously, whether due to my lack of technical background, age, or gender, but that never stopped me from pursuing the most complex projects. Without that attitude, I would have never ended up where I am today.

I have been noticed for my perseverance in motivating and organizing people to deliver projects and my ability to think of new ways to resolve problems. I always enjoyed working through a problem with a team and the satisfaction of finding a solution that initially seemed impossible.

I believe the major accelerators for success in our field are the same as in any industry: mentorship projects and having a superior who allows you to develop and supports you throughout your career growth. I have been fortunate to have had some amazing superiors and mentors in my career who provided me with support, gave me the freedom to try things my way, and never tried to limit my career.

The question I get asked most often in my line of work is, 'How come you decided to switch from a corporate company to a start-up?"

I decided to switch from a corporate job to a start-up because sometimes in corporate life, things moved too slowly for me. In a start-up, I have the ability to shape everything from the ground up, build a team, have direct relationships with all my co-workers, and see how each individual and the product grow and develop over time.

Think about who you want to become and what steps you need to take to get there. Never underestimate yourself or your abilities; always strive to learn and grow. If you don't have an official mentor, find an unofficial one among your peers or superiors—observe and learn from them. Be bold, take risks, and push yourself beyond what you think you can achieve.

I believe in building strong relationships with my team members, and understanding their motivations, strengths, and areas for growth. Creating an environment where ideas and questions are welcomed fosters autonomy and ensures everyone feels valued and appreciated for their contributions.

Understanding people's motivations and assessing their abilities to determine how best to support them in achieving excellent results.

I foster commitment from my team by creating an environment where everyone can freely contribute their ideas. When team members see their contributions shaping the product vision and understand the impact of their work, they naturally become more engaged and motivated. Regular feedback sessions and open communication further reinforce their importance to both the product's success and the company's goals.

I am currently learning how to lead a company from its inception, focusing on skills such as hiring and organising staff, and developing a product portfolio from scratch. Understanding the significance of soft skills, building relationships, and effective communication as a leader are critical aspects in sustaining a successful team.

Our company specialises in developing machine learning models and software as a service products, leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver impactful solutions. Currently, we're focused on creating an application designed to empower farmers with optimisation and prediction models. This tool aims to enhance their daily operations and provide valuable insights derived from data analytics.

Technology, to me, represents endless possibilities.

I foresee AI gaining significant momentum and practical applications, particularly in retail and logistics. Retailers will increasingly rely on precise algorithms to enhance recommendations and shopping experiences. Additionally, AI will play a pivotal role in optimizing inventory management and advancing autonomous systems, especially in delivery logistics.

In my opinion, the greatest technological invention is the Internet. It has revolutionized how people access information, work, learn, shop, and entertain globally. Its transformative influence on daily life is unparalleled.

Technology is inherently neutral; its impact on society depends entirely on how it is utilised and the intentions behind its use. When leveraged responsibly, technology holds the potential to vastly improve our lives. It has democratised access to information, fostering inclusivity in society. Enhanced communication and productivity are other benefits, while advancements in health tech promise significant improvements in healthcare delivery and patient monitoring. However, vigilance is crucial to mitigate potential downsides, ensuring technology serves the greater good without unintended consequences.

I allocate dedicated time each day to immerse myself in technology news and updates. I regularly engage with various tech publications, podcasts, and communities to stay informed about emerging trends. Discussing these insights with like-minded peers fosters a deeper understanding and helps me anticipate industry developments. Additionally, attending tech conferences provides invaluable opportunities to network and gain firsthand knowledge of cutting-edge innovations.

In our daily operations, we rely heavily on several online tools that enhance collaboration and streamline our workflow. Firstly, our online chat platform reduces email overload and facilitates rapid sharing of thoughts and ideas. We utilize topic-specific streams where team members can subscribe to relevant discussions and unsubscribe as needed. For documentation, we leverage online workspaces to ensure information is easily accessible.

Project management tools are essential for tracking progress across tasks and team members. Online meeting platforms are indispensable for seamless communication and collaboration, eliminating the constraints of physical presence. These tools not only simplify our day-to-day operations but also expedite the onboarding process for new team members, making information readily available and tasks manageable.

I always like to check out what is new on Wired. It gives me great info on what is trending in tech. TED talks are another type of website I check out regularly. I can always find interesting topics to listen too, even if they may not always be in connection to my direct work.

As for my favourite and least favourite technology products, one I find indispensable is the smartphone. It may not be the pinnacle of technological achievement, but my entire life resides within it – from birthdays and meetings to personal data. Without it, I'd likely be carrying around a multitude of notebooks.

Another favourite is Google Search. I appreciate its comprehensive indexing, allowing me to access information from virtually anywhere on the planet.

Conversely, my least favourite tech product would have to be social media, despite my active presence across various platforms. I've grown disillusioned with its current trajectory. Social media has increasingly become a hub for spreading fake news, showcasing fabricated lifestyles and achievements, and regrettably, fostering harassment and hate speech.

Throughout my years of working with diverse individuals, I've continually been amazed by the imaginative approaches each person takes to solving problems. For me, it's the application of imagination, creativity, and how these qualities manifest in practice that truly distinguishes each individual's uniqueness.

Success takes on various meanings and interpretations, varying from person to person. It's rooted in our internal values and achieving success aligns with those values without compromising our morality. While success itself may not compensate for values or morality, they are fundamental to the satisfaction and fulfillment we derive from our achievements.