Back to School #1: Serendipity and Growth Mindset

It was the first time I saw my classmates from Middlesex University in London. After 3 years! Not only my excitement was palpable as we donned the ceremonial hats and dresses to receive our diplomas.

The graduation ceremony brought me back to my student years with all the excitement about what the future holds. First, the photos, keepsakes, families, videos, and then back to the row with others for the diploma, waiting for my name to be called out. A little deja vu dawned on me – transporting me 25 years back to CVUT. If you are looking for the Fountain of Youth, this is it.

The trip back down memory lane had actually started even earlier when I had to sort out the cancelled hotel booking and ended up in a room without windows in the sub-basement level without a Wi-Fi signal. Then, I missed the tiny detail that my graduation time differed from my classmates', which I resolved at the last minute. Back to school 100%.

How It All Began

I often talk about serendipity. By definition, it is a fact of something interesting or pleasant happening by chance. This is how I got to my studies, in a way. I was given the opportunity to join SAP’s Master‘s program, and I thought great, let’s do it! Typical me. When I got an official letter from Middlesex University to apply with all the necessary student documentation, I started to realise what a massive undertaking this would be. Also, staying true to myself, I took the leap of faith, oblivious to what would ensue.

When I saw the sheer amount of literature and materials I had to go through in every module, it was tough. After finishing the first one, I came back to Tom Kindermans to ask why he had nominated me to apply for the program. My two assumptions were: 1) He saw great potential in me and wanted me to channel it, 2) My creative ideas at work may have been a bit too much lately, and he wanted to keep me busy. Funnily enough, he smiled and answered: Both. ??

A huge personal challenge was starting my MSc studies during COVID-19. I am a people person, an extrovert who loves in-person interactions, and the transition to 100% remote self-study wasn’t easy. But our study group and the lecturers kept me going.

Of course, there were moments when I nearly gave up. However, I want to finish what I had started not just for the sake of it but for the added value this brings to my life, both intellectually and mentally.

foto: final stage of the master poject

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The Importance of Psychological Safety

But back to the power of serendipity. ?? I feel that the master‘s course, whose name I shortened to ?Master of Transformation,“ is particularly relevant in today‘s rapidly changing world. Each module seemed almost tailored to what I was dealing with then. Particularly the topic of psychological safety was spot on during and after COVID-19.

In such demanding times, I felt the immense support of my team. I told them right off the bat that they would be my personal laboratory to test some of the theories I had learned. Three of my colleagues attended the initial coaching course, which was a very positive experience.

When the time came to complete my final project, I felt tremendous respect and excitement from all the possibilities, especially regarding the field research. After careful consideration, I chose ground theory as a way to go. Just a hint here – if you think guided interviews are easy, let’s say you are up for a surprise.

Throughout the two years, I learned to be bold and ask for help so that I do not spend my energy reinventing the wheel. Be it @Radovan Bahbouh who helped me opt for the ground theory, or Petr Ludwig who offered me advice on making the most out of all the interviews in a short time frame without losing any added value.

Here’s a good place to stop for a moment of gratitude. All the women willing to openly share their personal experiences allowed me to gather more than 20 in-depth best practices stories with top managers who had successfully integrated psychological safety into their Teams. Thank you for all your stories, which highlight the transformative power of this approach and provide valuable insights for others. Of course, I cannot forget my family and friends who helped sort out my notes or final edits. You are the best, and I am glad I came to you to ask for your insights.

Rediscovering the Joy of Learning

Apart from all the knowledge and people I got to know, this adventure grew into something much, much more significant because I rediscovered my passion for learning.

My role at work and the tech industry in general have satisfied my hunger for learning something new. Nevertheless, it was my study at the university that showed me the beauty of discovery once again. I remember my school years and the deep desire to connect the dots that no one had ever thought of connecting. Putting theories to the test, challenging the status quo, you name it.

Having submitted the final project a few months ago and with the diploma in my hands, I am eagerly looking at the horizon. Psychological safety (and serendipity) is definitely a field I strive to explore more thoroughly. I feel this is a necessity in my work as a manager.

I recall a discussion about the crisis of leadership at one conference lately. I do not deem it a crisis per se. What we need to acknowledge is that the world we knew has changed, and we need to navigate our way in the new one. Historical experience will gradually become less useful, which, of course, is going to be a tremendous challenge for me as SAP impacts companies across all industries.

foto: My Fountain of Youth is lifelong learning

New Topics in My Daily Agenda as a Managing Director

Psychological safety, emotional intelligence, the digital skills gap, and the young generation in the workforce have been the hot topics of today. For me, they all boil down to one thing – the answer to long-term future success lies in the people and their education. Jan Amos Komensky said it himself: “The next era is shaped by how the future citizens are raised.”

These four topics are deeply woven into my personal journey. The more I learn about them, the more I am convinced that the key to sustainable long-term growth is the willingness to better oneself, the ability to keep learning, and the recognition that change is necessary for progress. Looking back, I realise that some of my attempts to find quick fixes had no chance of long-term success.

I am proud to be living in this era that brings a major shift to all areas of our lives. Somehow, I feel a strong need to be a part of it, contribute to its definition and creation, and become a guide for others. The last 36 months have been heavily condensed and revealed horizons that I would like to come back to and explore further: Areas where psychological safety and emotional intelligence can help the most, what it means for my personal transformation and my team or how to manage change and apply it.

Looking Ahead

My master’s program started as an experiment, and gradually, I discovered the power of learning. Each new topic opened new doors, connected with previous ones, and started answering my questions, such as “Am I doing it well?” or “How can I do it better?”

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that sharing knowledge is a powerful tool for learning. I have created a group with whom I share my knowledge and experience, and it has brought me so much more than I ever could have imagined. Not only have I gained a wealth of new contacts, but I have also expanded my horizons and discovered new perspectives.

Learning is not just about acquiring new skills or knowledge. It is about personal growth and development, and the journey is just as important as the destination. As I continue my learning journey, I am excited to see where it takes me and what new opportunities will come my way.

So this year, I’ve decided to take a brief hiatus from formal education, opting instead for an “extracurricular” course. Meanwhile, I will be delving deeper into the qualitative research stories and their results. I look forward to sharing more of this journey and its outcomes with you all.

foto: The world is a small place. I am sure I will meet some of you again. ??

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