Talking to Ioana is both relaxing and effortless; her voice carries a warm and inviting tone. Beneath this soothing presence, however, lies a methodical, exacting, and well-organized personality. Her extensive knowledge and the confidence in her voice are evident in every topic. This all becomes clear when you learn about her rich experience and remarkable journey.
I'm not sure what impressed me more in our conversation that inspired this article: her courage to take control of her life or her relentless motivation to keep moving forward. One thing is certain: Ioana strikes me as a leader from whom others can learn. She mentioned how, during her journey, she valued having mentors to learn from. Now, she has become an inspiration to many. All this while rocking out to Florence + the Machine and devouring everything related to The Witcher.
Curious? Read the full interview below.
Ioana, tell me a bit about your leadership journey.
I started working in 2009 as a developer. After five years, I transitioned into a leadership role when my manager asked me to mentor a colleague on a project that wasn't meeting client expectations.
Additionally, I was dissatisfied with how some things were managed. One time, I complained about this to the owner of the apartment I was renting, and then he asked, “Why don’t you do something about it?”. This was a key moment for me. I realized I could make a difference, so I approached my manager and expressed my desire to be more involved in management.
That's how my leadership journey began.
So, it all started with a conversation with your landlord...
(laughs) Yes, yes, who also worked in IT and was a bit older than me.
What happened next?
We then began growing the team. I've always believed in doing whatever it takes to make things work. My career followed this principle: I took on roles like Scrum Master, Team Lead, and Project Manager, all while continuing development. Titles and defined responsibilities never mattered much to me; my goal was for the team to succeed and adapt. I learned a lot by diving into areas where I wasn't initially skilled.
And then came RebelDot?
Not immediately. I stayed at my previous company until I felt I couldn't make a positive impact anymore, then moved to another firm where the start was challenging due to a canceled project. For the first time, I had nothing to do and discovered how frustrating that was, so I asked my manager for tasks and started with shadow coding.
Then, about three years ago, I had the chance to join RebelDot as a Delivery Manager. Since the offer came from Alex, a former colleague, I decided to explore it out of curiosity. I enjoyed the discussions and decided to join. It was an intense start with three projects and marked the first time I stopped coding completely. Working with long-time employees, I learned about the culture and what it means to be at RebelDot. Despite difficult projects and demanding clients, I gained valuable experience. In every company, I've always had people from whom I could learn.
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Now you are a Delivery Director at RebelDot. Has your leadership style changed over time?
Yes, my leadership style has evolved significantly as I have grown. I've learned to stay calm and control my impulses. I've also mastered the art of maintaining a neutral expression, as it's not always beneficial for clients to read certain emotions on your face. Challenging experiences have taught me patience and empathy, even in difficult situations. These lessons have shaped me into a more effective and understanding leader.
What’s the most valuable lesson you can share with someone on your team?
It's hard to choose, but I’ll tell you the first things that come to mind.
Firstly, never give up. Since joining RebelDot, I've learned from Tudi, our CEO, that what seems impossible can become possible with persistence. I've always fought for what I wanted, even if it made me seem aggressive at times. But over time, I’ve learned that it’s not just about yourself; it’s also about the client and other people you work with. You may not always achieve the ideal outcome, but you can reach a workable compromise.
Secondly, don't be guided by emotions. While it's normal to have them, it's crucial to take a moment or sleep on them before making decisions.
Lastly, always seek solutions in any situation. Avoid getting stuck or refusing to act. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is essential for growth.
Can impulsiveness sometimes be beneficial, especially when quick decisions are needed?
Context is crucial. For example, being impulsive during client discussions is usually not appropriate. However, there are times when quick action is necessary. The intention and manner of communication are important. It's essential to clarify afterward that any impulsive reactions stemmed from a passion for solving the issue, not personal reasons.
There’s a lot of talk about work-life balance nowadays, and you have a very demanding role. How do you manage to create a balance?
I’m not sure I always succeed, especially recently. It’s something I’ve been working on for as long as I can remember, with varying degrees of success.
It's important to constantly remind ourselves of our priorities and schedule activities to create space. In my case, if there's free time in the calendar, it quickly gets filled, so I need to schedule other activities to protect that time.
Recently, I started attending dance workshops that connect the body and mind, which helps me detach from work. Without such activities, my mind tends to stay at work even after I leave the office. It's essential to stop your mind and refocus it on something else. Identifying what's important to you and regularly reminding yourself of these priorities helps shift your focus.
Yes, we’re quite dependent on our virtual calendars now. With so much happening around us, it helps to even schedule rest time.
I’ll start doing that. So far, I’ve only scheduled personal events, not rest time. I realized I don’t plan for rest and only take breaks when I’m completely out of energy or if I have nothing else to do, which rarely happens.
And how is it now when you have nothing to do? Is it as frustrating as it used to be, or is it something you now desire?
At work, I can't imagine sitting idle. My to-do list is always endless, and even without deadlines, I constantly find tasks to complete. I've come to appreciate moments when I don't have urgent tasks and can work at my own pace, but I can't envision doing nothing at work.
In my personal life, however, I've learned to value moments of doing nothing. Last year, while at the seaside, I had a revelation. Waiting for friends, I intended to read a book but found the scenery so captivating that I simply sat and gazed into the distance. It was the first time I realized I could simply do nothing and feel content.
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What would you have done if you hadn’t chosen a career in tech?
I believe I would have pursued a career in NGOs, focusing on human or animal rights, where I could feel I was making a meaningful impact. For me, the tech path was natural; I’ve had an inclination towards this field since I was little. While it's difficult to imagine doing anything else, working in the NGO sector is a likely alternative.
From what we've discussed so far, you seem like a purpose-driven person. How important is it to have a purpose? Or is it better to go with the flow sometimes?
Having a purpose provides direction and contributes to overall happiness. It's not just about achieving the goal but enjoying the journey towards it. This sense of direction gives structure to life. However, it's also beneficial to go with the flow sometimes. For example, I used to plan vacations meticulously to see as much as possible. Recently, I've started exploring without a preset schedule, and it's been very enjoyable. Going with the flow helps you relax and live in the moment.
Do you have any hobbies? I think I heard something about writing.
Yes, people say I write a lot and beautifully, suggesting I could write books. (laughs) I haven't done that yet, but I do practice journaling sometimes, though not consistently. Writing down my thoughts helps clear my mind.
Additionally, I've been volunteering at a family-type home since 2011. It's interesting how my volunteer work has evolved as the children have grown. We used to go for walks or do various activities for about two hours a week, but now we spend several hours together on Saturdays. This activity gives me a sense of purpose because I feel like I'm helping.
I also enjoy going to concerts and festivals. If I had more energy, I’d fill my calendar with just that. I especially like Electric Castle, Artmania, and Jazz in the Park. Music can evoke any emotional state I need.
Now I have to ask, what’s your favorite band?
A few years ago, I would have said Muse, but I think I overplayed them. Now I listen to a variety of genres, including rock, indie, and pop artists like Florence + the Machine and London Grammar.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
French fries and bakery products. Bakery products remind me of my childhood when I used to bite into warm, freshly baked bread.
Speaking of food, here’s my last question: if you were to organize a dinner party, who would you invite?
Henry Cavill because I have a passion for The Witcher, and I know he shares this passion. I think we could have long discussions about it. I’ve read the books, played the games, watched all the series, even the older Polish ones. (laughs)
I’d also invite Timothée Chalamet to cover my new passion for Dune. He has an interesting film history, which means interesting stories.
Ioana’s journey from developer to Delivery Director is marked by her courage to take risks and her relentless motivation to push forward. Her success is driven by a blend of passion, resilience, and a keen sense of purpose. Her transition from coding to management was fueled by a desire to make a positive impact, and her journey is characterized by a continuous pursuit of knowledge and growth.
Ioana’s story illustrates that true leadership is about more than professional achievements; it’s about inspiring others, balancing life’s demands, and finding joy in both the challenges and the quiet moments.
