1. Who have you work with that has most inspired you in your career, and how?
My parents - both engineers. I definitely got my analytical side from them. They are still my greatest supporters. However, they always remind to be self critical and to always improve. From my professional life, this person is Glenn Clarke – a Managing Director at the investment fund I worked for in London. He taught me to never say “this can’t be done”. Glenn kept challenging me all the time, and made me realise that success and the feeling of self-fulfilment is quite often hidden in the process and in the things you learn on the road to the ‘desired’ result.
2. How would you describe your political/leadership style in three words?
Commitment, passion and integrity. The most important evaluation for a good leader is their team. On that scale, I won’t be humble – the people working with me are extraordinary. Work is often challenging but even in the hardest times we manage to stick together, remain creative and produce the best output possible, one which is often quite innovative and unexpected.
3. What do you do in your free time to relax and unwind?
Horseback riding. It makes me forget about all my cares and problems. It gives me a feeling of freedom combined with the realisation that one wrong move could be crucial.
4. What one item would you save from your house or apartment/house if it was on fire? (Apart from your photo album)
Maxi – my cat. He is often working with us in the office. He forces us to be efficient so that we have time for him.
5. What’s the most inspirational book you have read and why?
Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz; I read it during my school years. The quote I still remember is “in our world it is easier to find a philosophy rather than a good advice”. It may have different interpretations, but mine is that we should always take the final decisions ourselves. A decision is good when it is based on information, data and opinions. We need to be an active ‘perceiver’ in the society in order to be able to give something in return.