1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Human nature. Especially, getting people from knowing to doing. So many times people know how to do things better, but their behaviors don't follow. We even published a scientific article about that in 2022. It is called the Knowledge-Behavior Gap model.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

True leaders are good at leading themselves first. That includes understanding their own nature and building healthy relationships with the world around them. As we know, everything changes all the time. So, I decided to become the master of change rather remaining a victim of ever-changing circumstances. I looked for my behaviors and choices that were limiting my potential. I paid attention to understanding them first, and then designed ways to transform these patterns into a better alignment with my desired future developments.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I typically wake up without using an alarm, as I went to bed when I felt sleepy last night. I follow the natural rhythm of my biological supermachine. I have set up the night shift mode all day for my screens to minimize the blue light effect. I do a few minutes of exercise routine every day, and take a cold shower. I drink tea for most of the day, because I do intermittent fasting by eating once a day, around dinner time. I use my morning time for creative work. Then, check my emails around noon. And have scheduled all online conversations and meetings in the afternoons.

After dinner, I take a walk or just rest with my loved ones. Sometimes playing a table game or going to rollerblade around Paris. I also have my meditation events twice a week. Surprisingly, it is my time playing ice hockey. You may wonder why? Because this sport is so demanding that there is no room to spiral everyday thoughts in my brain. I fully disconnect for an hour or more. Really rewarding experience both physically and mentally.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Leading from behind. Recognizing various gifted talents and attributes in people, and then orchestrating them in the most optimal combination for achieving collective hyper-performance. The mastery of boosting productivity by emphasizing and leveraging the strengths of each team player. And finding the best ways of fitting their attributes together in an accelerated collaboration.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Frankly, I don't read books. This may sound really unexpected to hear from a professor. However, I believe that we can also quickly find the most relevant information by using modern technology, including online searches and novel AI-driven generators. I also look for insights on YouTube by watching other leaders in action.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Life gets simpler with understanding and easier with doing. There is nothing more essential to know when it comes to mastering your destiny and improving the lives of others. The issue is that many people have knowledge, but they hesitate to put it into practice. In short, the advice is to seek knowledge, test how well it helps, and then apply the most helpful as much as necessary.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

There are many stories. All of them include patience and a desire to serve others. With time, you can learn what is important for your followers. Especially, why it is meaningful and valuable for them. After that, you can make your contribution by empowering and encouraging everyone to pursue an efficient path toward their desired direction. In many cases, my efforts have been directed towards removing unnecessary barriers in their minds rather than adding any additional things into their hands.