Florentina Greger, Chief Talent Experience Officer, Zitec: The leader is the sum of work’s and people’s environment

Enrolling in the HR adventure

It wasn’t exactly “It’s been 84 years…” from Titanic, but my HR specialist adventure also began way back in time – 17 years ago to be more specific. I started my journey as a consultant, but my passion for the industry naturally led me to dive headfirst into all things HR. 

And that’s where Zitec comes in. I’ve been working in this great ecosystem for almost 15 years – that’s 85% of my career! I joined them in 2010 as a specialist, and the rest, as they say, is history… a beautiful one. I’ve witnessed the company and myself grow side-by-side, experiencing a people-centric culture that remained constant no matter if we were 30 or 300. And as the team expanded, the transition to a coordinating role came & felt smooth.

Just like any Zitec teammate, I embrace the belief that “learning never stops”

I find myself on a continuous learning journey, keeping pace with the shifting trends in HR practices and the ever-changing software industry. That made me able to strike a balance between ensuring a quality recruitment process and nurturing a happy, motivated internal community.

Plus, an entrepreneurial business like Zitec doesn’t let you “relax” in your comfort zone – we’re constantly encouraging one another to push our professional boundaries, experiment, all while keeping the human element at the heart of everything we do.

But beyond the courses, the professional breakthroughs, the problems solved, and the practices implemented, I’m sure my career wouldn’t be the same without the incredible mentors I’ve had along the way. It’s truly empowering to know that people genuinely care about your growth, investing their time, patience, and trust in your development.

In a nutshell, the leader in me is a sum of the environment and the leadership style I found at Zitec, combined with my commitment to never forgetting the “H” in “HR”. 

Building Zitec’s Talent Experience team from the ground up

I’ve been lucky to experience many milestones in my career, but what truly fills me with pride is building Zitec’s Talent Experience team from the ground up. It’s been about creating a safe environment, fostering personal and professional growth, and seeing the team become independent – all while upholding Zitec’s values and spreading them in the community.

We started small, but now we’re a team of 15, divided into 5 sub-departments: Organizational Development, Talent Acquisition, People Operations, People Allocation and Community. Different, yet all sharing a common goal: making #lifeatzitec a truly enjoyable, fair, and happy experience for everyone. And they #makeitso (any Star Trek fans out there?) every single day. 

Whether with childhood friends or sticking to a workplace, I believe it all comes down to values – and there’s a real match between what I hold dear and what Zitec stands for. As soon as I start my working day, they’re all around me – from respect and courage to performance and authenticity. While I can talk about them, they’re truly something you have to feel to understand. So, consider this your invitation to step into our Zitec Universe – feel free to take a stroll and who knows, maybe even stick around a while longer!

The people-first approach is not just a surface-level commitment; it’s about genuinely caring for one another

What I truly appreciate is our people-first approach, and what makes it truly special is its authenticity. It’s not just a surface-level commitment; it’s about genuinely caring for one another, fostering a supportive environment. We’re all working towards getting better at what we do, but there’s also a strong emphasis on being considerate and supportive of one another, no matter the situation.

We’re also strong advocates for transparency and openness in all aspects of our work. This helps everyone realize they’re truly valued and integral members of our community.

For example, we brought together colleagues from all across the country last month in a Company Report event, to discuss what 2023 meant for Zitec – from the financial numbers to our achievements, challenges, and plans for the future. It was an opportunity for everyone to gain a comprehensive understanding of where we stand and where we’re headed.

Furthermore, we made sure to address all our colleagues’ questions during the event (100+, so not the easiest task), rewarding those that were particularly relevant and insightful. So, whether you’re curious about Zitec’s current status or how we’re navigating regulatory challenges, you can count on any of our colleagues to provide you with the information you need.

Zitec is definitely on a growth trajectory, both as a business and as a team

Like all the other industry players in Romania, we’ve also faced some challenges due to the regulations changes and the slower industry pace, but we’re proud to have surpassed Gartner’s forecasted growth rates for IT services (7.3%) and software (12.9%) in 2023. Achieving an organic YoY revenue growth of 15%, while ensuring full tax coverage for our team speaks volumes about our resilience, and this made us set even higher goals for 2024. To be honest, we wouldn’t be Zitec if we weren’t constantly aiming for the next challenge! 

Looking ahead to 2024, we still expect some bumps in the road due to the overall economic climate. However, we’re confident that our focus on collaboration and innovation will help us maintain our growth trajectory, even if it’s at a slightly slower pace than before.

On the Human Resources side, it’s clear to me that organizations will prioritize putting technology to work for positive change. This means automating some of the repetitive tasks so our Talent Experience teams can focus on what they do best: supporting the business and colleagues. It’s worth mentioning again: learning never stops. That means keeping up with skills development within our communities will continue to be important. We’ve got to ensure these programs address all aspects, both professionally and personally.

Finally, let’s not forget the power of data! While creative ideas are always welcome, data-driven decision-making is essential for HR, too. Gut feelings and happy vibes alone don’t cut it anymore.

Leaders in Zitec adapt their approach to each individual and the whole team, considering where everyone is in their journey, both personally and professionally. It’s like building a puzzle – unique pieces, but the end result is always a beautiful, connected picture.

Personally, I don’t want to be just “the leader” or, worse, “the boss.” I see myself as someone who helps others become leaders themselves. My biggest satisfaction comes from seeing my team grow in autonomy, take ownership of decisions, even if those decisions result in failure. We all know failure is just another step on the professional ladder, and it’s nothing to be afraid of as long as we learn from it.

This is the leadership style I apply, and it’s mirrored by the leaders I work with. I’m truly lucky to be surrounded by such inspiring individuals. And speaking of inspiration, it doesn’t come with a fancy title for me. Anyone with a strong work ethic, who takes their role seriously but doesn’t take life too seriously, is someone I look up to. Luckily, there are lots of examples around me every day. 

Making an impact is my North Star, and there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing my work and contributions leave a mark, both on the larger Zitec ecosystem and in the team I directly coordinate.

Whether it’s a Mirro kudos, someone randomly bringing treats to the office, or witnessing colleagues supporting each other through project challenges, these moments of positivity come in all shapes and sizes, and they never fail to inspire me.

Much more than that, being part of building a supportive workplace, a tight-knit community where diversity is celebrated and everyone can be their authentic selves – well, that’s simply priceless.

No matter how long you’ve been navigating your career path, please remember to keep the human touch in every decision you make and every step you take.

Our professional world is getting increasingly dynamic and digital, demanding flexibility, adaptability, and resilience, but if we constantly care about each other’s needs, the expected results will surely follow.

Experiment, be patient, and discover what truly suits your career path. Remember, progress takes time as you gain experience, mature, and discover your purpose.

But at the same time, don’t lose sight of yourself amidst the tasks, milestones, deadlines, and performance reviews. You are more than just your job, so take care of your own needs too. You need to be happy in order to grow, and trust me, your colleagues will appreciate a happy and balanced you. Our Zitec colleagues can vouch for that, even the ones constantly “spammed” by the Talent Experience Team to take their well-deserved days off!

The power words for 2024

Balance. Rest. Quality time off – these are my power words for 2024. My bucket list this year prioritizes self-compassion, understanding, and the ability to focus on what truly matters professionally. Sunny travels are also on the horizon, but that’s a story for another day. 🙂