»Progress doesn’t always follow a straight line«
Five lessons from Monika Stelągowska-Djordjević
1. Take a step back to move forward
Progress doesn’t always follow a straight line; sometimes, you need to change direction to move forward. I started out studying mathematics to become a teacher, but in my final year at university, I changed my plans due to my interest in computer science. I realised that to truly succeed in IT, I needed a strong foundation. This is why I took a step back and pursued an additional degree in computer science. That decision changed everything. It gave me the foundational knowledge and confidence to build the career I have today.
2. Do what you love, every day
I truly believe in the saying, “Do what you love, and you will never work a day in your life.” It’s important to do what you enjoy, and not just chase a career for the money. For me, working in IT doesn’t feel like work because I genuinely like solving problems and fixing technical issues —it’s what drives me every day.
Monika has played tennis since she was six years old. As the chairwoman of Netcompany’s After Dark Tennis Club, she organises matches with her teammates and international colleagues.
3. Build trust with honesty and transparency
I believe an honest and transparent work culture is key to successful collaboration. That’s why I always do my best to break down potential barriers to make everyone feel comfortable and confident that their voices are heard. For example, by creating opportunities for people to communicate in more informal settings such as through our Teams channels, over coffee at the office, or at our After Dark events.
»For me, it’s not just about keeping up. It’s essential to constantly improve and inspire others to do the same.«
4. Keep learning to inspire
I’ve been working in IT for many years, and I know that experience isn’t enough. To truly lead and inspire, you need to keep learning and growing. That’s why I’m expanding my skills, and right now, I’m building my technical certifications to prepare for a more focused managerial role.
5. Support your team by sharing
I’m committed to supporting my team, and that starts with creating a collaborative environment. I always make sure we have opportunities to learn from each other. I organise knowledge-sharing sessions. These sessions typically happen after key milestones or when we have new features. It’s a chance for everyone to learn from each other and improve our work.
