Switzerland in focus: An interview with CEO Michi

⇒ Michi, a short introduction please:

I'm Michi, 40 years old, live in Switzerland and am the managing director of catworkx AG (Switzerland). In my free time I like to travel, I am interested in sports (sometimes I also do some ) and I enjoy being with great people.

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⇒ How did you become who you are professionally today?

A person's development depends on many factors: values, experiences, education, self-reflection, decisions, etc. I think a lot about life and personal development. I'm not someone who works towards a specific goal for a long time, but someone who likes to constantly set new goals. I want to learn something from every situation and develop myself further. Even if it is not always easy, it is the direct and honest criticism that helps me most. With the right people around me and a positive attitude towards life, I often succeed quite well. 😉

⇒ Why Atlassian?

Why not? No, seriously, I am convinced of the flexibility and integration possibilities of Atlassian tools. Besides, I think the spirit in the Atlassian ecosystem is unique and I like being a part of it. For me, thoughts and the associated decisions as well as subsequent changes always start at the cultural level, followed by the process-related component, which is then ultimately implemented at the technology level. So for me, it's not primarily about talking about a tool. I want to inspire people to improve something that already exists by thinking about how to do it best. And only then does Atlassian and the countless implementation options come into play.

⇒ When did challenges become strengths? Can you give us an example?

As the saying goes, a weakness is not necessarily a weakness if you are aware of it. And if you learn how to deal with it, it can become a strength. Because when you deal with something, you learn, and this process can lead to it becoming a strength. For example, in the past I have (often unconsciously) interpreted a lot of what I perceived. As a result, I often formed opinions much too quickly and judged on that basis, even though I might not have wanted to or should have. Through coaching, I have learned to observe things or establish facts without (mis)interpreting them. This helps me today to look at many things more objectively, to allow feedback and to focus my mental energy where I can put it to better use. 😉

⇒ What do you think about passion and commitment to work or a company?

You can only do something right if you do it with passion and commitment. This applies not only to work, but to everything. We all spend a large part of our time at work or in the company, so I always want to see meaning in my tasks and enjoy what I do.

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⇒ How important is employee motivation to you?

It is the most important thing, because we can only achieve our goals with a motivated team. Ideally, everyone is motivated by themselves, by seeing the deeper meaning of things, feeling comfortable in their environment and enjoying what they do.

⇒ How do you promote a positive corporate culture and good teamwork?

Open and transparent communication, mutual appreciation, respectful interaction and acceptance of individuality are certainly key. It is equally important to me that expectations and goals are clearly defined and constantly questioned. Furthermore, it takes trust in each individual and understanding, even when things don't go so well. A healthy feedback and error culture is essential, as is the inclusion of those involved in decision-making. The team always comes before egotism and status. 

I try to do my part as well as I would like everyone else in the team to do.

⇒ How do you rate the job as a manager? Do you think that this is a goal that one should strive for?

Not at all. There is a need for both specialist and leadership careers. Everyone has to find out for themselves what suits them, what they enjoy and how they can contribute to the greater good. Leadership is a task and not a status. A leadership career is no more valuable than a specialist career. I also like to draw a comparison with sport here: a team made up entirely of leaders will never be successful, nor will a team made up entirely of top scorers or goalkeepers. Without all the other roles that you don't see on TV but that also exist, the team will never be successful. So you need the right mix.

Do you have any tips for aspiring managers?

→ Enthusiasm: enjoy what you do.

→ Be authentic.

→ Reflect on yourself.

→ Trust: don't do everything yourself, but put the team in the best possible position to succeed.

→ Listen, observe, ask questions.

→ Be brave, but not reckless.

→ Allow individuality and compromise: Not everything has to be done exactly as you would have done it yourself.

→ Patience: Not everything will work the first time, but every step brings us forward.

→ Be flexible: either have a plan B or be able to improvise.

→ Always be at least one step ahead or think ahead.

→ Take care of your health and balance: switch off, relax, exercise, have fun, get enough sleep.

→ Humor: don't lose your sense of humor even in difficult situations.

Last but not least: → Be grateful and appreciative.