At Softia, leadership transcends titles—it’s about nurturing growth, inspiring others, and maintaining harmony between professional and personal pursuits. Our colleague Marius Stanciu perfectly embodies this vision, our Development Manager, whose leadership journey reflects a dedication to teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning. Today, we’re excited to share Marius’s story and his invaluable insights on navigating leadership, embracing purpose, and fostering balance in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
1. Marius, can you share the story of your leadership journey and how it has evolved over the years?
I identified the need to understand the skills of my teammates to use them better and increase the efficiency and quality of our collective work. While getting to know them better, I found out that every one of them had a different approach to work, specific motivations, and desires, which made each interaction unique. While building relationships with everyone I worked with over the year, I realized that I enjoyed this kind of work and slowly took on more responsibilities related to people management.
2. How did your career path lead you to Softia?
I was at a point in my life where I wanted to do more. I had work experience, but what I was working on at the time was not enough. I started searching for new opportunities, and when I found Softia, I was impressed with the quality of the people, their expertise, and their openness to discussion, which they showed when I had my interview. This made me want to dedicate my time to working here for a long time.
3. What emerging trends and technologies is Softia focusing on to fuel its future growth?
Softia focuses on keeping its employees as motivated and involved as possible. Mental well-being and work-life balance are the main focus right now, so we can keep the quality of work top-notch and involve people who can focus on learning and adapting to the changing market trends and new technologies.
4. Can you share an example of how Softia has successfully adapted to a major market change or challenge?
In my opinion, the fact that Softia always focused on delivering consistently high-quality and high-value applications to their customers has provided the framework for existing clients to always recommend said services to other business partners.
5. As a Development Manager, has your leadership style changed over time?
Yes, my management style has evolved over the years to better suit the needs of the team and its members. I now better adapt to each individual, focusing more on getting to know everyone, understanding what drives them, and how to use their skills and expertise better to get the best results. I am also focused on helping team members improve year over year in skills or different aptitudes that will motivate them to be their best.
6. What’s the most valuable lesson you can share with someone on your team?
I would say it is best to work with your team as much as possible. Leverage their skills and experiences. Learn from them as much as possible to better your skills and experiences. Discuss problems as a team, pick the best solution from those available, and never dismiss any ideas. History taught me that no matter the skill level, ideas can be used to improve existing solutions or approaches already tested and working.
7. How do you foster a continuous learning and improvement culture within your team?
I encourage all team members to speak when they have an idea, a solution to a problem, or even just a random thought that could create a change for the better. Then, we analyze the impact and value it could provide and credit the finding to the person who had the idea. This way, everyone thrives on thinking outside the box and coming up with great ideas.
I also plan year over year with every member a set of skills that we would like to touch on and improve for a more robust skill set or to improve an existing skill that is lacking.
8. How important is it to have a purpose?
From my perspective, it is important to have a purpose because knowing where I am heading gives me a better understanding of the steps I need to take to get there. But I can’t deny that when I don’t have a clear view of the next step, the best approach is to just listen to my gut feeling and pick what feels right.
9. How do you balance your long-term goals while staying adaptable to fast-changing challenges in the tech industry?
My approach is to keep an open mind about the possibility of the said goals needing to be adjusted or delayed whenever big changes happen. Any small change usually just leads to some kind of adjustment to achieving said goal. At the end of the day, goals are there to provide us with a destination, and it’s our duty to figure out how to get to them.
10. What strategies or habits do you find most effective for maintaining your well-being and productivity?
Throughout the work day, I made it a habit to take regular short breaks, actually take a proper meal break, and enjoy my food relaxedly, not while working. Besides this, it is no secret that good sleep, regular walks outside, and a good dose of hobbies do help a lot.
11. How do you manage to create a balance between work and personal life?
I try to keep the work ‘time’ as separate as possible from my ‘personal’ time, and while I do understand situations of urgency that have to be taken care of as soon as possible, I do tend to leave those that are not urgent for the next work day. I also enjoy my holidays because I work with capable colleagues who can handle the day-to-day work while I am away.
12. How do you relax and unwind after a busy day or week? Do you have any hobbies or routines that help you recharge?
I enjoy cooking every other day and take it as a good time to unwind and relax while connecting with my wife. I also enjoy going on long walks throughout the city or in a park where I can clear my head, enjoy nature, or why not read a couple of pages. As a weekend treat, I enjoy playing RPG or strategy games when possible.
Marius’s leadership journey illustrates that true leadership lies in collaboration, adaptation, and empowering those around you. His approach to fostering growth, whether through individual mentorship or cultivating a culture of innovation, serves as a guiding light for aspiring leaders. By embracing change, nurturing purpose, and prioritizing balance, Marius exemplifies the values that drive Softia forward. At Softia, every day is a chance to learn, grow, and thrive together—and this story reminds us why leadership, at its core, is about connection and shared success.