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Agata, now celebrating her 7th anniversary at Columbus Poland, is a shining example of how passion for technology and an openness to growth can transform a career path. Starting as a Censhare developer in Digital Commerce, she now blends her technical expertise with a leadership role, managing a team of skilled programmers. 

➡ Read also: From trainee to hyper care for a customer in one year - meet Wilma!

A serendipitous start

Agata's journey at Columbus Poland began, as she describes, quite unexpectedly. While working in the niche technology of XSLT, she wasn't expecting many job offers. Then, she stumbled upon a job posting at Columbus Poland (then known as iStone). Eager to impress, Agata meticulously crafted both her CV and cover letter. Her efforts paid off quickly. "After sending my CV, I received a call from Tomek, a Regional Manager at Columbus Poland in Wrocław, almost 10 minutes later. He asked if we could meet. That's how my adventure with Columbus began" - she says, smiling. 

This unexpected encounter marked the beginning of her adventure in a company that became her professional home. Agata recalls the early years with a startup vibe – a small team, a relaxed atmosphere, and constant new challenges. Although initially uncertain, she soon realized she had made the right choice. "7 years ago, I was the only Censhare team member in Poland, so I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. But the atmosphere was great, and conversations with technical leaders from Sweden convinced me I would get the support I needed. Today, I know I made the right decision to join Columbus.” 

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Photo: Agata Kizny, Columbus Poland

Growing the team, growing the career

Over the years, Agata and the Censhare team have grown together. As a senior specialist, Agata participated in recruitment processes, matching new employees with our company. “We started small, and now our team consists of 11 people, taking on increasingly advanced projects. Each new team member motivated me as a professional – I love that we work with truly fantastic people”. 

As the team grew, Agata naturally began to take on more responsibilities, including onboarding new colleagues into the teams and projects and sharing knowledge and her expertise. “I never aspired to be a manager, but over time, I started feeling like the informal leader of our team, like the ‘mother’ of our Censhare family.” 

I want to explore a career at Columbus

Servant leadership – Agata’s way of leading

Today, Agata officially holds the position of People Manager, and she strongly believes in empowering her team members, creating a supportive environment, and prioritizing their well-being. Her approach to leadership is rooted in the concept of servant leadership. There is no doubt, Agata’s programming background has shaped her leadership style too. “I understand people's needs because I come from the same position as they do. I try to stay close to the team and make sure they have a calm environment to work in. I know how important it is to protect the team from external pressures because I've had such leaders at Columbus who cared for me. Now, I see myself in that role.” 

Balancing the roles of developer and manager is now part of Agata’s everyday work life, but it wasn’t always easy. “The biggest challenge for me was learning to delegate tasks. I tend to take on some projects work I could easily assign to someone else. It’s a lesson I constantly remind myself of.” 

How about Agata’s favorite moments as a manager? She takes great pride in watching her team members grow and evolve. “I love seeing how people in my team develop. When someone starts unsure of their skills, and then, after some time, I hear other managers inviting them for their projects – it’s incredibly satisfying.” 

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Photo: Agata and colleagues, Columbus Poland

Advice for aspiring women in tech

Believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to show your talents and skills.

Agata, as a female leader in the tech company, fosters a supportive work environment where everyone feels empowered. When asked what advice she would give to women who want to develop in the IT industry and pursue a leadership path like hers, Agata responds emphatically: “Believe in yourself. Don’t be afraid to show your talents and skills. Many people struggle with imposter syndrome, but you need to overcome it. Too many brilliant ideas go unshared because people are afraid to present them.” Her answer is simple yet powerful. According to Agata, by being confident and assertive, women can break down barriers and achieve their goals. 

Agata admits that she, too, has struggled with this and continues to work on it. “We, as women, often tend to hide our talents and are overly unsure of ourselves. We need to free ourselves from that and show what we can do. I’ve been through it, and I’m still working on it.”

Agata’s personal experiences play a crucial role in advancing these values within her team and beyond. Through her leadership approach, she is helping to shape a tech industry where all employees feel valued and respected.

Looking ahead

Agata is excited about the future and looks forward to continuing her journey at Columbus Poland. Her priorities are the continued development of the Censhare team and her own managerial skills. “I hope we continue to grow as we have been, that we keep facing positive challenges and learning opportunities. And most importantly – I hope we never get bored!” 

Given Agata’s track record, we can expect many more inspiring successes from her and her team in the years to come. We look forward to following her journey!

Maybe you will be our next success story? Check out our open positions to find your next adventure. 🚀

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