In the shape of...

Flash Interview with Sofia Columbano

C — In your work, in which situation is the shortest path not the best way to connect two dots?

SC — When the path represents individual growth. When someone asks for your help, it is usually faster if you do it yourself. That’s the shortest path but it is also the way in which the other person learns less.

Or the other way around, when you ask for help, it may be easier to accept someone solving the problem for you. However, that doesn’t help you grow. In such situations, the long way is preferable because it is the path of teaching/learning, even if it is tougher (and it usually is).

C — Which geometric figure has less to do with you? Why?

SC — I think I’m going to say the square. Simply because I don’t like seeing myself as someone “squared”.When I was younger, I had the “reputation” of being stubborn, very “squared”. I think life taught me a lot in that sense and I gained sides beyond the four of the square. I believe the most important thing is to find a balance, stop being “squared” but at the same time not having too many sides, but I haven’t found that balance yet.

C — In our industry, which challenge would you put at the “squaring the circle” level?

SC —Perhaps not at the “squaring the circle” level, and I believe we don’t have that just in our industry, but I would say that finding a way to keep people motivated in their work is a big challenge. I’ve felt that over the past year, and I feel like it is something we are constantly preparing. Currently, we live in a culture of exploration, trial-error, “I’m going to try in order to understand if this is what I want to do”. It’s great and we certainly learn a lot that way, but it can be ungrateful for those welcoming us.

C — Do you believe plans drawn with a ruler and a square gauge are too perfect? Why?

SC —This question is trying to get at something else but when people talk to me about drawn-out plans my first thought takes me back to my Descriptive Geometry classes which I loved!
And those were perfect, not too perfect.

Throughout my professional path, I learned (at some cost) that perfect is the enemy of good.
Plans drawn out to the millimetre are great when they are presented. However, as things roll-out, we understand their innumerous flaws.
Thankfully, today to make plans we turn to the compass and free-hand drawing, in addition (or instead of) to the ruler and square gauge.

We are more flexible and more adaptive to changes that come as plans take place. In projects, I think it’s important to have the ability to correct the initial plan as we get to know new variables to the equation, whether regarding the value we want to deliver or the stakeholders.

C — If Celfocus were a geometric figure which would it be? Why?

SC — I’m in between a circle and a trapezoid.
The circle because it represents Celfocus’ growth. We are a team built up of people with a strong sense of union, focused on reaching goals and overcoming the challenges that come along. This attitude allows us to grow in a spontaneous and natural way, individually and as a whole. I think the circle represents that expansion well.

The trapezoid, not because it is similar to a cut triangle but because of the juggling all of us have to do on a daily basis with our clients. Regardless of the work methodology, we have all been in situations in which we must be able to come around and find a solution for the customer’s problems (and consequently ours) the best way for all.

C — What statement would you like to make for the celebration of our Icosagon year?

SC —The circle is seen as a representative of supreme perfection, and the more sides a polygon has the more it looks like a circle. I don’t believe our goal is to reach perfection (because I don’t think it’s possible), but I believe we work every day to do better than the day before.
It’s been great being a part of Celfocus’ path over these 20 years. I was lucky to have worked with people with a great sense of team spirit and I think that’s one of Celfocus’ values.

I believe great places to work are places where union and the will to do good work are truly present and I am proud to be part of a company with those values. Of course, they aren’t enough, but those values are basic to overcome the challenges and difficulties we face. A lot will change on our path to the Triacontagon year (and beyond), but I hope the Celfocus community continues to want to learn and grow in a sustainable way.