Excellence Ioanna Archimandriti, in your skills, knowledge and abilities. Authenticity, with respect to your values, opinions, identity as well as desires, emotions and fragilities. Purpose, the ultimate goal of what you do, exceeding yourself and your loved ones. Which of these three evolutionary driving forces of the leader do you want to respond to more in the future than you already do today?
«I like all three – and therefore they are equally important to me. Striving for “excellence” has been key during the various stages of my career. Purpose fueled my drive and the desire to have impact on others. Although I have always been aligned with my own identity and my personal values, I feel I can do more on authenticity especially with regards to talking about emotions or also admitting concerns [shortcomings]. I’ve made the experience that being more open can also help others to be more authentic, reveal their true self and ultimately unleash their full potential».
In this regard, what is one action you could immediately take?
«Dare more: to reveal yourself, to speak up, to raise your hand».
In a scenario of widely-spread deep authenticity, what would be different in yourself, in the bank you work for and in Ticino?
«In any community, the authenticity of its members fuels development, innovation, progress, inclusion and attractiveness. As for myself, I would probably let my emotional weak points show a bit more».
What makes you genius, superhuman?
«I’m not a genius».
What makes you human, instead?
«Caring immensely for others and wanting to have a positive impact on the people around me».
I hand you this mirror. There is just you and your reflection. If I were to look at you as you are doing, with your eyes, what would I see differently that I don’t see from out here?
«Actually, I do hope you see what I see. Lots of positive energy. The strong desire to have an impact. Maybe you would also see my concern that I might not have enough time to drive positive change the way that I would like to».
Looking in the mirror, what don’t you see or don’t want to see about yourself?
«I talk to myself so much that I know me very well. But honestly, Gerardo, I don’t spend much time on myself. Though I would like to find more time to see friends and maybe also to meditate or practice mindfulness – at least occasionally».
What, about yourself, gives you joy?
«I think of myself as an honest person who cares deeply about others».
What, about yourself, annoys you, instead?
«I do have a tendency to try solving everybody’s problems».
So, why don’t you spend more time on you?
«I am a working mother of three in a dual career household, I simply do not have the time, maybe in the future».
The biggest secret or vulnerability of your life: which one would you choose to share with an audience and why not the other one?
«Neither one, I would say, and I think that is ok too – some things are just very personal».
What does it mean to you being one of the first two female members in the Global Business Committee of the bank you work for?
«This really means a lot to me – it recognizes that our people are our most important asset and emphasizes the importance of Human Resources as a key function in the bank. This makes me really happy».
In your opinion, what does it mean to us, instead?
«It’s a clear sign that we as an organization care for our people».
Would you move to Ticino to live and work?
«I would, I like it a lot».
Why?
«In its own way, Ticino is more vibrant than the other two Swiss financial hubs. It’s also well connected – although something should be done about the airport».
According to a recent study made by Gallup, the world’s unhappiness index rose from 25% to 33% in the last fifteen years: what is, in your opinion, the one ultimate reason for these 640 million additional unhappy individuals?
«Covid, wars and poverty may be reasons. But I think the ultimate reason is increasing human isolation: people are driven apart, there is less direct and personal interaction. One would expect that technological progress would have led to more time for ourselves and for human connection; instead people seem to be carried away, constantly trying to achieve more, want more and do more. Ultimately, we seem to have busier lives and we ended up doing even less for ourselves».
From your point of view, what is the one change that would have the most positive impact on this index?
«Eliminating poverty, finding ways to reallocate wealth worldwide».
Acting as a leader, being a leader, feeling inside as a leader, training the leader in you: what is your order of importance?
«For me the order would be: acting, training, feeling. “Being” would be last, as it’s the natural consequence».
Please take a moment to imagine a corporate leadership team lacking team work, care, trust, open mind, courage, vision, authenticity: as head of HR, what’s your leadership development strategy and which decisions and actions do you take to improve?
«This team would be a disaster, and, honestly, those leaders should be replaced. A shared vision can often help to restore trust and improve open-mindedness and team work. As for the aspects of courage and authenticity, I would consult with expert coaches to work with them».
Let’s talk about selfishness and altruism: being selfish for altruistic reasons or being altruistic for selfish reasons, which one do you choose?
«For me, the reason behind is paramount so I choose being selfish for altruistic reasons. I would prefer being altruistic for altruistic reasons though because I can’t relate with selfishness at all».
It’s your lucky day, you found Aladdin’s lamp! Unfortunately, it grants you one selfish and one altruistic wish only: what is it that you truly want for yourself and for the world?
«Health for myself. Eliminating poverty for the world».
Close your eyes please and go back to that moment you sobbed your heart out and visualize it: those tears, if they could talk, what would they say to you?
«Stop crying, there must be something you can do about it».
With your eyes closed, please go back to that moment you laughed out loud and visualize it: these happy tears, if they could talk, what would they say to the sad ones of the previous question?
«You see…life is beautiful…there is always a way!».
Please keep your eyes closed…imagine your soul takes flight…it is now flying in the air: where does it land?
«In a happy, secluded place…on a Greek island…next to the sea».
I give you a magic wand, prepaid to grant you one specific wish: what new quality you gift to Ticino’s leadership of all areas, not just politics, which you don’t see today? It does not matter if you have limited exposure to the region, your point of view as an outsider is valuable. The previous guests of this column have already answered team work, care, trust, open mind, courage, vision and authenticity.
«I would encourage them to be more assertive in their storytelling and showcase what they and the region have to offer thus creating even more visibility and expressing Ticino’s full potential».
You get to choose the title of your own interview…
«I will think about it and come back to you».
What color this interview is?
«A bright one…it reminds me of the sunshine…yellow».
What value did our chat have for you?
«I really enjoyed it. Positive useful reflections on many subjects: leadership, inner-self, the others and Ticino».
Please take the mirror back. In conclusion, what do you whisper in the ear of your reflection?
«You need some rest!».
And in that of who is reading this right now?
«You know what? I have to be honest…I don’t like being in the spotlight at all, and I am better “live” (big laugh)».
