Hello, my name is Sotiris and about one year ago I started working at Owiwi as a Lead Developer. One year later, I realized that this has been a dream come true. I met amazing people, learned a lot of new stuff and had the chance to work in an environment where people share the same passion and the same perspective about the world.
I can go on and on about what impact Owiwi had on me but that’s not the purpose of this article. Instead I want to share some of my experiences during my first year here in Owiwi.
Working in an environment with values
Owiwi has six fundamental values: Integrity, Empathy, Openness, Zeal, Legacy and Individuality. To be honest and based on previous experiences, I never thought that you could feel the values of a company in the everyday life of the office. Thankfully that is not the case with Owiwi. I met people who value their relationships with their fellow employees and respect their emotions, their opinions and their personality. We have a constant passion and enthusiasm to try even harder in order to achieve our goals and we care about making the world a better place. That is why we have our values (and our favorite Italian plumber) on our walls
Fun environment
I can’t remember leaving the office without being a little happier than I came. Even during the most difficult days the atmosphere in the workplace remains positive. The key variable for that is the mutual respect we have for each other that makes conflict a beneficial procedure for the company. An enjoyable environment is what motivates everyone to work harder.
It’s ok not to know everything
Sometimes I find myself facing issues that are out of my control and knowledge. This would normally cause me anxiety and pressure, but here in Owiwi I feel that I have the flexibility to take a step back, take a closer look at the problem, research and come up with the best solution.If you want to adapt to a new situation you have to be open to changes and new experiences. It is now clear to me that in order to do agile work, you have to be agile and this is what Owiwi is all about.
Be Bold / Take Initiatives
Another great thing here is that I always feel encouraged to take initiatives. Getting a lot of responsibilities from day one can be very stressful but having the trust and the support of the whole team takes the pressure away and has a very calming effect on the employee. Furthermore, the “thinking big” mentality of Owiwi fascinates me even after being here for a year now and inspires me and the team to go the extra mile.
Leading by example
Finally, the most important thing for me in Owiwi is the “leading by example” mindset. Our founders are working constantly to improve and help Owiwi and every member of the team to thrive. It is essential for a company to have leaders that do more than talking. At the end of the day, it is by making choices and actions – right or wrong – that helps us become a little better that we were yesterday.
Chasing your dreams is neither a fast nor easy task. For me, doing the job that I love with people that share the same passion has always been a dream of mine. There is nothing more rewarding than achieving your goals, setting new records and looking back at the hard work and where it led you. For those of you who are still searching for your next best workplace, do not give up! Embrace the importance of values and to connect to a human level. When you are led by values, it doesn’t cost your business, it helps your business.
